What can I eat after a vaginal delivery to relieve stomach pain?

Sep 11, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhang Lu

Introduction

In general, after a vaginal delivery, you can eat foods such as millet porridge, pumpkin, apples, red dates, and spinach to help relieve abdominal pain. You may also take medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, acetaminophen tablets, motherwort granules, new hua granules, and postpartum recovery granules as directed by a physician. Additionally, it is important to keep the abdomen warm after childbirth to avoid cold exposure, which could worsen abdominal pain.

Generally, after a vaginal delivery, foods such as millet porridge, pumpkin, apples, red dates (jujube), and spinach can help relieve abdominal pain. Medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, acetaminophen tablets, motherwort granules, Xinshenghua granules, and Chanfu'an granules may also be taken under a doctor's guidance. Detailed explanations are as follows:

I. Foods

1. Millet Porridge

Millet porridge has a soft and mushy texture, making it easy to digest and absorb without increasing the burden on the gastrointestinal tract. After a vaginal delivery, gastrointestinal function is relatively weak. Consuming millet porridge can supply energy to the body, and its mild nature can soothe the gastrointestinal tract, indirectly alleviating abdominal pain caused by uterine contractions. Additionally, it helps maintain normal intestinal motility and prevents bloating from worsening abdominal pain.

2. Pumpkin

Pumpkin is rich in pectin, which protects the gastrointestinal mucosa and reduces the impact of external stimuli on the intestines. Abdominal pain after vaginal delivery may be accompanied by mild gastrointestinal discomfort; consuming pumpkin can alleviate irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa. Moreover, the carbohydrates in pumpkin provide quick energy to aid body recovery, indirectly helping to relieve abdominal discomfort.

3. Apples

Apples are rich in vitamins and dietary fiber. Dietary fiber promotes intestinal motility and helps prevent constipation after childbirth. Increased abdominal pressure due to constipation can worsen abdominal pain. Eating apples can improve constipation, reduce pressure on the abdomen, and provide essential vitamins to support body recovery and relieve abdominal discomfort.

4. Red Dates (Jujube)

Red dates contain iron and various vitamins, helping to replenish blood and energy postpartum and improve physical weakness caused by blood and energy deficiency. Adequate blood and energy support bodily functions, including the proper regulation of uterine contractions, thereby reducing abdominal pain caused by abnormal uterine contractions. Their mild nature is also gentle on the gastrointestinal tract, making them suitable for consumption after childbirth.

5. Spinach

Spinach is rich in iron and dietary fiber. Iron helps prevent and improve iron-deficiency anemia after childbirth, which can weaken immunity and potentially worsen abdominal discomfort. Dietary fiber promotes intestinal motility, prevents constipation, reduces intestinal irritation, and thus assists in alleviating abdominal pain.

II. Medications

1. Ibuprofen Sustained-Release Capsules

This is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that inhibits prostaglandin synthesis. Postpartum abdominal pain is often associated with prostaglandin release during uterine contractions. By inhibiting prostaglandin, these capsules can reduce pain caused by uterine contractions, relieve abdominal discomfort, and the capsule formulation is convenient to take with a prolonged duration of action.

2. Acetaminophen Tablets

This medication has antipyretic and analgesic effects, acting on the central nervous system to inhibit pain signal transmission. Taking it during postpartum abdominal pain can effectively relieve pain symptoms. It has minimal gastrointestinal irritation and is suitable for women with weakened postpartum physical conditions.

3. Motherwort Granules

Motherwort granules consist of motherwort (Leonurus japonicus) and have the effect of promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation. Taken postpartum, they can enhance uterine contractions, help expel lochia remaining in the uterine cavity, reduce irritation caused by retained lochia, and thereby relieve abdominal pain caused by lochia accumulation while promoting uterine recovery.

4. Xinshenghua Granules

This preparation contains herbal ingredients such as Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum chuanxiong, and peach kernel (Prunus persica), which promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, and relieve pain. Taken postpartum, it can improve pelvic blood circulation, promote uterine contractions and lochia discharge, reduce pain during uterine contractions, alleviate abdominal pain, and support postpartum recovery.

5. Chanfu’an Granules

Composed of ingredients such as Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum chuanxiong, and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), Chanfu’an granules have the effect of removing blood stasis and promoting new tissue growth. Taken postpartum, they can facilitate the discharge of retained blood from the uterine cavity, regulate uterine contraction function, reduce abdominal pain caused by blood stasis, and help the body return to a normal state.

In daily life, it is also important to keep the abdomen warm after childbirth to avoid cold exposure worsening abdominal pain. Avoid consuming raw, cold, or spicy foods. If abdominal pain persists or is accompanied by abnormal bleeding, seek medical attention promptly.

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How soon after a vaginal delivery can one receive a massage?

By 2-3 days postpartum, the mother's physical strength begins to recover, uterine contractions gradually stabilize, and the amount of lochia decreases and changes in color from bright red to light red. The body's blood circulation and metabolism also gradually return to normal. At this time, appropriate massage, such as uterine massage, can help promote uterine contractions, assist in expelling remaining lochia, and reduce the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.

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What causes a meaty bulge at the vaginal opening after a vaginal delivery, and what should be done?

Spontaneous delivery refers to natural childbirth. In general, the presence of a fleshy mass at the vaginal opening after natural childbirth may be related to factors such as vaginal wall prolapse, uterine prolapse, vulvitis, vaginal polyps, or genital warts. Management options may include anal sphincter exercises, use of a pessary, medication, and other treatments. It is recommended to visit a hospital to determine the exact cause and follow medical advice for appropriate treatment.

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How to Determine if Sexual Intercourse is Possible After a Vaginal Delivery

Under normal circumstances, the main methods to determine whether sexual intercourse is possible after vaginal delivery include observing lochia discharge, examining wound healing, assessing physical fatigue, confirming urination and defecation, and monitoring body temperature. In addition, psychological status should also be considered when determining whether sexual intercourse is appropriate after vaginal delivery; if anxiety, aversion, or other emotional issues are present, intercourse should be postponed accordingly.

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How long does it take for hemorrhoids to shrink after a vaginal delivery?

If hemorrhoids are severely congested and edematous during vaginal delivery, with the development of thrombosed external hemorrhoids or prolapsed hemorrhoidal masses, and if constipation recurs postpartum due to reduced physical activity and improper diet, the recovery period for the hemorrhoids will be prolonged. Under such circumstances, local tissue repair is slower, potentially requiring 4–8 weeks, before the hemorrhoidal masses gradually shrink and retract following the absorption of the thrombus and complete resolution of the edema.