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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

... to not buy a whole pack of sanitary towels for this?

65 replies

MakesXmasCakesWhenStressed · 22/12/2011 08:59

Had my 36 week appt with the MW earlier this week and she said that if my waters went to put a sanitary towel on so they could check the fluid, but not to use an 'Always' pad as they were too absorbent.

Well, as a Mooncup girl I don't have many sanitary towels in the house, just a few 'Always' that I keep for guests who get caught short (yes, I am that considerate). Post partum I was going to use maternity pads, then switch to reusable sanitary towels.

So am I being unreasonable to not want to go and buy an entire pack of STs just for the one I'll need when my waters break and also - why is it bad that 'Always' are so absorbent? Are they that much better as a brand that any other brand ST would be better? Is there a recommended towel for one's broken waters?

I should have asked the MW all this, I know, but I was tired and a bit dazed by the stream of information and missed my opportunity to ask, so I'm hoping, as I am now full term and likely to experience this fairly soon, that there is a well informed MNer who can help...

OP posts:
HettyAmaretti · 22/12/2011 09:01

YANBU if she says no Always then so be it. A maternity pad will be fine.

mrsjay · 22/12/2011 09:02

well this is a different thread for this time in the morning Grin do you have any non moon cup friends /relatives you can borrow 1 from , ? but tbh i would but maybe nighttime ones instead of maternity pads for afterwards and just use 1 for the midwife when you need it ,

mrsjay · 22/12/2011 09:03

oh and they do a check on the fluid on the pad with a stick doodah to see if its waters that have broken i can only imagine if always are too absorbent then the fluid will be absorbed ,

Original poster
MakesXmasCakesWhenStressed · 22/12/2011 09:05

Oh, I have a bunch of maternity pads - I can just use one of those can I?

Bizarre - I would have thought a maternity pad would be far more absorbent than a ST, after all, it has a larger volume to deal with, surely...?

And I like to break the mould mrsjay Hmm - nah, it's just something that's been bugging me, especially since I keep hallucinating damp patches whenever I've been sitting ro lying down for a while!

OP posts:
Lizcat · 22/12/2011 09:05

I would use a maternity pad for waters breaking. Afterwards those big soft maternity pads where bliss after the havoc that had been created I think a regular pad would have not given me enough padding.

ObiWanWithBellsOn · 22/12/2011 09:06

FJust use one of your maternity pads.

It might be entirely academic anyway. Your waters might not break until you are ready to push, or they might just go in a gust and be over and done with.

On the other hand they might trickle for hours, so you'll need a whole pack!

CadleCap · 22/12/2011 09:07

YABU
A pack of tesco value ones are about 14p!! You can also use them up once the post partum bleeding slows down. Also - you periods may change after the baby and your mooncup may leak for the fist day or so.

Congratulations btw Smile

HoneydragonAteCliffRichard · 22/12/2011 09:07

Well you can get sanitary yield for 99p, and one packet did me. I used a couple so I could go out when my waters leaked with contractions and some after. I used my mooncup post partem after the first week and was fine

ObiWanWithBellsOn · 22/12/2011 09:07

God - the number of mistakes in my post Xmas Blush. I'm going back to bed...

shrinkingnora · 22/12/2011 09:08

Er, I needed three maternity pads and a bath towel on a bin bag just for the five minute car trip to the hospital when my waters broke with my first. Just saying.

HoneydragonAteCliffRichard · 22/12/2011 09:08

Sanitary towels not yield

mrsjay · 22/12/2011 09:08

YOu know its been so long since i had a baby i forgot about all the ikky stuff and maternity pads etc etc , the joys of pregnancy eh Grin

Robinredboobs · 22/12/2011 09:09

YABU for not spending what, 80p on a pack of basic sanitary towels? If youre anything like me I went through about 20 packs of them in the 3 months after my baby was born o.0 (and yes I used maternity pads for about 3 weeks too)

Original poster
MakesXmasCakesWhenStressed · 22/12/2011 09:09

Thanks for the advice, but I wasn't planning on using a Mooncup for a while once the periods restart hence the resuable STs.

Didn't realise you could get supermarket own ones so cheap - will pick some up tomorrow when I collect the turkey. I can always use the leftover ones to mop the floor with Xmas Grin

OP posts:
KittyFane · 22/12/2011 09:10

Is it to do with gel v absorbent fibres in pads?
'Always' are full of gel stuff so not suitable?

OP splash out, get a new pack of maternity pads I believe you'll need quite a few when your waters break

KittyFane · 22/12/2011 09:11

and after the baby is born

Original poster
MakesXmasCakesWhenStressed · 22/12/2011 09:11

And yes mrsjay - the bowling ball strapped to my front is sooooooooo much fun atm

I actually enjoyed pregnancy until about 2 weeks ago... I was definitely BU.

OP posts:
Bunbaker · 22/12/2011 09:12

Just use a maternity pad - no need to buy a sanitary towel.

halcyondays · 22/12/2011 09:13

I'm guessing it's not so much always as a brand but any of the Ultra thin type towels that she wants you to avoid, the ones that have a staydry layer on top, or whatever thy call it. A maternity towel would be fine as it's like a very big old style sanitary towel, or any cheap own brand sanitary towel. It wouldn't really involve any significant financial outlay.

BalloonSlayer · 22/12/2011 09:13

Erm if your waters break you will get through your entire stock of maternity pads in an afternoon, so it's a tad naive to think you will need just the one.

However, there is no guarantee that your water will break before labour so I wouldn't bother at all if I were you. You can use your maternity pads should the need arrive, but you mayl need a willing someone to pop out and get some more.

NoGoodAtHousework · 22/12/2011 09:15

I'd recommend maternity pads as I got told off for using sanitary towels as they were too absorbent and they couldn't really tell how much/what had come out! They were less comfortable but it was what they preferred!

harassedandherbug · 22/12/2011 09:15

I've got Tesco maternity towels and they were about £1 a packet. I bought fat comfy ones. Had a sweep yesterday and used one afterwards and they're nice and comfy!

Never heard of not using Always if waters go though.

Original poster
MakesXmasCakesWhenStressed · 22/12/2011 09:16

Balloon - ah, I have many minions I can send out to buy essentials! (Well, two, at least ;))

I'm starting to wonder if I should be sitting on a towel to protect the sofa now!

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 22/12/2011 09:16

My waters broke first thing in the morning. 12 hours later I'd used my entire supply of maternity pads and half of the hospital cupboard supply - I was changing them every half hour. You also need loads afterward. About three times as many as you think you will.

PomBearAtTheGatesOfDoom · 22/12/2011 09:17

My waters went with a pop and a gush and flood of Biblical proportions, I needed buckets not one little towel Xmas Grin Xmas Grin If they go then you'll know it...
and now you're suitably reassured... just get some "night time" cheapy ones from the supermarket. If you need to use one, chances are you'll need more than one, if only to protect the car seat on your way to the midwife.