Postpartum bleeding and period underwear

[Liland]

I'm looking for some recommendations on postpartum bleeding. I've gotten on really well with Thinx period underwear (the absorbent type you use without sanpro for light-average periods), and was wondering about post-birth.

As I understand it, most women use maternity towels (for 1 week? More?) immediately postpartum, and these are different from normal pads because they don't absorb (which is important for reasons I've since forgotten). Then they move onto normal towels for as long as the bleeding lasts (this is several weeks, right?). Is there a point in here when it becomes suitable to switch from normal towels to period underwear? Also, if the initial bleeding is as heavy as I've read, would it be a good idea to use these style of cheap leak-proof period pants (www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Women-Waterproof-Menstrual-Period-Leakproof-Briefs-Menses-Shorts-Panty-Underwear/332842230772?hash=item4d7ef163f4:m:mksp3T2o0R3ua_-yInp-rvQ:rk:21:pf:0) in combination with maternity towels? Sorry for tmi, but I've always had problems with flooding, despite not having very heavy periods, which was solved with Thinx.

Sorry if these are stupid questions, I'm expecting my first in January and trying to cover as many bases as possible!

Bump, any ideas anyone?

Unfortunately this is another one of those areas where you won’t really know until you’ve given birth - everyone is totally different!

I think the “norm” is that the bleeding is heavier than a regular period and can last much longer than a regular period, so definitely more than a week. However it depends a lot on the type of birth you had. I lost a lot of blood giving birth so didn’t bleed all that much in the following weeks.

I’d advise having lots of options available and see how you get on. I used Boots own maternity pads. They do super thick ones that I used for a week or so and then swapped to their thinner ones after that. Maybe stock up on a few types and see what works for you?

I second using Boots maternity towels, they were the best I tried. I used the thick pads for the first few days, then the slimline pads after that. I switched to regular supermarket own brand towels after about week 2 as the maternity towels were a bit overkill after that! I'm currently 4.5 weeks PP and my bleeding seems to be coming to an end now, but you're advised that it can last 4-6 weeks.

I believe the maternity towels are recommended over standard 'period' protection because they're more absorbent and the pads tend to be longer (so offer more protection/containment). I've also found them less 'plasticky'/sweaty which is a good thing when you're wearing them for such a long period of time and want to keep infection risk (e.g. for stitches) down.

I'm prone to flooding with periods and was dreading using just pads PP, however it's been a surprisingly 'OK' experience... I only flooded once, the night immediately after the birth (very much expected, you're given a mat to protect bedding). After that, everything was contained just fine.

I took some Tena Lady disposable knickers to the hospital with me (recommended by MNetters), but found I didn't really need them for 'containment' and they made me sweat buckets (which was incredibly uncomfortable), so I only used them once.

I ended up going through 4 packs of Boots thick towels and about 6 packs of slimline before changing to standard 'period towels'. You'll need to buy enough to change your towel every time you go to the loo/shower, plus extra to change 'for comfort' if necessary in between.

P.s. Lots of people will recommend buying 'big knickers' to wear after birth, but don't go overboard... I bought a cheap supermarket pack 2 sizes above my usual size, however, although comfy, I actually found I didn't need them (my usual bikini style underwear was still comfortable with the 'big pads').

I would have wanted 'big knickers' if I'd had a C-section (so that nothing rubbed against the scar), however you could always send someone to the shops should that happen.

People use maternity pads because a) they are thicker, longer, and more absorbent - post birth bleeding is a lot heavier than period for most women, b) they don't have a plastic mesh on the surface of the pad as conventional sanitary towels do, which presents an infection risk in the postpartum period.

You can use any knickers you like with the maternity pads but they should probably be breathable to help prevent infection. You will just have to see how your bleeding goes to see when it's light enough for you to use normal period pants. It could be anything from 2 weeks of bleeding to 10.

Another reason for the big thick maternity pads is they are comfy to sit on with bruising and stitches. Bleeding isn't always very heavy, this time I had very little bleeding but still used up my stock of pads as cushioning.

Great tips, thanks everyone. I'll make sure to have a good mixture of products then, and I'm sure DP can get over any embarrassment and re-stock for me if needs be.

I had already bought some cheap black 'giant pants' quite early on with the recovery period in mind - sadly, now I just call them pants!