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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Maternity Pads

54 replies

Babyontheway21 · 11/05/2021 09:09

Hi

I bought lilets maternity pads as I had seen good reviews but now I am thinking these are thin i enough after reading about lochia (first baby don’t know what to expect so my head is running away with itself and thinking it’s going to be terrible) has anyone used these and were they ok or should I get other ones?

OP posts:
SBAM · 11/05/2021 12:21

Just a counter to Babyboomtastic I had a section and my lochia lasted 6 weeks, exactly the same as it did after my previous vaginal birth. It was lighter after the c section, after a week or so it was more like a stained discharge than active bleeding unless I overexerted myself.

MindyStClaire · 11/05/2021 12:31

Yes mine lasted a good while after both sections and was very stop-start after the first week or two, so don't stop wearing anything for a good while as you don't want to get caught out. The thin ones were fine at that stage though.

Sidehustle99 · 11/05/2021 12:53

For the first few days use disposable knickers and 2 large overlapping pads. The Kotex ones are best I found after 3 DC

whatswithtodaytoday · 11/05/2021 12:58

Mine lasted six weeks after a section too, it was very heavy the first few days and then down to brown discharge type stuff, with occasional flooding when I breastfed (it helps the uterus contract) or overdid it.

I used the thick Boots ones at first and then switched to the thin ones. San towels didn't appeal for some reason.

HopingForOurRainbowBaby · 11/05/2021 13:38

@BrilloSolar

Just had 2nd baby and best thing I did was buy the Tena pants in max and size L (I'm normally size 12) recommended on a thread here. Especially for night, I found that I always leaked even with two pads on. Least sexy things I've ever seen! But so handy to just whip off and bin. I used them for about the first 4 days and even added a pad in too when it was really heavy.
I've started doing this post miscarriage as my periods for the first few days are horrendous. Means I can sleep without worrying about gushing through a pad or worrying that in the night I'll end up on my back or front. Just wish I'd thought about using them when I was actually miscarrying instead of spending 5 weeks laid on bin liners, towels and inco sheets and bleeding through the Max sanitary towels. Plus on the day I had the heaviest bleed during my miscarriage I could've worn them and not worried that every time I sneezed I'd need to go change my pad, knickers and pj bottoms each time. Sitting half naked on a toilet in a freezing cold bathroom for half the night to save ruining any more clothes is not fun
Chanel05 · 13/05/2021 06:37

Also recommend Boots maternity pads.

Tip: put two in your disposable pants next to each other.

Chanel05 · 13/05/2021 06:41

@Babyboomtastic

Given you are having a section, you won't need the padding. I used thin maternity pads for about 2 days, then normal always regular flow for another 3 maybe, then a few days with pantyliners.

I also had sections, and whilst some women still have heavy lochia after them, it's pretty common for it to be very light as well (they do some of the clean up inside during the surgery I believe). The first 24hrs there was a lot, but it rapidly tailed off, and was basically done and dusted within a week both times.

When I had my day 10 midwife appointment, they asked whether my lochia had finished so I think it's pretty common for it to be quick after a section.

@Babyontheway21 this isn't necessarily true.

I had an emergency section, lost 2.5L of blood in surgery (A LOT) and I still bled heavily afterwards for a few weeks and continued to bleed for 12 weeks total.

20viona · 13/05/2021 06:42

Boots pads are very cushioned and comfy post birth.

Original poster
Babyontheway21 · 13/05/2021 08:28

When you talk about disposable pants are these not pads as such just pants and I would put the maternity pads in them.

OP posts:
Babyboomtastic · 13/05/2021 08:57

@Chanel05
Crikey 🥺

That's 10 times the amount I lost in surgery, and you voted afterwards for about 10 times longer.

I know emergency sections are quite different, but that's a lot of blood.

Op, as you can see, there's huge variation of experiences.

Numnumcookie · 13/05/2021 09:05

I had an EMCS and had loads of lochia.

I went for the thick maternity pads without wings. They also worked really well as a bandage horizontally across my c section scar when it was a bit leaky afterwards.

Mylittlesandwich · 13/05/2021 09:07

I had an ELCS and bled for about 6 weeks. Pretty heavily. I found the lilets ones great because they have wings unlike many of the others.

Original poster
Babyontheway21 · 13/05/2021 09:17

Yes it definitely varies, I think I’ll just get various products to have them at hand but I did buy the lilets ones first as they had the wings and I liked the idea of that but I will stock up on some othersSmile.

OP posts:
Original poster
Babyontheway21 · 13/05/2021 09:18

@Mylittlesandwich did you find they were ok from the start to finish or did you use others to begin with?

OP posts:
Mylittlesandwich · 13/05/2021 09:26

[quote Babyontheway21]@Mylittlesandwich did you find they were ok from the start to finish or did you use others to begin with?[/quote]
I used them right from the start and found them really good. I switched to night sanitary pads at the end when it was getting lighter though.

Chanel05 · 13/05/2021 09:28

@Babyboomtastic 🥴 I had a blood transfusion during my section and was about two minutes off of a hysterectomy 😬🤦‍♀️.

When I went for my six week check, my doctor said, "Your birth... traumatic! I read how much blood you lost and thought I had to read through your whole labour notes to give you proper advice and care."

Alfxn · 13/05/2021 09:44

@Babyontheway21

When you talk about disposable pants are these not pads as such just pants and I would put the maternity pads in them.
people are talking about the big disposable padded knickers, they are basically like nappies for wearing after you give birth. You might be able to wear them on their own, or layer in a pad or 2 for even more protection.
Original poster
Babyontheway21 · 13/05/2021 10:02

Great thank you

OP posts:
Survivingmy3yearold · 13/05/2021 10:06

I had a section with my first and bled for longer than my vaginal delivery with my 2nd. I really liked the bodyform maternity pads as they were really long and had 2 sets of wings so they stayed in place better. Once things eased up a little I switched to the boots thick pads and then the thin ones. I was advised by my midwife to avoid the tena pants as they are too absorbent and can mask signs of infection.

tigerbread20 · 13/05/2021 10:08

I work on delivery suite. You really want the thick ones for the first few days, boots ones are ideal.
If ladies come with the smaller ones we have a stash of thick ones to give out for the first night until someone can bring you some the next day. Although I doubt all hospitals do this.
Keep the ones you've got for day 4 onwards and get 2 packs of boots thick ones

Original poster
Babyontheway21 · 13/05/2021 10:29

@tigerbread20

That’s great thank you so much Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
Babyontheway21 · 13/05/2021 10:31

I just see the ultra slim boots ones online I will go into the shop and see if they have them.

OP posts:
trevthecat · 13/05/2021 10:39

I found tena knickers best for the first couple of days. No leaks and surprisingly comfy

wineymummy · 13/05/2021 10:43

Another vote for the big Tena pants! So much better than pads. I also doubled up with pads for the first day or so.
Don't scrimp and buy cheap ones. Not as comfy as Tena.

ThatIsMyPotato · 13/05/2021 10:49

@Babyontheway21

I just see the ultra slim boots ones online I will go into the shop and see if they have them.
If you google Boots Maternity Towels they come up for me.