Cramping After Giving Birth—A Necessary Part of Your Recovery


Once you've given birth to your little bundle of joy, you will probably experience some cramping from time to time. This is normal. Your uterus is steadily contracting (tightening) and shrinking in order to return to its pre-pregnancy state. A full bladder can impede this process by causing the uterus to become boggy. Therefore, in the first days after giving birth, it is especially important to keep your bladder emptied. A boggy uterus can lead to severe bleeding and even hemorrhage. Your nurse will check your uterus to make sure that it feels firm, and if it doesn't, she will massage it to encourage the uterus to contract. This can be uncomfortable, but it's an important part of your care. You can also do your part by emptying your bladder frequently.

If you are breastfeeding, you may notice more cramps as breastfeeding naturally stimulates the uterus to contract due to the release of the hormone, oxytocin. As a result, many women who breastfeed recover more quickly than women who do not breastfeed. Just as with menstrual cramping, postpartum cramping can be made more bearable with the use of a heating pad or hot water bottle. Your doctor may also prescribe ibuprofen or a similar prescription medicine to manage the pain. Cramping is a normal part of the postpartum process, and before you know it, the cramping will be gone. However, if your cramping gets worse, be sure to notify your physician.

References:

Isley MM, Katz VL. Postpartum care and long-term health considerations. In: Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, et al, eds. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 7th ed. Philadelphia PA: Elsevier; 2017: chap 23.

Norwitz ER, Mahendroo M, Lye SJ. Physiology of parturition. In: Resnick R, Lockwood CJ, Moore TR, Greene MF, Copel JA, Silver RM, eds. Creasy and Resnik's Maternal-Fetal

Medicine: Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2019: chap 6.