Postpartum bleeding

[Pinkroseuk]

Hi all - sorry if tmi! expecting first baby in a month and have read that post partum bleeding is worse than a period for the first few days. I would usually fill a very heavy towel and a super plus tampon in 45 mins the first few days of period and worried that I will need to change pads about every 15 mins after baby is born and therefore get no sleep - is it likely to be this bad?!
Thanks

It can be very heavy at first, yes. I used the giant green ones for mine, think Medicare is the brand, and used two at a time for the first couple of days

I’m now 4 weeks pp. Bleeding was heavy at first but slowly improved and has just about finished this week. It certainly wasn’t horrendously heavy - nowhere near filling a pad in 15 minutes! I found (tmi) most came out when I went to the loo as I relaxed. Pad wise I went through a couple a day. I used supermarket brand ones and they were substantial enough for me. Although when I was still in hospital I used the ones there as they were much thicker. Obviously everyone is different but I would certainly just describe it as a heavy period. Good luck OP!

As pp at first it's a lot yes.
I wasn't changing a pad every 15 mins.
Buy the thickest ones you can find!

I used supermarket maternity pads. Changed every couple of hours. I also sat on an old towel on the sofa just do be safe. I think I bled through twice. A bath every evening to make you feel fresh.

It is grim but it is just bleeding, not crampy like a period in my experience anyway.

Get maternity pads , not just sanitary pads. They are a lot thicker and I found them SO much more comfortable when you are very sore! I changed regularly as I had stitches and was terrified of getting an infection but probably at most every hour or so the first couple of days and not that frequently at night.

It’s very different to a period. I changed at hourly to start with.
You won’t get any sleep no, but it won’t be from the bleeding so you’ll be plenty awake to change and you honestly won’t even give it any thought.
Mine settled after a few days but it was still quite a shock.

There's a good chance that having a baby will sort your periods out a bit. It can do that. It's unlikely to be worse than you are used to tbh. The waterproof backed mats you can get, for continence I think, are handy to sit on in bed or sofa when feeding as that can cause a gush and it mops it up a bit.
Buy some cheap cotton pants in black and wait it out. Don't use paper pants. Crap and pointless.

@Northernlurker

There's a good chance that having a baby will sort your periods out a bit. It can do that. It's unlikely to be worse than you are used to tbh. The waterproof backed mats you can get, for continence I think, are handy to sit on in bed or sofa when feeding as that can cause a gush and it mops it up a bit. Buy some cheap cotton pants in black and wait it out. Don't use paper pants. Crap and pointless.

Yeah I agree with this. My heavy painful periods disappeared after DC! I'd say I have an average period now, I don't dread them like I used to.

Thankyou all so much - you have reassured me.
I have got some mats for the sofa/bed and old towels and bought plenty of maternity pads which are well cushioned and thick.
Fingers crossed - I'm pleased it's more like every hour or less - I think I will need a sit down after birth and not be up every 15mins!

If you're worried about leaking, a puppy pad on the bed is a good idea (I had some pre birth in case my waters went on the new mattress like baby No1)

Very heavy at first yes. I put two thick pads side by side in my disposable pants and I needed to change them every hour.

I agree with the comments, get maternity pads! The midwifes gave me a pack after labour which was handy as I only brought adult diapers, which by the way are great for when your water breaks !

Bleeding is heavy but it’s not unmanageable, just make sure you have the ability to sit comfortably to feed your little one as you may be sat down for long periods of time,

Get a bidet bottle to put cool water on while you pee it helps keep you clean and if you do have any stitches it helps with the stinging
Witch hazel in my opinion is very much unnecessary,
I also got myself a cold pad (if you look on Amazon for postpartum cold pack) they are great relief if you need it !

My little one is nearly 4 weeks old, I still feel tender but I just use night pads just in case anything comes through (my little on was 10lbs 1 and I had a 2nd degree tear, my uterus is still healing but it does take up to 6 weeks !)