Final answer:
Afterbirth pains, or afterpains, are the pains experienced by women after childbirth caused by uterine contractions as the uterus shrinks back to its pre-pregnancy size and expels the placenta.
Step-by-step explanation:
Afterpains (afterbirth pains) are pains experienced after childbirth, specifically option b).The term afterpains refers to the discomfort that some women experience after the delivery of their baby. These pains result from the contractions of the uterus as it works to return to its pre-pregnancy size and to expel the placenta and any remaining fetal membranes.
True labor contractions are the regular contractions that immediately precede childbirth; these do not stop with rest or hydration and become increasingly intense and frequent over time. The pain of labor itself can be attributed to myometrial hypoxia during contractions, but afterpains are particularly due to the uterus contracting following the birth. These pains are sometimes compared to menstrual cramps and can vary in intensity.