Ask Dr Sears
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Ask Dr Sears is the trusted resource for parents
MENUMENU
  • Pregnancy & Childbirth
    • Pregnancy And Childbirth
      • Healthy Pregnancy
      • How Your Baby Grows
      • Prenatal Checkups
    • Pregnancy Concerns
      • Nutrition
      • Vaginal Birth After Cesarean
      • Managing Pain During Childbirth
      • Creating a Healthy Womb Enviroment
      • Gaining Weight
      • Headaches
      • Medications & Pregnancy
      • First Month
      • Second Month
        • 11 Most Common Physical Changes
        • Morning Sickness
      • Third Month
      • Fourth Month
      • Fifth Month
      • Sixth Month
      • Seventh Month
        • Growing Concerns
      • Eighth Month
      • Ninth Month
      • Tenth Month: Postpartum
        • Bonding With Your Newborn
  • Feeding & Eating
    • Feeding And Eating
    • Breastfeeding
      • Common Problems
      • FAQs
      • Rightstart Techniques
      • Special Situations
      • While Taking Medication
      • While Working
      • Helpful Products
      • Why Breast Is Best
      • Bottle-Feeding
      • Digestive Health
      • Feeding Infants & Toddlers
        • Food Allergies
        • Starting Solids
        • Obesity
        • Milk
    • Family Nutrition
      • The L.E.A.N. Program
      • AntiCancer
      • Brain Foods
      • Calcium
      • Cholesterol
      • DHA and Omega-3s
      • Facts About Fats
      • Fiber
      • Fish
      • Food Digestion
      • Food Labels
      • Foods For Sleep
      • Foods to Boost Immunity
      • Fruits
      • Grains
      • Iron
      • Nuts
      • Oils
      • Phytonutrients
      • Proteins
      • Recipes
      • Soy
      • Sports Nutrition
      • Sugar
      • Vegetables
      • Vegetarian Diets
      • Water Wise
      • Yogurt
  • Parenting & Behavior
    • Parenting And Behavior
      • Attachment Parenting
      • Discipline & Behavior
        • Bothersome Behaviors
        • Morals & Manners
        • Spanking
      • Mom-to-Mom Moments
    • Child Rearing & Development
      • Bringing Baby Home
      • Smart From The Start
      • Toys
      • Caring For Little Teeth
      • Walking
      • Toilet-Training
      • Sexuality
      • Fathering
      • Traveling with Tots
      • Down Syndrome
      • Virtual Office Visits
      • Bright Starts - Baby's Development Through Interactive Play
  • Health Concerns
    • Health Concerns
    • Childhood Illnesses
      • A.D.D.
      • Asthma
      • G.E.R.
      • Coughs, Colds & Sinus Infections
      • Medicine Cabinet
      • Baby Product Recalls
      • Aches, Pains, & Injuries
      • Vaccines
    • Sleep Problems
      • SIDS
      • Sleep Safety
      • Bedwetting
      • FAQs About Sleep Problems
    • Fussy Baby
      • Baby Wearing
      • Coping with Colic
      • High Needs Baby
    • Skin Care
      • Allergies
      • Insect Bites & Stings
  • A to Z Topics
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Wellness Institute
  • Home
  • Topics
  • Pregnancy and Childbirth
  • Tenth Month: Postpartum
  • Pain After Birth: Normal or Not

Pain After Birth: Normal or Not

The Causes of Pain After Birth

Even after birth the uterus must continue contracting to get back to its original size. Uterine contractions also help to pinch off the blood vessels in the uterine lining to control postpartum bleeding. For a few hours after delivery, these contractions may be regular and intense. They will decrease in frequency and intensity over the next few weeks. Pain after birth may resemble menstrual cramps or the Braxton-Hicks pain-after-birthcontractions you experienced in the final few months of pregnancy. They intensify during breastfeeding, since sucking stimulates the release of oxytocin. This hormone is nature’s way of contracting the uterus and stopping bleeding. Birth attendants often suggest mothers encourage their baby to suck right after delivery to help the uterus contract.

Afterpains are not usually very intense following a first delivery, but they will be quite noticeable after subsequent births. To cope with the discomfort, use whatever relaxation techniques worked for you during labor. This will help make breastfeeding more comfortable.

Become a Dr. Sears Certified Health Coach
August 8, 2013 January 27, 2015 Dr. Bill Sears
Dr. Sears Pregnancy Health Coach Certification
Dr Poo: The Scoop on Comfortable Poop

regular girl prebiotic fiber and probiotic blend for healthy natural balance

hyperbiotics Pro-Moms probiotics for expecting and nursing women

About Ask Dr. Sears

AskDrSears.com is intended to help parents become better informed consumers of health care. The information presented in this site gives general advice on parenting and health care. Always consult your doctor for your individual needs.

Recent Articles

  • Baby Sleeping Too Much: What is Normal?
    Baby Sleeping Too Much: What is Normal?February 20, 20190
  • Balancing Time Between Older Children and Newborn
    Balancing Time Between Older Children and NewbornFebruary 12, 20190
  • Babywearing Dads
    Babywearing DadsFebruary 5, 20190

Resources

  • Sears Parenting Library
  • Dr. Sears Family Newsletter
  • Dr. Sears Wellness Institute
  • Prime-Time Health

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • support@askdrsears.com
  • Contact Ask Dr Sears
  • About Ask Dr Sears
  • Dr. Sears Wellness Institute
  • Media Relations Information

© 2018 AskDrSears.com All Rights Reserved.