Afterbirth Contractions | Afterpains | Postpartum Contractions

So, you were pregnant, and may or may not have had aches, pains, or complications. You go into labor and it was intense. The contractions during labor can last hours. Then the pain of childbirth comes along and you think you’re in the clear when it comes to pain, but nope, a lot of mom’s experience afterbirth contractions or cramps, also known as afterpains or involution.

Why These Afterpains / Afterbirth Contractions Happen

These contractions happen because while you are pregnant, your uterus expands so much to accommodate your growing baby and they help your uterus shrink back down to its pre-pregnancy size, or pretty close to it. Your doctors and/or nurses will come in to check that your uterus is shrinking by pressing down on your lower stomach, pretty hard might I add,  and that in itself is painful and very uncomfortable.

My Experience 

After delivering my second child, I breastfed him about 3 times before I started to feel the contractions and they hit me, hard. I don’t remember having these afterbirth contractions when I had my first child, but I think I did. I breastfed right after delivering  both of my boys. My nurse said that breastfeeding causes these contractions — because it triggers the release of oxytocin, a hormone, and I knew I just had to push through. My contractions subsided by the time we left the hospital, but they were definitely not pleasant while they were happening.  After all, I just pushed a whole human out of my body, what’s another few contractions?

I’ve read and was told by the nurses that sometimes with the first child you may not experience these afterpains, but with each child the afterpains increase. If you don’t feel these contractions, be glad, lol. Not feeling these pains doesn’t mean your uterus is not shrinking or healing.

You can take pain meds, but just be sure to check with the doctor on which meds are okay to take, especially if you are breastfeeding.

Did you experience these afterbirth contractions or have any pains? Are you pregnant and I just made you a little nervous? Don’t be…they won’t last forever! Answer these questions in the comments section!

Check out these posts for more:

Bloomlife – 6 types of contractions

TodaysParent – Involution – How to deal with postpartum afterpains

VeryWellFamily’s – contractions after birth and pains

Until my next post…