maternity pads... what and how many

[argylesocks]

I'm starting to think about the big 'bag pack' for the hospital and I know I need maternity pads, and a whole lot of them, but what exactly is a maternity pad? Is it something specific or just a super absorbent regular pad, like an overnight one? I've only seen maternity pads labeled as 'maternity pads' in Mothercare so I don't know if they're just trying to charge extra for what is essentially, a large sanitary pad you can get for cheaper at Tesco.

Can you just buy overnight, super absorbent pads or do they have to be specifically maternity pads? And how many do I need? Should I get regular sanitary pads for after the first week or so? How long will I need them?

Thanks :)

They are bigger than night pads.
I hated Mothercare ones. Liked Asda ones.
You probably need about a weeks worth of maternity pads and a couple of weeks worth of absorbent ordinary towels.
Having said that, I bought about 6 weeks worth, and only needed them for about 4 days.

Boots own maternity pads are cheap and comfy enough - you will need far more than you think! I went through about 4 packs in the first few days.

I was told off at the hospital by the midwife as I didn't take maternity pads but extra large normal pads. The midwife said that these can cause infection as the material is too plastic and not soft enough or breathable. I ran out of maternity pads after about a day and had send my embarrassed dad out to get some more!

Can't remember which brand but buy way more than you think you could possibly need!

maternity pads are available in most big supermakets - in the baby aisle normally.

They are basically giant sanitary pads which look horrific but are actually very handy given the amount of loss you have - and how tender you could be

I think I bought about 4 packs each time and then after that went to normal pads as the flow slowed

Definitely get maternity pads. They're thick and huge and ugly but you do need them in most cases. Lochia is nothing like a period. Get several packs and you can always go out for more. I used Boots ones.

I bled for 6 weeks in total. It seemed to go on and on and on.

Boots own, two packs was okay for hospital, then I had to get more. So 4 is probably a good starter amount?

that definitely answers the question, thanks :)

I haven't seen them anywhere but Mothercare but then again, I haven't really looked. I'll check prices at Boots and Asda.

I bought Natracare ones and I remember I bought them in bulk (10 packs) and couldn't believe that I would need that many but i did use them all. I recommend just buying them in bulk in advance. It's one less thing to worry about needing to go to the shops to get when you're at home with a newborn.

I remember the midwife in hospital telling me to wear two at once and I thought she was joking....but no, turned out it was a necessity!

I bled for 8 weeks but the last couple of weeks were quite light, more like a period. I switched to the slimline maternity pads after the first couple of weeks of really heavy bleeding.

The big ones are nice and soft and cushiony which is lovely is you have stitches.

Boots quite often do 3 for 2 offers I think, look out for those and stock up!

they feel a bit like having a sheep in your Knickers dont they ?, sainsburys i think they were good and quantity wise id say the same as everyone else , loads, apparently putting drops of whitchhazel oil on them helps heal after tears and stitchs, i never got round to it though seemed like it would sting!

Tescos ones were good and comfy for me and agree get more than you think you'll need. I bled for about 3-4wks afterwards

Got mine from Tescos and Boots. I got (and needed) lots . The big padded ones can be really comforting..... I had my first period 9 weeks after giving birth and continued to use maternity towels. Really wasn't up for Tampax....

Tescos sell massive thick ones for straight after the birth and then thinner ones for a bit later. I went through about three packs of the thick ones (more comfy with stitches) and three thinner ones. Don't know about other brands - the Tesco ones were fine for me.

Boots ones were good for me.

As for how many, take a guess at the amount you will need, then quadruple it!

ive never used maternity pads. Always opted for cheap sanitary pads and bought by the box load. First few days i used 2 length ways so they overlapped in middle and were longer and then moved onto 1 and then eventually to thinner towels.

I did read that you should avoid regular sanitary towels if you've had an episiotomy, just in case the adhesive on the back catches the stitches - ouch!

Wow, this is a revelation for me, I had a CS first time round and hardly had any bleeding so just used regular pads. Will go out and buy sh** loads of mat pads now as only packed regular pads.

Don't go too overboard though - I've got at least 4 full packets left over. I bled for at least a fortnight so I must have bought loads. I guess they'll come in handy when I finally get my periods back as I'm planning on getting a coil and I understand they'll be heavier with it.

'apparently putting drops of whitchhazel oil on them helps heal after tears and stitchs'

Thanks Pregalola, I know I needed some witch hazel, and I couldn't for the life of me remember what I did with it! Yes I put some on my maternity pads and it was such a relief!

I don't think normal pads are very good if you have stitches as the mesh cover can catch and pull on them.