Need advice on maternity pads

[charlie13032017]

Hello all!
I gave birth 3 weeks ago to my beautiful boy but ended up having an episiotomy (ouch!)
Took a little longer to start walking as it slightly opened but no I feel normal ish, managed to take a walk into town but these maternity pad are absolutely killing my episiotomy because they rub on it
My lochia has died down loads (still slightly there though)
Can I use smaller pads? Will that help?
I've been using Tesco and wilkos maternity pads but they're really beginning to irritate me!
Any advice to soothe and feel normal down there again will be highly appreciated

[PotteringAlong]

Put them in the freezer! Odd, but true...

[StillNoFuckingEyeDeer]

Boots do a slim version as well as the mattress-sized ones

[littletike]

Whatever you do don't be tempted to use any of the sanitary towels that have plastic backing (alldays etc) because they can cause an infection. Though if you can find some slimmer old fashioned towels they might work...

[octoberfarm]

I didn't use them in the end but everyone used to swear by regular pads drowned in aloe, and then frozen. I wish I'd remembered it!

[charlie13032017]

They only irritate when walking though, so will the ice thing still do the trick?
The ones I'm currently using are the ones that look exactly like the hospital use/give out.
My episiotomy is the one that's cut diagonally rather than straight down, so will they all kind of irritate it or will it be the pads I'm using?
Tbh I am glad I'm not in half the pain I was in when I discovered it had reopened but walking is such a chore when the pads rub against it

[ispymincepie]

Cloth pads! Honestly, even if you don't usually subscribe to that kind of thing, take a look at some. They are soooo soft and lovely, the only thing I'd use postnatally.

[ispymincepie]

Something like this
www.honouryourflow.co.uk/maxi-pads-uk-8-16-71-c.asp

[charlie13032017]

They do look like a great idea!
They say perfect for size 8-18uk but I'm mainly 4-6. Also, how often do you have to change them, won't I need a bulk?
I have to use reusable breast pads because I like the feel of them and the fact they're reusable rather than the other plasticy sticky ones you throw away

[gooseygander88]

Try witch hazel gel on the pad will help sooth any irritation xx

[ispymincepie]

If you look round that site there are many sizes depending on your size and flow. You might get away with just a couple. You can bung them in the machine with your usual washing a stick them in the dryer. You wouldn't regret it!

[ispymincepie]

*and

[sticklebrix]

Cloth pads or cheap folded facecloths, cut up towel etc. Anything cloth.

[WantToGoingTo]

Second freezer idea. Put some aloe Vera gel on them first. Literally heavenly. Or get always extra long 5 drops with wings. I used mat pads inside Tena pants for first few days, then moved to always extra long ones. But seriously, frozen with aloe Vera gel does the trick better than any painkillers and I had a godawful tear

[ElisavetaFartsonira]

Nothing to stop you using smaller ones, you just might have to change them more often. Maybe not even that if your lochia flow has decreased.

[Funnyonion17]

I've bought witch hazel cream to put on mine. Read it helps