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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:
LynetteScavo · 22/12/2011 09:18

If you send a man to get maternity pads, expect him to get completely the wrong thing. DH bought back Always, which really rubbed on my stitches.

Original poster
MakesXmasCakesWhenStressed · 22/12/2011 09:21

Lynette - well, mine is fairly well trained to buy exactly what is written on the shopping list, but in all fairness we have had a couple of bread-related mis-purchases when he's done a shop, so perhaps I'll send my mum out instead - thanks for the timely warning! Xmas Grin

And Pom - now I'm really paranoid! No warning signs before the biblical flood?

OP posts:
coraltoes · 22/12/2011 09:22

My waters dribbled so a maternity pad was plenty to stem the dribble and allow the midwife to check what had come out (!!). No need for a San pad in my opinion...just crack open that pack of mattresses if the need arises. I did leave a towel on my car seat for the trip to hospital but my waters didn't burst...more just dribbled with the odd gush (I thought I had peed myself...oh dear)

BalloonSlayer · 22/12/2011 09:24

When I started stressing about my labour starting with the waters breaking (long story) to the midwife running the antenatal course, she said it was "very unusual for labour to start that way." Hmm ---> the labour of my sister, two friends, one of the other women on the antenatal course during one of the sessions, and later on, indeed, myself did start that way.

But what I am trying to say is - that midwife might be right and there is no need to worry about towels.

Wizzywuf · 22/12/2011 09:25

You could have surfed on the wave created when my waters broke Xmas Grin but I had stocked up on incontinence pants (the tena lady ultra absorbent ones) which worked a treat

ballstoit · 22/12/2011 09:27

With DC1 and 2 my waters were broken for me so I didn't realise how much water there was. DC3's popped (quite literally, DSis heard them go from across the room Blush) and I realised why the MW had suggested a maternity pad would be needed. Walked upstairs to change my clothes and soaked 3 tea towels on the way, as well as my knickers and trousers, and still left a trail on the top few stairs.

She did arrive about half an hour later though, so maybe that's why waters drained so quick...I'm imagining that nearly fully dilated leaks quicker than 2 cm (?)

Always pads absorb everything so it's more difficult to check the colour of water for meconium (sp?).

What colours your sofa op? DC3 took us all by surprise with her speedy arrival and I did have to scrub the sofa the next day. Luckily it was navy blue, but I don't think a paler one would have recovered.

paulapantsdown · 22/12/2011 09:29

Don't use Always for anything around the before or after childbirth. They are totally different from other pads in that they have gel in them like nappies. They suck out any moisture in the fanjo area and impede your healing. Using them actually sort of 'sucked out' my stitches. The midwife I saw said that she would like them banned for post birth women and they can do such harm.

knittedbreast · 22/12/2011 09:31

when my waters broke i just sat on a towel. a bath towel i mean.

you dot need to buy anything, more for after birth id say

ClaimedByMe · 22/12/2011 09:31

I would just use maternity pads, how many maternity pads have you got, I needed about enough packs to build a house and my dp never got the right thing when I needed more

TheSecondComing · 22/12/2011 09:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheScaryJessie · 22/12/2011 09:33

You will be gently bleeding for up to 6 weeks after birth. You will make use of the rest of the sanitary towel pack. Don't worry!

Bunnyjo · 22/12/2011 09:52

With DD, I soaked through 3 maternity pads, my clothes, 2 maternity bed sheets and a bath sheet just doing the 3 min trip to hospital! With DS, my waters just trickled. I wasn't told not to use an Always pad, so I just stuck one of those on before going to labour ward.

With DD, they gave me an internal and, after soaking through their bed, they were quite happy my waters had gone! With DS, the midwife just said as it was my second she trusted me when I said my waters had gone so she didn't give me an internal or check the pad Xmas Hmm. She did, however, give me a scan as she was convinced he was breech, despite me showing her where his bum and legs were, thankfully he wasn't breech and she agreed that he legs were where I said they were - well they had been prodding my ribs for the last few hours Xmas Grin

Bunnyjo · 22/12/2011 09:55

Oh and just to add, my waters went before the start of labour both times.

WilsonFrickett · 22/12/2011 09:55

Afterwards those big soft maternity pads where bliss after the havoc that had been created

Liz never has a truer word been spoken on the internet. Never.

Original poster
MakesXmasCakesWhenStressed · 22/12/2011 09:57

ballstoit - scarlet, with machine washable removable covers... it's more the cushion underneath I'm concerned about!

Am loving all the waters breaking stories - an unlooked for bonus of starting this thread. Am trying really hard to keep my sense of humour despite the discomfort, tiredness, hormonal weepiness etc :D Responses like this help lots!

OP posts:
WilsonFrickett · 22/12/2011 10:03

While we're on the subject, is it true waters can rot your car seats, or is that a big fat old wives tale?

EnjoyResponsiblyIfSleighFlying · 22/12/2011 10:05

A sanitary pad? Roads, forests, houses and factories were swept away in the deluge that was my waters breaking.

OP I'd suggest a bucket rather than a pad.

I admire your stance on re-usables but be kind to yourself for the first few days at least because you're going to be too knackered/sore/smothered inn babylove to need more on your plate.

Good luck xx

BalloonSlayer · 22/12/2011 10:16

Grin at A sanitary pad? Roads, forests, houses and factories were swept away in the deluge that was my waters breaking.

angelpuss · 22/12/2011 10:20

Mine started with a trickle, so the maternity pad was fine. I'd been told not to use Always either.

They broke abit more as we pulled up at the hospital, but luckily had put a mattress pad thing on the carseat and then went with a gush as I was standing waiting to be let into the maternity ward!! Soaked everything including my shoes and socks and continued to trickle until DS was born (when there was another big gush too - DH said it was like a wave!!!)

But the maternity pads were definite bliss afterwards Xmas Grin

MrsDmitriTippensKrushnic · 22/12/2011 10:28

If it helps, my waters didn't break with either DS1 or DS2 until I was well into established labour and in hospital. They broke at home with DD, but after the initial gush they just leaked a little when I had a contraction - no biblical flood, no ruining my Mum's car seats (although I did have a plastic bag and a towel down) It was all fairly undramatic I'm afraid. Smile

BertieBotts · 22/12/2011 10:31

If you are used to a mooncup BTW and don't like disposable sanitary towels, I recommend you don't bother using maternity pads at all, get some washables, use folded muslins/prefolds/flat cloth nappies, or at the very least buy the organic/unbleached/natural ingredients only maternity pads. (These or these or there might be others) Because however sensitive you are normally, times this by about 50. I couldn't even stand the maternity pads after 24 hours or so.

(Actually probably don't use muslins. It might be a bit grim using one as a burp cloth and wondering idly whether that mark is a baby poo stain or a blood stain.)

A waterproof mattress protector is an excellent investment, by the way. Can be transferred to a child's bed when potty training too.

BertieBotts · 22/12/2011 10:33

Although am I missing something - is it unsafe (or too stretched or something?) to use a mooncup while pregnant? Surely that would be the best way to get a sample.

StealthPolarBear · 22/12/2011 10:36

Am I the only whose waters broke and then that was it? Or is that not possible? I remember them going while I was being sick, great big puddle on the floor, then I got changed and went to hospital. Don't remember any more coming out - or was I just too far gone to notice or care?

banana87 · 22/12/2011 10:37

What an odd request from the MW. There's no guarantee your waters are going to break at home but I'd just buy maternity pads you intend to use post partum and if your waters do break then pop one on. No need to wear them daily though.

BertieBotts · 22/12/2011 10:37

Ohh ignore me I am being stupid! Blush