Post-birth contractions

The uterus will shrink back down to its normal size after delivery. The contractions are called postpartum pains, or simply afterpains, and are similar to period pain.

Ingela Ågren

Read time: 1 m

Verified by Ingela Ågren

Certified Midwife

Post-birth contractionsPhoto: Preggers

Contractions are completely normal and help the scar where the placenta was attached to the wall of the uterus to heal. This is often more uncomfortable after a second or third delivery. Breastfeeding can bring on afterpains because the baby’s sucking triggers the release of the hormone oxytocin, which in turn causes contractions. You can take non-prescription medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease the pain and it may be soothing to have a heat pack on the tummy.

Ingela Ågren

Verified by Ingela Ågren

Certified Midwife

Phone

Hundreds of related articles, podcasts & more waiting for you in the Preggers app.

Download Preggers today.

10k reviews

More from Preggers

Read popular and relevant articles.
Breast milk – this is how it works

Breast milk – this is how it works

Breasts change already in the early stage of the pregnancy, getting ready to nurse the baby that’s on the way.

Breastfeeding the very first time

Breastfeeding the very first time

Straight after birth, the newborn baby tends to be awake and alert for about two hours, which is when the baby breastfeeds for the first time.

Getting the baby to latch on to the breast

Getting the baby to latch on to the breast

It is important that the baby can latch on to the breast properly as this will reduce the risk of sore nipples, uncomfortable breastfeeding, engorgement, insufficient amounts of milk and slow weight gain in the baby.

The first days of breastfeeding

The first days of breastfeeding

The breastfeeding pattern differs from child to child. Some babies sleep almost the entire first day after birth, while others want to feed straight away and often. Although your priority is not on yourself, make sure to sleep when the opportunity presents itself, eat well and ensure that you get enough fluids.

Bleeding and discharge after giving birth

Bleeding and discharge after giving birth

After giving birth, it’s normal for the mother to bleed, for up to eight weeks. Most of the bleeding is from where the placenta comes away from the wall of the uterus. This happens to all women, whether the birth was vaginal or by caesarean section.

40 weeks pregnant

40 weeks pregnant

My organs are good to go and I have harnessed enough subcutaneous fat (15% of my body is now fat).