Why Do I Experience Abdominal Pains Twenty-Plus Days After Giving Birth?

Abdominal pain several days after childbirth may be caused by uterine contraction, cold exposure, poor emotions, lack of exercise, etc. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly for diagnosis and treatment. Here are some possible reasons:

When a mother feels pain in her lower abdomen after childbirth, she may be able to feel a hard and distinct spherical mass in her abdomen by touching it with her hand. This is the uterus contracting, and this normal uterine contraction is medically referred to as postpartum involution. Severe postpartum uterine contraction pain is most commonly seen in mothers who have had multiple births or a short delivery process. If there are no other complications, no medication is required. Generally, the pain will disappear naturally in 3-5 days after childbirth. If the pain is severe, the mother can take painkillers or apply a hot water bottle or hot salt bag to the lower abdomen for warmth. If medication is taken, breastfeeding should be suspended.

If the mother is exposed to cold or the abdomen is exposed to wind and cold, it may lead to blood stagnation and poor qi and blood circulation. Keeping the abdomen warm or gently soothing the body may provide comfort.

Negative emotions such as excessive sadness, anxiety, or anger can lead to liver qi stagnation and blood stasis, resulting in abdominal pain.

Some mothers may experience lower abdominal pain, discomfort, and even low back or tailbone pain due to prolonged standing, squatting, sitting, or lying down after childbirth without sufficient changes in position, which can lead to blood stasis.