Is this a stupid question?

[Rowanhart]

But would I be able o use tampons instead of sanitary towels after Labour?

Umm, kind of get on the way of the baby, you don't need them until after and you want pads to reduce the risk of infection??

You may be very sore and there will probably be a lot of blood...... not to mention any stitches, tearing, bruising etc.

After (not even had a drink bei g up the duff but have had second serious eye op )

I think it would pose risk of infection tbh, plus the immediate bleeding is heavy plus you may lose tissue and clots, I think you can resume using them on your first proper period after the baby though.

As I said after labor Carrie....thanks Doraenan, I have never used a pad in my life so it will be a new experience....

Postnatal nether regions are a whole new experience in themselves tbh.....

Yeah I think they advise against tampons because you have to watch out for clots as they can be a sign of infection.

Also more chance of getting an infection with them.

Haha Carrie

I'm 34 weeks on Monday and suddenly this is all starting to feel very real. I'd not thought about the effect on my nethers until I saw some posts on here today.

Also realising it could be quite a while before any playing with DH.

I think I may go for a lie down in a dark room...

I'm not illiterate just can't see

Noooooooo! Definitely not. I've heard that even sanitary towels aren't great as they're almost too absorbent and they can affect the stitches. You'd be best with maternity pads.

Tampons have a risk of infection. You probably wouldn't want to anyway as you'll probably be sore.

That should be "you can get an infection from using Tampons". I'm pretty sure that the tampon itself won't get an infection! :o

I was told no, no, no, due to risk of infection. Buy yourself some big pants and big pads. Get ones with wings. And take delight in burning big pants afterwards. I am not a pad fan either - but TBH in the days afterwards (even though mine both arrived by C-section in the end) it is low on the list of priorities to think about. Congratulations on impending arrival.

I think the sheer volume of blood would mean no but I think there is an infection risk. Also if you have stitches I imagine you would t want to try and insert anything!

Get big towels and some massive, comfy apple catcher type knickers. Depends how labour goes - my first was a failed forceps and ended as a c section, and my fanjo was a disaster zone for weeks. Second Delivery was great, and DS shot out quickly and without drama. Fanjo still felt sorry for itself for day's afterwards though (...by the way, I know there's a superfluous apostrophe in that sentence, but bloody iPad won't let me delete it)

you arent supposed to use tampons until your first period after the lochia stops

umm, I don't want to worry you, but I never ever use pads, and after birth of dc1 there was no way i could use tampons (even if midwife hadn't told me you shouldn't) Too sore, too much blood, too loose (no pelvic muscles left)
actually took a few periods before I could use tampons without them eh hum falling out
and as for playing with dh, after my first it was months

all much easier after dc2 and 3

Oooooh, no. You will look back on this question and realise the full horror of putting a tampon anywhere near yourself at that point

More seriously, your cervix takes time to close, and put cotton wool up there increases the risk of infection.

Also, nice big thick maternity towels are a lovely cushion if you are a bit sore.

and don't think that those lovely thin ultra pads will do the job...

Worse bit was when ds woke to feed, I had to dash to loo before I cold feed because as soon as I sat up I flooded sigh

I think postnatal fanjo care and bleeding really needs to be talked about more amongst women.

I was we'll prepared after talking to my mum and NCT teacher, but it still came as a shock how bruised and owie I felt as well as how MUCH bleeding there was.

OP deffo get yourself some lovely, big comfy knickers and be thankful for the extra cushioning a thick maternity towel will offer you You can also put witch hazel on a maternity towel and pop it in the freezer, before sticking it in your pants - BLISS

Well! Not we'll!!!!

and have a bath. Twice a day. Put bath oils in bath so not so drying. When I had to miss the bath I couldn't sit down.

You honestly won't care OP. I was also horrified by the packs of maternity pads lurking in my hospital bag but, as other posters have said, you will appreciate the extra padding to sit on! Also, you definitely will NOT want to be putting a tampon anywhere near you!

Badgerina you are so right - everyone droned on about sleepless nights etc but very little mention of the massive amount of bleeding, horrendous piles, and generally feeling as if I'd been hit by a train!