afterpains
Uterine recovery cramps
Afterpains are the cramping sensations in the uterus following childbirth, caused by contractions as the organ shrinks back to its pre-pregnancy size.
They typically intensify during breastfeeding and tend to be stronger after second and subsequent births: The afterpains were worse with my third baby than my first.
Female reproductive organ
- involutionInward-turning process
- crampingInvoluntary muscle contraction
- contractionsShortened word forms
- endometriumInner uterine membrane
oxytocin · shrinkage · tightening · muscle · spasm · perineum · postpartum · postnatal
Mammary gland secretion
- nursingMedical caretaking profession
- oxytocinBonding neurotransmitter from hypothalamus
- letdownFailure to satisfy expectations
- sucklingUnweaned infant mammal
colostrum · engorgement · latch · feeding
Involuntary muscle contraction
- throbbingRhythmic painful pulsing
- achePersistent dull discomfort
- sorenessTender, painful sensation
- twingeBrief, sharp sensation
sharp · stabbing · discomfort · tenderness · pang · gnawing · intermittent · wavelike
uterus
Female reproductive organ
- involutionInward-turning process
- crampingInvoluntary muscle contraction
- contractionsShortened word forms
endometrium · oxytocin · shrinkage · tightening · muscle · spasm · perineum · postpartum · postnatal · multiparous
lactation
Mammary gland secretion
- nursingMedical caretaking profession
- oxytocinBonding neurotransmitter from hypothalamus
- letdownFailure to satisfy expectations
suckling · colostrum · engorgement · latch · feeding
cramping
Involuntary muscle contraction
twinge · sharp · stabbing · discomfort · tenderness · pang · gnawing · intermittent · wavelike · intense
healing
Restoration of health
- subsidingDecreasing in intensity
- diminishingBecoming progressively less
- ibuprofenAnti-inflammatory pain reliever
analgesic · rest · massage · breathing · relief · medication · midwife · self-care
- childbirthcontractions, labor, pushing, dilation, birth
- postpartuminvolution, uterine contractions, lactation, milk production, colostrum
- labor painscontraction, contractions, back labor, ring of fire
- after-afternoon, aftertaste, afterward, afterthought, afterword
after, pains, pain, painful, aftermath, afterlife, aftershave, aftershock, aftereffect