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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Big pants and big pads

29 replies

Floellabella · 02/07/2017 17:13

Ok. I have heard a lot that I need to buy some massive pants for after birth. Do I really? I already wear boy short type pants that are very comfortable anyway and are still fitting fine in late pregnancy. I am pretty happy with my pants I understand that if I have a CS I might need pants that avoid my scar but otherwise what is the rationale for different pants?? I have even been told to buy disposable pants?!

Secondly, do I need to buy specific maternity pads? Will just big nighttime type sanitary towels not do? I have even been told to buy basically adult nappies which cover both the pants and pad issue in one. Is this necessary?!

Thanks for your advice!!

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JohnLapsleyParlabane · 02/07/2017 17:15

Definitely maternity pads, as they are unscented. Lots of people recommend 'granny pants' but I wore my normal low rise pants after my section with no problems.

sassylocks · 02/07/2017 17:15

Adult nappies were amazing IMO! I loved them for the first couple of days. I also brought cheap men's boxers and layered them up with pads. I then just binned them after because they weren't worth saving lol good luck with everything!!

mintbiscuit · 02/07/2017 17:16

I found night time pads ok but would double up to avoid leaks.

hoppyfarmer · 02/07/2017 17:16

Hi, I bought disposable pants but they're about as comfy as having sand in your eyes. I bought a couple of multipacks of cotton full briefs in Asda, 10 pairs I think, and Boots do slim maternity pads that are much more comfortable than the big nappy ones. I would use maternity pads until your stitches are all healed - apparently they don't need stick to you like sanitary towels might. Get to Asda for your granny pants!

Justhadmyhaircut · 02/07/2017 17:17

In the early days proper maternity pads are recommended so you can judge if your blood loss is OK - sanitary pads absorb so well its hard to tell!!
Primary big pants are fab!! Your tummy will still be a bit big /wobbly and they hold it in nice and gently!

Mymouthgetsmeintrouble · 02/07/2017 17:17

You want big thick pads for the comfort factor too it can be pretty sore down there and granny pants hold the pad pillows in place better get ones with a nice wide gusset

Migraleve · 02/07/2017 17:18

I just wore my normal underwear with normal maternity pads, they are not the massive duvet thick pads they used to be

Intransige · 02/07/2017 17:19

I didn't bother with big pants for the size, more for the fact that they were black and cheap so I didn't bleed all over my normal pants.

And yes, get maternity pads. They are thicker than night time ones and unscented.

Lules · 02/07/2017 17:20

I had an emcs and I had to send DH out to buy the biggest pants he could find because normal big pants rubbed my scar. Also I swelled up a lot due to being on a drip for ages during labour so needed a couple of sizes bigger than in my pregnancy.

It varies but I bled a LOT after birth. Even with 2 maternity pads on I dripped blood everywhere if I stood up after lying down a while so there's no way ordinary pads would have been enough.

welshweasel · 02/07/2017 17:23

I had a c section. I wore always pants for th first few days which were amazing. No leaks and we're super comfy as came up high over the scar. Then I went back into normal pants, boy short type.

Lules · 02/07/2017 17:26

I should add it was only for the 1st week ish that it was like that.

Spam88 · 02/07/2017 17:26

Definitely maternity pads for reasons already mentioned.

You don't need big knickers, you just need something that can accommodate the pads. I normally wear French knickers which aren't really pad-compatible so I bought some big briefs from Tesco.

crabwoman · 02/07/2017 17:34

Maternity pads are recommended as they are less absorbent. This can be quite important for judging blood loss in the first few days. Also regular towels are super thin and tend to have a absorbent mesh type top layer, whereas maternity towels are thicker and smoother. Makes quite a difference if you've had stitches
Regular ones also contain more gels and other chemicals, which may be a bit harsh on a healing foof!

Pants are down to preference, though you may need a high waist if you've had a CS.

Original poster

Floellabella · 02/07/2017 20:52

OK thanks all! Especially for the heads up about about the differences between maternity and normal pads! I'll get some proper ones and might consider a small pack of the nappy scenario Think I might stick with my normal pants although love the boxers idea!

OP posts:

Jessiecat27 · 02/07/2017 21:10

Can you buy the pads in like boots or a supermarket? And where is cheaper? Sorry to jump on the post!

OhHolyFuck · 02/07/2017 21:21

Also I was recommended proper maternity pads over general pads as they're not plastic backed like normal pads and this helps air flow and is better for infection protection especially in those early days/weeks when blood flow is really heavy

ememem84 · 02/07/2017 21:32

Oh jeeeez. I'd forgotten about pads and huge knickers. Was warned that I'd need to buy them but...

First baby here so in a bit of a denial that anything leaky will happen....

MrsChopper · 02/07/2017 21:43

I bought black full briefs from primark 3 for £5 I think they were at the time. They are comfortable and come up high enough to avoid csection wound.

Also, I'd recommend Asda for the maternity pads and briefs. I did use maternity 'nappy' things and found them great as they just went straight in the bin without worrying about any mess.

Ordinary sanitary pads are so absorbant that they can stick to stitches (should you need any) which does not make for a pleasant experience.

Spam88 · 02/07/2017 21:52

jessiecat I got them from Asda and Tesco, they're with all the baby stuff.

mrsBeverleygoldberg · 02/07/2017 21:59

Don't use Always as when I had stitches the ends of them got caught in the small holes in the plastic top of the pad. Get a pad with a smooth top.
My baby period wasn't any worse than my normal blob. Although they were quite heavy. I wore my normal pants and the pads had wings.

overduemamma · 02/07/2017 22:02

I loved my granny pants after I had my children. Would defo recommend maternity pads. Nice and thick x

vincentaroony · 02/07/2017 22:09

Good advice here on the maternity pads, yes you'll need them. My friend got through a pack a day but I was fine with 2 packs in total I think then moved onto sanitary towels. I was loving granny pants for a few weeks but your normal pants will be fine I'm sure. While you're buying your maternity pads, get yourself some breast pads too! Day 3/4 and for a good while afterwards, you'll need them. I was more surprised by nipple leakage than knicker leakage!

BaffledMummy · 02/07/2017 22:19

Yes to maternity pads. Work fine with boyshorts. After a few days I switched to always ultras and totally regretted it...they were not kind to healing stitches and went back to the lovely soft and chunky mat pads.

Chloe1402 · 07/07/2017 06:31

Does anyone know where you can get maternity ones with wings??? I hate hate hate not habung wings to keep the pads in place! No wings = more mess!!!

Lapin387 · 07/07/2017 06:33

Mothercare do them with wings and aloe vera. Haven't used them yet though so can't comment in how good they are.

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