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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 / high waisted pants!!!

40 replies

New2020 · 02/08/2020 05:01

Not the most glamorous of subjects!!

I'm almost 27 weeks and a bit concerned as I've started to feel twinges like really mild cramps on my side and down below. I don't know if this is normal and as a FTM whether it's anything to worry about..

It's got me worrying about my hospital bag essentials now...

Are there any types of maternity pads I should be looking for or that work particularly well and how many would I need

Also I know I need to get the high waisted granny pants but I'm clueless as to which size..any help appreciated!

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MinesAPintOfTea · 02/08/2020 05:15

You will want to change your maternity pad every time you need the loo in the first week (very likely to have some tear/healing). So about 10/day. After that things will be healing up and bleeding lightening so thinner pads needing an option.

Original poster

New2020 · 02/08/2020 05:45

Thanks @MinesAPintOfTea that's really helpful

I was thinking of getting the Boots maternity pads to last me a week, then Always ultra night pads (I'm thinking might be better as they are thicker and longer than just regular ones? )

So clueless :(

Always not sure how many sizes to go up on the pants

OP posts:

stellabelle · 02/08/2020 05:54

I'd go up about 2 sizes in the pants. They are naturally loose anyway, but you'll want the bigger waist band for comfort.

MrsMcTats · 02/08/2020 06:18

Agree, about two sizes up on pants and I used the thick Boots pads with all of mine. Blood loss does vary, but I used two or three packs. I then just used normal, smaller pads and panty liners.

ovener · 02/08/2020 08:37

I preferred the lil-lets maternity pads over the boots ones, but it is personal preference. The lil-lets ones are nice and long with great coverage at the back, and not bulky which was great with a painful episiotomy.

Lockdownmum1010 · 02/08/2020 08:52

I used maternity pads (the boots ones were the best, although had some supermarket ones too which were fine) for the first couple of weeks, then switched to normal sanitary towels. Bleeding wise I probably could have switched earlier, but the maternity ones were much softer on my sore bits!! In the first week or two you will want to change them every couple of hours if you've got stitches/grazed etc to prevent infection, so you'll get through a fair few!

Pants wise, I just bought some cheap briefs in the next size up and they were fine.

Guineapiggiesmalls · 02/08/2020 08:58

Echoing what previous posters have said - I went up two sizes and just got some black (definitely black!), full briefs from Asda.

One thing I would say is not to underestimate how many maternity pads you’ll need! Our local (enormous) Boots didn’t stock them in store, so I had to wait for online delivery which was a pain. Better to have too many than too few.

RowboatsinDisguise · 02/08/2020 08:59

I used natracare maternity pads and have to say they were lovely. They felt breathable and soft due to being cotton. Once the heavier bleeding had subsided (about a week) I swapped to cloth panty liners.

I would avoid the thinner plasticy type sanitary towels (the always, Kotex etc. types) as I find they make things a bit sweaty and unpleasant. Go for the more old fashioned pillowy type.

RowboatsinDisguise · 02/08/2020 09:00

As for pants, just go massive 😂 I’m usually a 10 and wore 16-18 pants for months after my section. I lost all the baby weight quite quickly too, they were just so comfy!

Dozer · 02/08/2020 09:00

You don’t necessarily need the granny pants!

Rainy88 · 02/08/2020 09:14

I've been told the boots ones are too thin and to go for supermarket own brand but then I'm a FTM with no personal experience! Also interested in the pants thing, I'm normally a 10/12, what size would you recommend? And what style? What are people's thoughts on disposable pants?

LatteLover12 · 02/08/2020 09:23

Baby number 3 is due in 6 weeks! I've bought 100% cotton full briefs from M&S in a size 14 (I'm usually a 10) and I've bought the boots maternity pads.

I agree with the PP who said to avoid the plastic pads that you'd usually get for a normal period. They're really uncomfortable and don't feel very hygienic.

I bled in varying degrees of heaviness for 8 weeks last time and that was after a section so don't underestimate how long things might go on for.

Good luck with your baby x

Original poster

New2020 · 02/08/2020 09:41

Thanks everyone. I couldnt sleep thinking about all of this and feeling a bit stupid..hormonal cry!

