Maternity Pad Options

[ButteryJam]

Hi,

Planning to get the hospital bag ready, so the question is which maternity pads or option do I go with?

I've had a good read on other threads online and it looks like there are two main suggestions for the 1st week or two when bleeding is heavy:

1. Buy something like TENA Protective Underwear (so a pad and disposable knicker combined together)
   

1. Buy cheap knickers (2 sizes up) from Primark, and use that with maternity pads (that have wings), and chuck the whole thing in the bin.
   

Price wise I suspect it probably works out around the same.

So which one would you go with? Which one would be more comfortable and easier to manage? Thanks! :)

[ilovepowerhoop]

I just used pants I had and maternity pads or night-time sanitary towels with them. No need to throw pants away as they washed in the machine.

[xigris]

I went for the BIIIIG cheap knicker option and night time sanitary towels (with wings) for each of my 3 births. That worked pretty well for me but I did find that I needed to use 2 pads at a time for the first 24 hours or so. However, my waters broke 12 hours before I went into active labour the third time (they only went with the first 2 when I was pushing). Sanitary / maternity pads did NOT suffice! If I have a 4th then I would definitely get some tena lady pads. I went through about ten pairs of knickers and pyjama bottoms as every time I moved I'd gush more amniotic fluid. In the end I gave up and sat commando on an incontinence pad ! A friend whose waters always go first really rates tena lady. Best of luck!

[Msbluesky32]

Those disposable pants are really uncomfortable. I bought some and tried them on (just to see what they would be like) and I felt like I was dressed in a nappy...but it was both tight and baggy all at the same time (tight around the tops of my legs but hideiously baggy everywhere else). You are much better off getting full briefs a few sizes up. I'm a 12 and bought size 16. Tesco basics pack of 5 are only £2.50 and are a much better fit than primark ones. I found the primark ones too tight around the leg. Tesco have a baby event on at the moment and their own brand maternity pads are on offer (2 packs for £1.50). They are all much the same. Best of luck!

[milkwagon]

I only had to chuck my Asda knicks once when my catheter disconnected and it was just easier to throw the whole lot away. You'll be wanting to change your pads 1-2 hourly anyway - for hygiene if nothing else, especially if you have stitches. I bought pads from Boots and used two at a time for the first week. Oh, also I slept on an old dark coloured towel on top of an inco mat for peace of mind. Not worth spending out on Tena imo.

[WillYouDoTheFandango]

I'd go with the big knicker and maternity pad option. The big cushion in knickers effect is very welcome. I also found that I was suddenly sensitive to normal pads after birth so would recommend proper maternity ones. I liked boots' best. You won't need to bin the knickers though, I'm still in mine 15 weeks later! So much comfier than normal knickers.

[cupcake78]

Big cheap pants and plenty of maternity pads to begin with. Double/triple the pads up and change before and after each feed for the first few days and you should be fine! Breastfeeding always increased my bleeding a lot for the first few days. You don't need to chuck your pants out each time just change and wash them regularly then get rid when your back to normal.

Good thing about maternity pads is you can put some witch hazel on them and keep them cool (fridge) to ease bruising and aid healing.

[racheld33]

I bought very cheap Asda black knickers and the thickest maternity pads that boots did. This was great for me. Knickers washed fine. Changed pads every hour or two in first few days. When my mum bought me the thinner maternity pads I hated them, they were so uncomfy (I was sore and swollen for a good couple of weeks) and then thick pads were lovely and cushioned!

[2Labradors]

I agree with the cheap big knickers option and maternity pads.

With my DD I bought disposable knickers, got the largest available and they were awful. Like Msblue said they were both tight and baggy and felt like a nappy. I got some 16-18 knickers from asda and doubled up the maternity pads with my DS. That was so much better. Will do the same this time. I wore those knickers for quite a while afterwards, they were really comfy.

[stargirl1701]

I used the Tena Lady pants and found them brilliant. Just so comfortable.

[MrsHoarder]

Cheap knickers. The recommendation you get cheap knickers is only because if you have light-coloured expensive underwear on then you might be miffed at the 2-3 pairs that end up in the bin. You certainly don't need to bin the knickers at every pad change and irrespective of blood loss if you have stitches you will want to change your pad every hour or two.

I think I tossed one pair and the rest are now period knickers.

[StuckOnARollercoaster]

Is the general consensus to go a bigger size than what you were before pregnancy? I was a 12 and not sure whether to get 12, 14 or 16... Am still wearing my pre pregnancy 12 knickers as they are styles that sit under the bump.

[worsestershiresauce]

I didn't buy any special knickers and didn't have to bin any. If you wear thick maternity pads and change them regularly you should be ok.

Buy proper maternity pads though don't just rely on thick normal pads, as the top layer on normal ones catches on stitches and is really irritating.

Finally, look for maternity pads with minimal plastic backing. I found natracare really good. Plastic backing is sweaty and delays healing. Also, if you can bear it, try sleeping on a towel occasionally without a pad or knickers to allow air to your nether regions to speed up healing.

[Gooseysgirl]

Kotex nightime pads and M&S cotton Lycra black humungous knickers. I ended up with EMCS and I lived in those pants for 2 months afterwards. The Kotex are meant to be great if you have stitches from tearing..

[Gooseysgirl]

Re knicker size... I am normally a 12-14 and got size 18

[dinkystinky]

Cheap knickers - 2 sizes up from normal - and big mattress like pads for the first couple of weeks - use sanitary ones as Kotex etc have wax coating on top which is not recommended. Go for towels with wings once the lochia dies down.

[MrsHoarder]

Kotex might be fine with a cs, but not if you have stitches down below. Get maternity pads (usually kept with bf stuff in shops).

[HPsauceonbaconbuttiesmmm]

Cheap knickers and always ultra night on the bottom with nice chunky maternity pad in top. Throw knickers only if stained, which was rare with this combo.

I usually get size 14 m&s knickers as like them a bit slack. I bought size 18 m&s full briefs which come up to my belly button! Been wearing them since about 34 weeks and they are sooo comfy.

Bought really cheap tesco ones last time, most of which I still have, but love the way the mands ones come right up.

[ButteryJam]

Thank you everyone! :) Looks like the vote is for knickers two size up with maternity pads.

For maternity pads, can you recommend any that have wings and are good for heavy bleeding?

[Gooseysgirl]

I don't remember any of the maternity ones having wings... HPsauces suggestion sounds like a winning combo

[KatAndKit]

I bought some pads with wings, I think they were from mothercare. They were fine. I also used the supermarket ones without wings.

I didnt' have to chuck away any knickers (I went two sizes up) because I bought them all in black. Any leakage washed out fine. They have survived and are now used as comfy pants/period knickers.

[Msbluesky32]

I noticed mothercare do big winged ones, and also winged ones with aloe Vera... But I'd imagine the aloe could sting in certain situations...

[MrsHoarder]

I didn't use wings. Tbh in the first week I didn't even dare remove the backing so worried was I about them sticking to me and needing peeling off. They're big enough to not be able to move anywhere without wings.

[MrsHoarder]

Oh and I mostly used Boots own brand. They were fine for the job. You really need them to be cheap enough to be changed frequently.