Maternity pads and knicks

[Jonesylass]

Hi all

I’m on with packing my hospital bag and have read loads of lists and think I have most of what’s required! And it seems a lot of stuff!

How many Maternity pads do I realistically need? Could I not use Tena pants? Which brands are better ?
And what knickers?! I know everyone says big cheap black ones but could someone show me a picture ?

I could end up in hospital for a few days as I anticipate induction and a tiny baby so I want to feel I have it all prepared ready !

Thanks in advance !

I bled a lot and needed to change my pad a couple of times an hour. I also bought a pack of full briefs from BHS which were perfect - not still wearing them 4 years on...no not me...

I much prefer paper ones post birth. Doesn't matter what happens, pants and pad in bin and no worrying about laundry.

I bought a pack of m and s non vpl full briefs on eBay , two sizes bigger than I'd normally wear.

I would say you definitely need the maternity pads, no more details really needed but buy more and keep receipt. I needed them when I came home. Big knickers also needed

Oh and pads are thicker than Tena etc which you'll prefer if you have stitches!

I bought a pack of full black briefs from primary in the largest size and I much preferred the boots own brand maternity pads. I had three packs and used most of one in hospital - after the first week I used normal nighttime pads during the day and maternity overnight.

Primark not primary!

I had 2 packs of maternity pads - I got the slim ones from Boots. Primark full briefs in a size up - something cheap you can chuck in the bin.

Absolutely yes but Maternity pads. Buy the super thick ones for the first few days then I swapped to the skinnier ones.

And cotton pants. I didn’t buy any bigger than my usual size. But cotton ones were nicer in my opinion than the paper ones.

After reading you could go through a pack a day I bought dozens of packs - i used one pad a day and a fresh one at night. Pants I bought a pack of plain black briefs from Tesco a size up from normal. V comfy.

(Ps. This time last week I had a tiny baby, also induced. Just wanted to say good luck and, in case you are as nervous as I was, induction was absolutely fine, I was looked after so well and tiny baby is a perfect little gumdrop of joy. Hope all goes well for you)

I too went with big black pants, these specifically- tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Black-Plain-Shorts-5-Pack/101390917-Black - and I'm not still wearing them either . . .

As for pads I liked Mothercare ones, but also used Tena pads (not the pants) too at the start- nice and thick but padded and soft on sore bits, super absorbent and the elasticated edges kept them well positioned. I bled for 3 weeks and to start with used maybe 8 a day. I'd get a couple of packs of whatever you decide to see you through the first few days and then you can order in or send the OH out for more because you might be lucky and not need them that long . . . Or be unlucky and need 6 weeks worth, no way to tell until you're there!!

Good luck!

Tesco maternity pads were great for me, £1 for 10.
And I got packs of full briefs in primark. They were more than good enough.

We had a problem buying maternity pads at one point - tried 4 supermarkets and the chemist. Had to use some tena in the mean time. They weren’t as absorbent. I went through about 5 packs but only bled for 2.5 weeks. I’d take a full pack to hospital and have at least 1 full pack at home.

Get big cheap cotton knickers, I got mine from eBay, m&s labels cut out but cheaper.

Both times I preferred super sanitary towels (one natural birth and one CS). I did use the maternity ones for the first couple of days but I used the slim ones from tesco (pink packet), the big padded bulky ones made me paranoid and uncomfortable.

I got the big granny style black stretchy pants from Primark and the boots own maternity pads and they were amazing! It was like 4 pairs in black for £5?

I had a 2nd degree tear and a graze which mean both internal and external stitches and so i was really greatful for thr fluffy big pads.

I would say for hygiene reasons you should go no longer than 6 hours between changing your pad as its not like an AF you essentially have open wounds that you don't want infected.

Also a good thing about maternity pads is i got no pad rash which is normally a big issue personally during an AF let alone up to 7 weeks of bleeding!

Buy more pads than you think you’ll need. I found tescos ones quite good.

Also primark do really sexy black granny pants that lasted me through both postpartum periods.

@Jonesylass any full briefs you can find. As pictured or similar. Tesco or Asda are quite good. I loved them and they were comfy haha. Get the maternity pads if you can or the extra/nighttime pads as good absorption/protection is needed! Good luck with the birth of your LO

You'll need more maternity pads than you ever thought you would. I bled for 10 fucking weeks after my cs.

I had my twins two weeks ago. I think you need Tena pants for first three days, then big maternity pads for a week (Boots ones good) combined with black granny pants about 3 sizes up from your normal size. Then thin maternity pads after that. Would defo have a waterproof mattress protector on your bed for first weeks too.

I used various types of pad - definitely wanted the thick ones though! I had severe swelling after having pre eclampsia so I had huge pants for a day or two then just my normal size.

Even if you don't bleed loads please don't follow the example above and use one pad a day! For hygiene you'd need to change every 4-6 hours.

Thanks all I’ll get myself to town this week