Krysten: feeling much better after using Cramp-Ease just after her birth.
Birth is only the beginning...

Congratulations on the birth of your baby!  You have probably already spent time thinking about how you will care for this new member of your family, and probably even perfect strangers are ready to give you advise.  However, it is important to know how to care for yourself, too.  The period after birth can be full of surprise even for very experienced mothers.

Cramping or after-birth pains
After the baby is born, the organ that nourished your little one throughout pregnancy, the placenta, detaches and your uterus begins the process of healing and replenishing itself.  Just as you had contractions in labor which led to birth, you will have contractions afterward which prevent excessive bleeding and eventually help your uterus return to its normal size.  If this is your first baby, you may not even notice these contractions, but if you feel your uterus soon after birth, it will be about the size of a grapefruit in the middle of your abdomen, and should stay firm.  The more babies you have, however, the more likely you are to feel afterbirth contractions as strong cramping which can be quite painful.

After birth pains are caused by the alternate tightening and relaxation of your uterus.  They are usually the worst in the first hours after birth, or during breastfeeding, though if you have had several babies, you may experience discomfort for the first few days.  The pains are made worse by a full bladder, and may feel stronger when you breastfeed.
Helpful herbs:
•Raspberry tea- can be sipped throughout the day.
•A dropper full of Blue Cohosh tincture in water several times a day.
•Mix 1oz. Cramp Bark, 1/2oz. Blue Cohosh, and 1/4oz. Hops and brew in one quart water.  Sip this mixture to                relieve cramps and promote sleep.

The flow:
You will have a discharge similar to a menstrual period after birth.  This flow is called lochia.  It will be heaviest in the first few hours after birth, but lightens up after that.  At first, you may gush when you stand up after lying down a while, and may even pass a few clots.  Besides being messy, this is not a cause for concern.  Your flow will change from bright red right after the birth to a darker or brownish red to a lighter pinkish color by the end of the first week.  By two or three weeks, you may only have occasional spotting, or a whitish yellow tinge.  If you over exert yourself, your flow will probably pick up temporarily, but should decrease with rest.  It should smell no worse than an old period.

Comfort Measures:
•Use incontinence pads (such as Attends or Serenity) or a baby diaper for the first several hours following the                 birth-they are larger and tend to catch gushes better.
•Use a towel on the bed over a disposable blue pad.  This will keep you from having to change the whole bed                  should you leak while lying down.
•Slide a towel or chux under you to use like a diaper when you first get up after lying down for a long time.
Krysten experiences heavy cramping after each of her births (this was birth number 8). She was prepared this time with an herbal formula from TriLight Herbs called Cramp-Ease. We also use a heating pad after the birth for some relief.
Comfort Measures
  • Rest and keep your bladder empty.
  • Apply hot packs to your abdomen, especially when you breastfeed.
  • Try 200-400mg. Ibuprofen (same as Motrin or Advil) every 4-6 hrs.
  • Lie face down with a pillow under your           abdomen to supply firm pressure against your uterus.  Initially, this may hurt worse, but relief follows as your uterus is forced to stay contracted.
  • Tight girdle tight bicycle shorts ofter provide   relief.
Mom's Postpartum Care