Re: [ozmidwifery] Afterbirth pains

[Belinda Maier]

Good luck to you all. I experienced bad after birth pains that too were no only just like labour but worse I think because you just want to adore your baby and watch the family etc but the pain is distracting. I found pon nstan and hot pack were the most effective (I have had four babies and this seemed the best). My fourth was a water birth which was heaven in that the feeling you get in your bum passed really quickly and the crowning which with the others I found the worst sensation was like a bubble. I remember clearly that feeing of wow is that it and then lifting my baby up! The water birth did not help my after birth pains but may have if I got back in later and it was warm. Try that or a warm bath. My kids loved the bath in the lounge, but as for being at the birth my second would have fussed over me and I worried that I would get flustered or short with him so as luck had it he was at school with the third and in bed listening with the fourth. My eldest did not want to know about it which really bothered me. my midwife told me in her experience (which is quite extensive) it is not uncommon for siblings to not want to be involved and even wanting the baby to be washed first. What I found was that when my third baby was born my daughter (the eldest) took a while before she would even look at him. After a while my mum slowly undressed the baby in front of her and without saying anything and she started looking then touching and by the evening wanted him in her bed. She still loves him to death and tends to favour him (he is nearly six she is 13). With our fourth the children were all in bed and heard his birth. They got up of their own accord when they heard their sister cry (and her mother father grandparents etc!!) and fell in love with her straight away.  I guess families are all different  go with what suits yours but dont stress if it isn't the reactions  you visualise now. Enjoy, I'm jealous!!! Belinda ----- Original Message ----- From: Marty & Tina To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, February 22, 2003 8:57 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Afterbirth pains Dear All,   I am hoping you may be able to help.  I am expecting my fourth baby in approx. 2 weeks & need some advise.  I usually experience killer afterbirth pains that often seem worse than the labour.  For this birth I am attending the Birth Centre here in Brisbane & am planning to birth in the water & birth my placenta physiologically.  I have not had a physiological third stage in the past (nor a water birth) & I was hoping that this will make a difference to the afterbirth pains.  The acupuncturist I have been visiting has also suggested Chinese herbs (usually used in labour) to assist with this pain also... have any of you used Chinese herbs for something like this & if so, are they safe for breastfeeding?   Also, my husband & I are planning on having our 3 other children at our birth & I was thinking that if all goes to plan that they may like to touch the baby as he/she crowns & is born.  Do any of you experienced with siblings being present find that siblings want to be this involved?  I want my children to find this experience as wonderful & totally natural as I do.  I cannot put into words the way I feel about birth (as a woman, mother & midwife)... but would somehow like to share these overwhelming feelings with my children.  Do many of the children want to get into the birth pool / tub during the labour &/or birth?  I know all children are individual (my three certainly are)... but would not like to limit them & the way they would like to participate just because I have no idea about the normal reactions of children  I have never met anybody who has had their other children present at their births & I have never cared for any woman in that situation  (in fact almost everyone I tell of our plans look at me as though I've stepped from another planet).   Any suggestions welcome.... (I hope my questions make sense.... brains getting a bit foggy in the lead up to birth).   Tina H.