Serum vitamin D levels and postpartum afterpain in multigravida women

Postpartum afterpains are cramp-like uterine contractions commonly experienced during the first days after childbirth. Although vitamin D has been linked to pain perception, evidence regarding its association with postpartum afterpains remains limited. This study aimed to examine the association between maternal serum vitamin D levels and postpartum afterpain intensity in multigravida women.

In this analytical cross-sectional study, 105 multigravida mothers were assessed for afterpain intensity at 6, 12, 18, and 24 h postpartum using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured within 24 h after delivery using ELISA. Routine hematological indices (white blood cell count, platelet count, hemoglobin) were obtained from standard postpartum CBC tests. Statistical analyses were performed using R and SPSS software, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Lower serum vitamin D levels were associated with higher afterpain intensity during the first 6 h postpartum. Pain scores decreased between the first and second measurement points. Mothers with blood type B reported higher pain scores at the first and second time points. Additionally, afterpain intensity at the second time point showed an association with the type of labor.

This study identified an association between lower serum vitamin D levels and greater postpartum afterpain severity in multigravida women during the early postpartum period. Given the correlational design, causality cannot be inferred. Further longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to determine whether optimizing vitamin D status may help reduce postpartum afterpain and support maternal recovery.