Question about maternity pads

[NCPuffin]

I am currently 31 weeks pregnant and stocking up on supplies for after the birth. I use reusable pads for my period, which is light/moderate, and plan to use reusables for the postpartum time too. Could anyone give me an idea of how heavy their flow was and how long you bled for?

[hugoagogo]

Very heavy for the first week. Then more like a normal period for another week or 10 days. Then a 3-4 more weeks fairly light.
I use reusables too and I think you might want to use a pack or two of disposables for the first few days just in case you end up staying in hospital longer than you think.

[Mymouthgetsmeintrouble]

Very bad , i used some 18 inch postpartum reusables and feel in the early days they were definately needed after a few days my usual pads were fine

[TeddyIsaHe]

I would start off with a pack of disposables to judge how heavy the bleeding is. You don’t want to have to keep getting up constantly to change your pad. Mine was hideous for about 5/6 days, then a heavy period for a week, then light bleeding for a week or so after that.

[anothermama]

I'd definitely say get some disposables for the first week or so. I had very heavy bleeding for about 10 days - not really comparable to a period at all. I wouldn't have wanted to deal with reusable pads along with everything else! Then I had more normal period bleeding for a further 6 weeks.

[Redteapot67]

You need the soft pads which look like cotton wool packed together as you might end up with stitches and believe me you don’t want them snagging or catching on anything!!

[CoolGirlsNeverGetAngry]

Like that scene in The Shining when the lift doors opened. But I was lucky in that it seemed to calm down quickly and was more like a period. Can’t remember how many packs I went through but I definitely needed more than i’d originally stockpiled.

[DryHeave]

Changed pad at every wee for several weeks to minimises risk of infection.

[notstamping]

Before I gave birth I thought I'd be fine with a few packs of bog standard always or body form but got some Tesco maternity pads just in case.

So glad I did. Not so much because the bleeding was so heavy but because they were far comfier, softer, thicker, padded, etc. Much nicer on my sensitive area!

Also was advised by midwives to change pad every time I went for a wee to reduce chances of infection.

For the first week I got through about five packets of maternity pads with 30 pads in each packet.

[3stonedown]

For the first 5 days I went though 2 maternity pads (as 1 wasn't long enough) every 3 hours 🙈but a normal period after than for 2 weeks

[grace7]

I bled for 3 weeks, quite heavy day 1/2/3 more like a normal-light period from day 4. I think I used one 20-pack of maternity pads, then switched to normal period pads.

[strawberrry]

I put some maternity pads in my hospital bag that were thin and packaged like a normal pack of sanitary towels. The midwife laughed and brought out a pack nearly 4 times the size, containing towels the size of bricks and let me have them! Basically don't waste your money on the little dainty ones, definitely get the bigger ones xx

[MombieMumbles]

My baby was born on Monday and I've gone through 6-7 maternity pads per day thus far. Hubs went to buy supplies and came home with heavy flow night time pads (supermarket brand) and they are good. I've found today I've only needed 4. Flow is up and down so it could all change tomorrow but my advice would be to stockpile!

[Thishatisnotmine]

Old school Kotex pads. Really thick, really comfy. Dealing with reusable pads, even when used to them, is just something ylu dont need to add to the first few days.

[NCPuffin]

Thanks for all the replies! I have bought two reusable pads that I will be able to use afterwards as night-time pads, and a pack of Natracare maternity pads. Only got one pack of ten initially, as I want to try them out before buying them in bulk.

[Harebellmeadow]

Benefitting from all the answers on here and have topped up my stock from 2 packs of massive brick maternity pads to 5. However this may only be enough for the first week, depending. Also stocked up on breastfeeding pads and nappies are on their way. Not as environmentally friendly as OP but will make up for it somehow. And post partum want as little stress as possible.

[haribosmarties]

With my first I bled really really heavily for a couple of weeks then lighter flow for another few weeks.
This time ive bled much less.
But both times I used those really thick maternity pads from supermarkets mostly for the cushioning... found it really helped with the bruising and sitting down etc all the padding was invaluable with my first when id had stitches

[Thursdaydreaming]

My experience seems to be different to everyone else's, I also have a light/medium flow for my period and post partum had bleeding like a heavy period, but no crazy flooding. That was for a week, then light for a week. I bought six packs of maternity pads and only used two of them. I got some of those massive hospital pads and didn't use any!

[CoolGirlsNeverGetAngry]

Just a tip- I ended up over buying packs when things calmed down a bit so you can donate them to a local food bank if you end up with too many packs.

[doodlejump1980]

Omg, the bleeding. You will need more maternity pads than you ever think is necessary. You will stand up and flood. You will shift a tiny bit in your seat, and flood. One pack is not enough. I ended up with two pads at a time to catch everything. (Emergency c section, twin birth). I bled continuously for 10 WEEKS post-partum. Good luck, but seriously, you’ll get through that one pack you’ve bought on the first day.

[MaverickSnoopy]

Mine was hideous with my first and I went through about 2 packs in the first 24 hours. I was having to double up each time. Bleeding lasted 5 weeks but lessened from week 2.

My second was better actually and I didn't need as many pads as I had. Bleeding was heavy for first 4 days and was gone by end of week 2.

[Herja]

First time was like the nightmare period everyone dreads for a week and a half, then a normal heavy period for a month, then a lightish period for another 6 weeks...

Second time was heavy period for a week, lighter period for 4 weeks. That would have been fine for reusables, not a chance with the first - I was flooding every time I moved. Bed mats are good too.

[twobambinos]

I think even if you don't have a heavy bleed after delivery it's nice to have the big thick pads for sitting on you will be bruised and you may have stitches.

I bought some of the green chemist ones maybe two packs of them and two or three packs of kotex night nice and thick to sit on. Plus they don't stick to anything. I'd rather have them in the bag than be sending someone out for them because you really will have enough to distract you.

[twobambinos]

Sorry i didn't answer your question. My flow is medium light I would say usually and I bled for about 6 weeks or maybe 8. The bright red bleeding would taper off then id over do it with a long walk and it would start up again. The heavier bleeding wasn't as heavy as some have described but was still heavier than my normal flow for the first week. And bigger wider pads than usual will also save on the washing of your clothes. I'm due around the same time as you op let the countdown begin

[Oscha]

Honour Your Flow do post partum reusables which are absolute bliss OP!

[BlueMoon33]

I bought 3 packs of boots maternity pads and used them all up really quickly, bled a lot more than I thought I would. Ended up ordering some natrucare off amazon next day delivery and used those up fast too, these were expensive. The boots ones were good and also sent my other half out to Morrison’s for their own brand comfort incontinence pads which are pretty much the same as maternity pads. Used some sanitary towels and they felt like they were rubbing me raw, I think some bamboo reusable pads in the later weeks would be really nice.