Best underwear & pads to wear for after birth bleeding

[Cia50]

Hi everyone :) can you please advise me what is the best underwear to wear after giving birth? what is the most comfortable and priced well? Also what pads are the best to wear with it. Thanks in advance! :)

It's a while ago but for while in hospital I got some tena disposable knickers and think I used boots own maternity pads so when I got changed just chucked the whole lot. At home just comfy big knickers.

I’ve been recommended the disposable incontinence knickers too, instead of pads. Seems logical so that’s what I’m going for

Definitely the disposable pants for the first couple of days. Make sure you buy high waisted pants (just in case of c section) so they won’t sit on your scar

I used the tesco or morrisons thick maternity pads, and I bought multi packs of giant black pants from primark. I try to be environmentally conscious but they were cheap and a lot of them got thrown away because they were ruined. I also tried the thinner tesco maternity pads but they just seemed to leave me irritated and sore, my preference was the morrisons ones in the end, they seemed to fit me best. Disclaimer, I had episiotomy first time and tearing with stitches the second.

I had a section last year and got big knickers and went up a size so they didn't sit on my scar and I'll do the same in November after my section with DC2. I did get disposable knickers but ended up being sent home with a pack of hospital pads that I used (thick ones) then went on to sanitary towels just so I wasn't having to take my bottoms off to put a new pair of disposable ones on

Would period pants work? That way you can use the for your periods after too?

Marks and Spencer's big black pants in a size up. I think I got the always extra heavy overnight pads.

I've worn Primark black pants that are in the shorts style rather than knickers

And my favourite maternity pads have been the lil-lets ones. The last I checked they were on offer in asda too

I bought some huge black pants from Asda (plenty of places do them though), the ones which go up above the belly button (I didn't know if I would be having an emergency c section or not) a size bigger than my usual size, and boots maternity pads (the thick ones). Honestly such a comfortable combination, I got through quite a few pads in the following weeks and they had the added bonus of providing some cushioning when sat down. I also did use spray on the pad to soothe and help with the stitches, dream combo, highly recommended. Disposable pants were so expensive and uncomfortable, I personally wouldn't recommend them at all.

disposable incontinence knickers
This! Absolutely the best advice I got - cheap as chips Tesco brand. No faffing about with the giant pads that are so awkward and uncomfortable or over sized pants.

Though should say I ended up with an emergency c section...so I guess I didn't need the extra padding underneath. The high rise waist was really comfy though

I had cheap black knickers from asda, sized up, and used asda pads. Although when I ran out one day and got them from my local shop they only had kotex ones and they were actually much nicer, really soft which is what you want if you have a vaginal birth

Hi everyone, thank you all so much for all of your feedback!! :) I looked online for the options you gave and came across two styles of underwear which are the high waist underwear and other disposable mesh underwear. Has anyone tried the mesh underwear and pad combo, are they any good?

I think the incontinence pads make the most sense but I worry about the environmental impact. Does one even care about that when they are in pain after birth? 😅

Are the high waist underwears in Primark and Asda good for the long run? like when the belly starts to contract, I worry that it might be loose in a few weeks.

Also, any advice on what material is the best, cotton, or polyester underwear?

@katmarie thanks for sharing! Just wondering what you did to heal after the tearings? Also thinner pads make you sorer?

Initially I used just normal black pants - I bought maternity pants from jojo maman Bébé (only maternity store we have here) and boots maternity pants. When things had settled down a bit I used my reuseable washable pads. Much comfier.

I bought some high waisted pants from Primark and they were absolutely fine. I used Boots maternity pads but as I had an episiotomy and stitches, the pads rubbed against the stitches so I just went for some normal period pads in the end and they felt much more comfortable

I tell anyone who will listen to but the full on disposable incontinence pants.

Amazing.

Hi everyone! Thank you all so much for your comments, you have been really helpful❤️

Don't buy those netty knickers! They're what they give you in hospital & they're horrible to wear.

High waisted cotton pants are defo best. Can be washed at 60° and breathable!

I see the logic in the disposable pants and bought some when I had my first baby, but I found them SO uncomfortable. They just feel gross. I bought massive black granny pants from primark and wore them with the boots maternity pads and they felt so much softer and nicer. I will be doing that again!

Lillets maternity pads are the best! Sooo absorbable and comfortable. Worn with massive Primark knickers. Perfect.

Thanks everyone! Just wondering if any of you poured witch hazel, aloe or lavender oil on the pads and freezing it. I've been seeing these DIY herbal pads online and wondering if it's safe and effective to do so?😃

I used disposable knickers for about 3 days I think, then onto old fashioned type pads (for after giving birth) and good old sturdy m and s knickers.

If you go for actual knickers, definitely cotton underwear.