Postpartum pads or underwear

[Sheila4327]

Hi all,

Just packing my hospital bag and wondering whether to use maxi pads or period underwear (adult nappies!). If so what brands do you recommend? Also are incontinence underwear useful for heavy bleeding after labour?

Thanks!

I needed the maxi maternity pads. Any period stuff is too thin in my opinion. You're not just collecting blood. Its also a personal mobile cushion for your sore bits.

I've packed tena pants this time around. Purely because I can't be arsed with the faff of changing pads and potentially taking a tonne of bloodied clothing home to wash. I would have taken my period pants but they don't currently fit me and I'm not spending out again for ones that will be too big in a few months time!

I had a baby a couple of months ago and bought night time maxi pads as well as adult nappies. I preferred the nappies and definitely stayed in them longer than I needed to just because they were so comfy! I just felt more cushioned by them compared with the pads.
I probably needed them for the first 7-10 days but wore them for the best part of three weeks!

You need to be careful if you are buying anything not specifically marked as maternity to make sure it isn't scented, as that isn't good for letting the area breathe whilst healing. I went for boots own brand maxi maternity pads + some massive M&S black knickers in two sizes bigger than my size that i wore until the bleeding stopped and then chucked.

You can also make DIY cooling pads by popping some water + tea tree / witch hazel etc onto a pad and putting it in the freezer.