I think I'll try the Boots pads from what everyone is saying. How many packets did you guys get through? I don't want to buy way too many but also don't want to run out when there's a baby to deal with

Also on granny pants is that two sizes up from your pre pregnancy size?

OP posts:

Monkeyseesmonkeydoesnt · 02/08/2020 10:37

I'd get 3 packs of pads and then you'll definitely have enough to cover the first 10 days x

RavenRituals · 02/08/2020 10:45

I used the Boots pads but then I didn't have heavy bleeding, it was lighter than my normal period and lasted about 10 days. You won't know how many you'll need til you give birth but if you end up with stitches the thicker pads are more comfortable!

In terms of knickers I went 2 sizes up in big pants and then after a week I was able to wear my normal pants (lace top bikini briefs from m&s!) in 1 size bigger as they're nice and stretchy.

Havlerr · 02/08/2020 10:48

Highly recommend the Asda high waisted pants, I had to leave a review for them online they were that good! I’m normally a 10 and sized up to a 14. Packed 5 of them in my hospital bag and have been wearing the remaining two from the pack now as I’m 38 weeks now and feeling massive. They are so comfy and good quality, much better than primark ones.

FTM so haven’t tested them out yet but I’ve packed one packet of the thick pillowy Boots pads. We live a few mins away from a big Boots so planning on sending DH to get more if I like them - didn’t want to stock up if they were not comfortable or thick enough! The pack has 10 in them so should be enough for the first couple of days when the bleeding is heaviest I imagine.

boymum4 · 02/08/2020 13:59

Hi op,

Any thick maternity pads should be fine! I ended up having a c section so high wasted pants are still my life over 3 weeks on because of the scar! I was a size 8 pre pregnancy and am now a size 10 but I'm wearing size 16 knickers. You'll be so pleased that they aren't tight c section or natural birth! Xx

BwanaMakubwa · 02/08/2020 14:07

Yes to thick bricklike pads to begin with. Avoid Always or other superthin pads in the postnatal period. I made this mistake and got thrush - midwife said this is very common as the top layer is irritating to postnatal bits.

After the first few days you can size down to any basic pad that doesn't have a "keepdry" plasticy layer on top.

randomsabreuse · 02/08/2020 14:11

If you're switching to STs from big pad make very sure the sanitary towels are not "fresh" or "scented" because that will make everything itch so badly. Even if they are normally not a problem, don't do it!!!

Caspianberg · 02/08/2020 14:20

Unless your bum has gained weight in pregnancy, it won't magically gain weight the day you give birth. Therefore I would just buy pants in the size you are now

Gave birth 3 months ago. Pre pregnancy was 8, just bought size 8 pack of plain black pants and they were fine afterwards.

Also used lilets pads, worked well

mintich · 02/08/2020 14:26

I bought high waisted M&S pants in 2 sizes bigger. I also used Boots maternity pads. Dont buy any normal pads especially with wings as they will irritate you if you have stitches.

kikibo · 02/08/2020 14:26

I used incontinence pads for the first few days (first week with my first). Only used 2-3 a day. No need to change umpteen times. One pack of those was even too much after hospital (though here in Germany, they provide them for you).

Then switched to normal pads.

Megan2018 · 02/08/2020 14:31

I liked the thick Boots maternity pads for the first few days then switched to the thin ones. I bought 4 packs of each and had some left over but I live rurally so wasn’t able to just nip out for supplies and I prepped for a section (didn’t have one).

Ordinary sanitary towels have a mesh covering which can really irritate stitches so are best avoided.

Mum2b2020 · 02/08/2020 14:34

I echo the boots maternity pads, not the boots slimline maternity pads. There is a big difference and they are probably the ones the pp heard about them being too thin. The regular boots maternity pads are nice and thick and are good for providing padding when sitting even when you're not bleeding much anymore. I had my first baby in April and my coccyx is still sore. I wore pads for about 6 weeks but so bought a lot of pads. They are much better imo than the always period ones as they are usually perfumed and can irritate the area especially if you have stitches - which most people do.

Megan2018 · 02/08/2020 14:34

@kikibo that’s an infection risk! If you have stitches you should change every 2hrs whether pad full or not. 2-3 times is grim!

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