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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Maternity pads?!

69 replies

Mumbofeet · 08/12/2017 21:35

Just getting all the bits together for my hospital bag. Can anyone recommend any decent maternity pads? The postnatal bleeding is the bit I'm most worried about so I want to get some which won't let me down! Also how bloody many do I need?!
Any other tips for making labour/immediately after birth easier would also be much appreciated!

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BellMcEnd · 08/12/2017 21:40

I liked the Boots maternity pads. They were really thick and squishy so very comfortable on a sore fanjo.

I bled loads after all 3 of mine - not worryingly so but certainly a lot in the first couple of days, I definitely needed a lot more pads than I thought I would so do bear that in mind. I took about 3 packs into hospital with me.

I’ve heard people on here suggest the tena lady disposable shorts which I think sound like a great idea for the first couple of days.

I also bought biiiiig cheapo black cotton knickers which were great and could be binned if necessary.

Congratulations!

Flisspaps · 08/12/2017 21:42

They're all much of a muchness tbh.

You may be given advice to get normal maxi sanitary pads - please don't. The plastic isn't good for stitches as it doesn't let them 'breathe' properly, and they're so effective at locking away blood that they make it harder to monitor blood loss/infection.

PasstheStarmix · 08/12/2017 21:42

I used Tesco, I liked them as they weren't too thick. I didn't end up needing too many and transferred to regular pads quickly. It will depend how long you're in hospital but I only took a handful in my hospital bag and had rest in boot of car with extra nappies etc just incase.

PenelopePickle · 08/12/2017 21:42

I’ve always used either Asda or boots maternity pads. The thick ones and then after a week or 2 the thin ones are enough.

Someone once told me to stick 2 or three pads in at once in the first few days (spread out a bit to cover a larger area) I found doing that really useful, no leaks!

RosesInTheHospital · 08/12/2017 21:42

I used the Tesco ones. I went through three packets. The first few days were really heavy but after maybe 5:6 days or so I switched to normal (unscented) sanitary towels as they are less bulky and were absorbent enough.

Crumbelina · 08/12/2017 21:44

Boots ones, definitely. Get about four packs. You'll need more than you think!

AnonEvent · 08/12/2017 21:45

I just used Boots own, and they were fine.

And you'll need a billion of them! (Buy two packs to last the first few days).

Do not underestimate the number of PJ bottoms and knickers you'll need. I was in hosp 24 hours post c-section, I must've changed clothes 4 times (but I do like to feel very clean).

Lochia isn't great to be honest, but it's only cataclysmic for a couple of days, then it turns into a reasonably heavy (but not worst ever) period. I was probably using normal sanitary towels after a week (but quite missed the comfort of the big, thick, maternity pad to be honest).

PasstheStarmix · 08/12/2017 21:45

Also I didn't ruin any underwear with the Tesco ones...they did the job and were very comfortable. Everybody different and it will depend on your birth and level of injury though.

QueenOfThorns · 08/12/2017 21:46

I agree about the Tesco ones, also, buy about twice as many as you think you’ll need. I bought two boxes and had to send DH out for more after a couple of days!

cheminotte · 08/12/2017 21:48

Some big knickers to throw away are a good idea.
Also basic moisturizer (eg Nivea), dried fruit, peppermint tea and some straws are good if you end up with C-section.

SparklingSnowfall · 08/12/2017 21:50

Loads, supermarket own are fine but you definitely do need the big thick ones, none of this 'a night time always will be fine' or whatever people tell you.

Also massive, full brief style black knickers from a supermarket that can be thrown away are good too. There is a lot of blood but you'll feel much more comfortable if you've got the right stuff to manage it with.

YCAWS · 08/12/2017 21:54

Get yourself some adult nappies. Far better IMHO

EssentialHummus · 08/12/2017 21:57

Tena here, or two thick Boots ones. And yy to large black supermarket/Primark knickers.

Get some prune juice in (larger Sainsbury’s/ Tescos have them) and glug it down once you’re home. Makes the first couple of poos much easier.

I liked wearing black leggings instead of pyjamas at hospital and at home. Easier to look/feel “together “.

YorkieDorkie · 08/12/2017 22:02

You might need some slightly bigger in the first 24 hours. I was happy with mothercare pads thereafter but dear god please buy every pad they have! It is not worth the risk of running out like I did when I forgot to buy more!!!

ew1990 · 08/12/2017 22:04

I bled for 4 weeks after (only finished last week) and I must have gone through about 15 packs of pads, definitely use 2 maternity pads in the first few days

Eeeeek2 · 08/12/2017 22:06

Boots are good.

Cracklesfire · 08/12/2017 22:12

Boots maternity pads, two at a time to make one long pad that overlaps for extra cushioning (midwifery auxiliary showed me that). Big cheap black pants and get a bottle of lactulose & drink plenty of water afterwards.

Original poster

Mumbofeet · 08/12/2017 22:32

Thanks for all the replies! Think the postnatal bit is more daunting than the actual labour!

OP posts:

SparklingSnowfall · 08/12/2017 22:41

I think it's the fact that nobody tells you about the postnatal bit and it can be a bit grim! When I had my first baby I honestly thought I'd just 'go back to normal instantly!' Oh how wrong I was, better to be prepared and it will be easier!

Girlwiththearabstrap · 09/12/2017 00:00

I found them all ok and similar. Agree that doubling up is best. I also used witch hazel on them and found that I healed really quickly. Also, sorry if this is tmi but a tip I got was to fold one in half and hold it against your stitches when you're going for a poo! It really helped the "my insides are falling out" feeling!
Oh god. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the thought of doing it all again!

NC1990 · 09/12/2017 01:12

The Boots ones worked well for me, with big (black!) Primark pants. I went through a good 4 packs of them (the pads not the pants). I only took one pair of PJ bottoms to hospital and ended up bleeding through them, maybe take a spare pair!

Mrstobe90 · 09/12/2017 01:14

I’ve not given birth yet but I’ve heard about this thing called Spritz for bits (or bitz - can’t quite remember) and it’s supposedly amazing for helping with healing and pain down there. I’m gonna give it a try!

Also, I was wondering about maternity pads too and it seems like Boots will be the ones I’ll be going for after reading all of these comments :)

ginandnappies · 09/12/2017 01:16

Boots!

EEandEmakes3 · 09/12/2017 01:24

Boots here too, moved onto the thin pads once bleeding slowed down.

badg3r · 09/12/2017 01:24

I used the Tesco ones and they were good. They now do a normal maternity pad and a slim one which is mostly like a thin sanitary pad without all the smelly perfume and colours.

I would get three packs of the normal ones for just after (squishy is better!) and once they have run out you can see if you want to try the thinner ones.

Prepare to bleed a fair bit! It isn't like a period and you'll be a bit tender so as pp said I would shy away from normal sanitary towels. Also take a sports cap water bottle so you can squirt your bits while you wee (sorry, too late to make it sound more eloquent!), grazing is very common and wee stings a bit at first after childbirth.

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