Maternity pads, clothes after birth...

[Essie3]

Just been reading the hospital bag post, and I have questions of my own now! This is my first, due in 6 weeks.

Maternity pads - how many of these am I likely to need? I'm a bit clueless. Also, them disposable knickers that everyone seems to go on about - what's the deal there? Could someone explain this to me? (I used to be squeamish but at 34 weeks I'm beyond that now, so bring it on!)

Then clothes - what clothes do I pack for leaving the hospital? I'm not looking for fashion advice, but my maternity clothes, or my normal clothes - or will they not fit? And if they don't, what do I wear until they do?

[MrsMattie]

Bring a pack of maternity pads - your DH can get more if you need them. Disposable knickers - hmmm, I never bothered much with them. Just bought 2 6-packs of big, black cotton knickers. I bought a tracksuit to wear afterwards (i had a c-section though, so comfot was key!). Maternity clothes probably best if not - you are very unlikely to fit into your old clothes that soon after birth.

[dizzydixies]

take in one packet of pads, your dp can bring in more if need be BUT our hosp had them and I just used theirs both times

disposable knickers are usually worn for first wee while when blood loss is heavy after birth - I just bought cheap packet of big cotton knickers out of matalan or tesco and if they were bled on put them in the wash or bin - disposables might be easier in hosp but its personal choice

normal clothes will not fit, take in some matty clothes with elasticated waist or joggers or something

unless you're a lucky sod who pings back instantly but for most that doesn't happen within a few days

joggers etc were my lifesavers for a while, easy to pull on, easy to wash and dry when spat up on etc

good luck

[NatalieJane]

As many pads as you can fit in (I think I went through about 2 packs in 24 hours).

Don't get disposable knickers, go to the market/cheap shop, get the biggest granny knickers, much more comfortable, cheap enough to chuck away when finished with, and if for whatever reason you ended up with a CS, they are big enough to cover the scar.

And you will need maternity clothes for the trip home, as a rule of thumb, for the first few days you will be about as big as you were at 6 months (though obviously that can differ widely).

Good luck

[MrsTittleMouse]

Pads - you will need more than you think possible. But I'm assuming that your DP/DH will be visiting you and can bring in extras, so you just need to take in one pack to start. I hate disposable knickers and got some M and S black cotton ones in two sizes up from my pre-pregnancy size.
I found that I looked about 5 months pregnant after giving birth, so you will need whatever you wore then. DH brought me in under-the-bump trousers, which didn't work too well, as the bump was much softer (), but over-the-bump and the stretchy size-too-big stuff was good.

[NatalieJane]

God I am soooo slow today....

[Divastrop]

In my experience(i have 5 children),disposable knickers are uncomfortable and yuck,so i always got a couple of packs of cheap(like tesco or asda)big knickers.i also found maternity pads pretty pointless and preffered night-time sanitary towels for the first couple of days,moving on to normal towels after that.

as for clothes,it depends how youre doing in terms of weight gain etc.some women can leave the hospital in their pre-pregnancy clothes no problem.i myself took stretch jeans in 2 sizes bigger than my normal size as i knew i'd put on an excess 1.5 stone the last 3 times.

[Divastrop]

i took 2 packs of night pads to the hospital,and had a supply of about 6 packs at home ready.

[Essie3]

Thanks all. I'm convinced - especially after reading your posts - that disposable knicks are not necessary, and with Tesco selling them so cheap... (I bought a Tesco 6-pack of knickers recently and they're rubbish quality, practically disposable anyway!)

*Also, environmental point - surely plasticky knickers are worse to bin than fabric which will break down, however slowly?

[MrsTittleMouse]

I kept my enormous granny knickers for the next time round (which will be in 6 months ), so better than disposable that way too.
Hate to tell you, but it really is best if they're black, as you might well be bleeding rather a lot (and for several weeks).

[slinkiemalinki]

yes black M&S briefs for me in a size 14 (normally a 10) and always night time for the first few days followed by regular flow ones. I did read some people saying if you have perineal stitches they can catch on the plastic pads (ouch) but did not have those so cannot comment.
Definitely maternity wear I'm afraid, but your tum obviously goes down a bit.

