What did you use for bleeding after birth?

[JennyC520]

I'm preparing my hospital bag and after-birth stuff:)
So what do/did people use for the bleeding after birth?

Tena pants?
Tena pads?
Night sanitary towels?
Maxi pads?

I've read some blogs and some used Tena pants, some used night towels. What's more practical? Or is it more personal preference?
Just wanted to see what the majority of mums used before I went out and got a load of pads/pants!!

The biggest pads you can find. The tena pants sound like a good idea I'd go for it, or you can get disposable knickers from mothercare if you don't want to ruin the ones you have.

Ginormous old fashioned sanitary towels. I soaked them in witch hazel, put them in sandwich bags and kept them in the freezer (3rd degree tear)

I went ahead and got some Boots Mat pads...didnt realise they weren't individually wrapped, I wanted to do the padsicle thing.. guess it still works anyway! Might also get some Tena pads too... I forgot the possibility of incontinence...

Used Always and regretted it! Too hard, espec with stitches. Switched to big old bog standard mat pads and the relief was instant.

Tena pants then maternity pads. The pants were good cause you know there won't be any leaks! No matter what. I got a wee spray bottle and put witch hazel in it, a couple sprays on the pants/pad really helped with the pain!

Was it a hassle to use Tena pants? I saw on the packet that u can just rip them off and throw, but you still have to take off your trousers etc to put a new tena pant on right? seems like a lot of hassle.

So far I have 32 mat pads from Boots... hoping thats enough, and then change to regular pads... maybe!

Always Nighttime sanitary towels with wings.
I didn't like the big thick maternity pads , they felt like a nappy.

I only used the pants in the first couple days, while I was in hospital. I just wore night gowns as it was so warm in there.

Maternity pads with lavender oil helped it all health and stopped some serious leakage

Boots did a big thick maternity towel, and a thinner one for when the first week is over. Well, that's what worked for me. I needed the thick ones for the first 5 - 7 days, after which normal nighttime pads would have been OK - and that's what the thinner maternity ones were like. I used official 'maternity' ones since they were the same price and I'd read things about chemicals in normal ones. I was down to normal panty liners within 3 weeks though, and back swimming by 4 weeks.

Mother care maternity pads with wings. The thickness was very comforting in those early days.

Oh, and I bought 10 pairs of massive black pants from Primark. I wore them until baby was 3 months old! But they just sort of held in all the jelly belly wobble stuff.

Maternity pads with wings by Cottons (available online). 2 sets of wings, one set to fix to gusset of your undies and another set that fix to rear of undies to anchor them in. Comfy and practical and natural materials. Well worth the hassle of getting them online.

I used Asda little angels maternity pads during the day, and the huuuuge tens maxi mads for night time, then after a couple of weeks when the bleeding lightened up a lot, I just used normal sanitary pads (day and night ones)

ASDA maternity pads. They were so thick they felt like nappies but were the best I found - cheap and reliable.

Oh - and buy plenty unless you're happy to send DH out for more if you find yourself unable to drive post-birth...

I used tena pants and then night time always with wings after about five days. Used the pants to start with because they were comfier and felt more "secure" and I wasn't worried about leaks.

Entirely depends on what kind of situation you have got going on down there, stitches, soreness, bruising, bleeding etc.

I had bought a glut of big maternity pads and lots of witch hazel and many TENA pants etc. All went with me to hospital.

Had a small episiotomy which frankly never once created a problem with my three stitches, never felt sore or bruised and the bleeding was a month long but like a period for the first ten days then brownish gunk, nothing a regular pad wouldn't have held.

But reverse the situation to worse stitches, soreness bleeding and you'll need other stuff.

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

So far, I have 20 Boots Mat pads, and 12 Boots ultra thin Mat towels. I'm guessing this will only last me a couple days at most?
Im going to buy 1 pack of Tena pants to wear in hospital I guess, will be wearing night-dress so no need to take trousers on and off!

I know it depends on the person but how many Maternity pads (specifically) do you think I'll need to last me the 1st week at least? With baby coming, I don't want to overbuy this stuff just to not use it! I will use regular period pads after!

You'll likely need more. I think I had a pack of 48 and pretty sure I sent DP for more. I don't think I was a big bleeder either...

The naturecare ones are nice. Organic cotton so no nasties.

I used loads with DS1 & DS2. Maybe 60?

Boots own maternity pads (the thinner ones, like sanitary towels). I also heard something about normal sanitary towels not being appropriate, but I'm not sure why!
Also, big knickers! Don't bother with disposable though, just some big, comfy ones!

I'm still bleeding now 4 weeks post birth but it's barely anything thank god. You need to get the massive padded maternity pads as the padding is comfy when your bits are swollen and if you've had stitches etc

I reckon I used a packet every 1/2 days for the first week, and then changed my pad everytime I went to the toilet to prevent infection so 3-4 a day. So honestly buy at least 5 packets of 10 maternity towels. I'm still now using the padded maternity towels 4 weeks on but then I had an episiotomy and everything is still sore and stitched.

Another tip from 1 lady who's just given birth, have a squeezy bottle or jug filled up with lukewarm water to pour over your ladybits whilst going for a wee. If you've had stitches or anything it'll take the sharp sting away!

Best of luck.