Afterpains
Jan 08, 2011
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Afterpains can definitely be a pain, but they do good work. Besides helping the uterus find its way back to its usual size and location, those contraction help slow normal postpartum bleeding. They’re likely to be more of a pain in women whose uterine muscles are lacking in tone because of previous birth or excessive stretching (as with a multiple pregnancy). Afterpains can be more pronounced during nursing, when contraction-stimulating oxytocin is released (a good thing, actually, since it mean your uterus is shrinking faster) and/or if you’ve had intravenous Pitocin (oxytocin) following delivery.
The pains should subside naturally within four to seven days. In the meantime, acetaminophen (Tylenol) should provide relief. If it doesn’t, or if the pain persist for more than a week, see your practitioner to rule out other postpartum problems, including infection.