[VictorianSqualor]

I took one pack of pads, but on obs ward the hospital had some i used.
You want over-the-bump clothes incase you have a CS, size depends on how big you are, I was MASSIVE (not exaggeration) and 6 days later I am fitting into a size 16 (was a 12ish pre-preg weight).
I bought cheap big black knickers from primark.

[Ambi]

Witch Hazel gel on the pads too, it stings a bit to start then oh so cooling on your sore battered bits - no-one warns you about the swollenness. But yes, I had black pants from matalan and lots of night sanitary towels for weeks.

[mellyonion]

handy hint!!! get some big, night time with wings heavy flow (but still thinnish)pads,(always ultra nights i found were good) and stick one in your knickers, then put the fat brick type pad on top.....the blood tends to sort of gush out if you've been laying or sitting down for a while, and this i found helped to keep any spillages and embarassing moments contained....

i also found those little sanny bags from the "feminine hygiene" isle handy to put your used pads in...again, if you need to change when you have guests then everything is hidden in your bin....oh the joys!! ha ha

good luck!! won't be long now.

[cmotdibbler]

And sort some clothes out at home too, so that if your're in hospital longer than you intended (or baby is prem and you end up in hospital with nothing but an overnight bag) your DH won't have to make decisions on what to bring you. DS arrived at 35 weeks. DH when asked to bring me my black joggers ignored the mat ones, and turned up with an elderly pair of size 12 ones - I'd been wearing a 14 before pregnancy...

[MrsTittleMouse]

I had a "going home" bag packed for me and for DD. It was in the car ready. Then when I was in hospital, DH realised that the car needed a service. You can guess the rest.
This is how I know that under the bump maternity trousers and pre-pregnancy T shirts are not a good look after giving birth.
(Luckily he brought in a selection of stuff for DD as one of the babygros was for a 6 month old baby).

[VictorianSqualor]

Oh also, dont forget nighties, I took in mainly pyjamas but after having a CS it's pretty hard to put them on, and make sure your dressing won isnt too short or everyone will see your butt.

[doggiesayswoof]

Hijack - I've read that midwives prefer you to use maternity pads so they can check the amount of blood etc. So I obediently used them with dc1, and nobody wanted to check!

So is it ok to use the normal night time ones like always or whatever?

[VictorianSqualor]

I'd use maternity ones personally, especially after the tons of blood I lost whilst feeding at some points, they are more absorbent than night time ones and therefore last longer.

[mellyonion]

i found i needed the proper maternity ones for the first 3 days or so...... i used the safety net always ones underneath, but obviously only changed the maternity ppad...the other one was there for "security"!

[mellyonion]

oh! and i second the maternity clothes for after.....you'll feel sooooo thin! but, will probably have a really good soft bump for a good few days/weeks/months after!

[Divastrop]

i only used night time pads because maternity pads were so long they stuck out the front of my knickers.however,i didnt bf so my 'flow' was probably more constant iyswim.i didnt think of that.

[VictorianSqualor]

Yeah, if you bf then you often get rather large erm deposits coming out as you feed, so bear that in mind.

[doggiesayswoof]

Thanks all. I like the belt and braces idea - will try the maternity pad on top of the one with wings...

Sorry for hijack Essie. As far as clothes go, I wore maternity clothes for about a month or so and then gave in and went and got some jeans etc in a bigger size. I was not back in my own clothes for about 9 months iirc

[calebsmum]

Loose clothes for after the birth, comfort not fashion prevails! I personally found disposable knickers quite useful for the first few days as I could rip them off instead of having to bend down and pick pants up off the floor. Cheap and padded sanitary towels work fine and are more comfy then the thin ones which rubbed my stitches!

[lihaze]

My sister suggested that I used incontinence pants, which was the best thing ever! (plus my pelvic floor wasnt as it was.... it saved me on one particular occassion )
So I used them for about a week after the bleeding slowed down moved onto maternity pads with big black M&S pants.
I found the maternity pads better than the regular ones as they are more comfy.