Articles
Postpartum care: What to expect after a vaginal birth
Urination problems
Sore breasts and leaking milk
Incontinence
Tender breasts
The postpartum checkup
Content
Vaginal soreness
Vaginal discharge
Contractions
Leaking urine
Hemorrhoids and bowel movements
Sore breasts
Hair loss and skin changes
Mood changes
Weight loss
Postpartum checkups
Sore breasts and leaking milk
Incontinence
Tender breasts
The postpartum checkup
Content
Vaginal soreness
Vaginal discharge
Contractions
Leaking urine
Hemorrhoids and bowel movements
Sore breasts
Hair loss and skin changes
Mood changes
Weight loss
Postpartum checkups
Contractions
You might feel contractions, sometimes called afterpains, for a few days after delivery. These contractions often feel like menstrual cramps. They help keep you from bleeding too much because they put pressure on the blood vessels in the uterus. Afterpains are common during breastfeeding. That's because breastfeeding causes the release of the hormone oxytocin.
To ease the pain, your healthcare professional might suggest a pain reliever that you can buy without a prescription. They include acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others).
