Pain after birth

Pain after birth can have several causes:

• afterbirth contractions -- your uterus contracting back to its pre-pregnancy size -- normally stronger and more uncomfortable for mothers who have already given birth than for first-time mothers
• recovery from a Cesarean birth
• an episiotomy incision
• hemorrhoids, which are common after birth and can cause itching and burning.
• muscle aches and back pain.

Pain after birth is not quite the same as pain after surgery or the kind of pain you feel when you have suffered an injury. This is the pain you feel as your body recovers from childbirth, a natural process, and one with delightful results -- your baby. Even though you feel pain, you may feel motivated to move beyond it to care for and enjoy your baby.

Still, there is no reason for you to suffer through your postpartum period in pain. When your pain is well controlled, you can be more active, sleep better, eat better, and feel more positive. If you are recovering from surgery, controlling your pain can help you get well faster.

With the treatments available today, most pain can be well controlled with little or no risk to you or your baby.

Pain medicine

It is a common misconception that pain medicine is addicting. In fact, studies show that addiction is rare in a person taking medicine for pain management.

Your nurses can't measure the pain you're having. Use a pain scale to tell them how you feel. Talk to the staff if:

• you are in pain
• you have questions about controlling your pain when you get home
• the pain medicine isn't working

Comfort measures

Along with advising you about pain medicine choices, your health care provider may suggest these or other comfort measures:

• cold packs or ice packs on the episiotomy incision to provide relief
• heating pads, massage, and relaxation

If you feel that your pain complaints are not being addressed, or if you have difficulty talking with the nurse assigned to you, you may ask to speak to the charge nurse.

Related Links

Your hospital stay

Cesarean birth recovery

Medical interventions during labor and birth

First published: 10/04/2002
Last updated: 06/19/2003

Reviewed by: Allina Patient Education experts