Maternity Pads
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Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=19337
Printed Date: 22 August 2025 at 7:34am
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Topic: Maternity Pads
Posted By: M.i.s.s.y
Subject: Maternity Pads
Date Posted: 21 July 2008 at 3:41pm
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Hello,
Im sure there have been topic's on this b4, lol, but cant b bothered looking. 
Im in the process of packing my hospital bag & just getting prepared 4 once bubs is born, & would like to know what brand of maternity pads u ladys who have had babies used. Any brands 2 avoid?? How many should I buy to start with? Do ya really have 2 wear 2 @ once??? 
Thanks Ladies -------------    
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Replies:
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 21 July 2008 at 3:50pm
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At the hospital I used the hospital ones. To begin with (first 24 hours) yes I used 2 pads. Then I got a bag of Libra maternity ones. My bleeding settled really fast so went down to regular ones till 2 weeks was up and could us tampons again (was given permission from my MW to use them then) ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 21 July 2008 at 4:10pm
| I used hospital ones while I was there and took a pack of them home with me. For the first day I used 2 pads at once. Once home i used stayfree maternity pads which I looooved. They were soft n comfy. They were really fat but I found that great, nice on my sore girly bits lol |
Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 21 July 2008 at 4:12pm
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I was told not to use tampons for the first 2 periods after the first bleeding stopped.
As for pads, I heard that the thick ones (I used hospital ones and then stayfree) were good for stitches etc. so I got 2 packs of those, and I heard that some people found the libra thinner ones more comfortable so I got two packs of those too. I used ALL of them  as well as extras from the hospital... I used the thick ones first and then once I was more comfortable after the stitches and things I used the thinner libra ones.
I think it's really just a personal preference though. Oh and for the first couple of days, I had to change my pads like every half hour to hour.  ------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 21 July 2008 at 4:28pm
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I used the hospital ones while I was there, and like everyone else it was 2 for the first couple of days, with a bluey (those blue plastic things they put under you on the bed) behind them to catch any leaks. I brought a pack of hospital ones home, and I had also bought some Stayfree Ultrathin maternity pads, but I found the thicker ones more comfy even tho I don't have stitches. Now using Libra Extra Supers which are nice and thick and comfy too. -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: M.i.s.s.y
Date Posted: 21 July 2008 at 5:03pm
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Interesting...
So r u given the hospital 1s? or can ya just steal them??? hehee -------------
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Posted By: BugTeeny
Date Posted: 21 July 2008 at 5:13pm
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I used the hospital ones, two at a time with the blue sheeting that Maya mentioned while in hospital.
I "stole" two packs of the hospital ones, and a few of the blue sheeting things, too. But day 3 I was down to one at a time and day 5 I was down to Libra ultra thins. The hospital would replace my pads each time they got low, so I smuggled a pack into my bag and got given two more to replace it. I used one while in hosp and took the other home ------------- 
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Posted By: Bubnumber2
Date Posted: 21 July 2008 at 5:17pm
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I used the hospital ones for the first little while too, you go through so many that you might as well! After that I used some that I had bought, Stayfree Maternity pads.
I've heard that most women need to use 2 at a time at first, but I didn't actually find it necessary for myself personally, though I was changing every 1/2 hour...if only as an attempt to feel 'clean'.
The bleeding I had was actually nowhere near as bad as I was expecting it to be afterward. ------------- http://www.bump-and-beyond.com/"> 
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Posted By: AliaDawn
Date Posted: 21 July 2008 at 5:38pm
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I only got 2 packs from hospital, that was all they'd give you, so I wouldn't depend on hospital ones... that lasted all of about a day if that lol. I used 2 for the first one, right after he was born, then one at a time after that. Did have to change them quite often though. -------------  
 
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Posted By: myfullhouse
Date Posted: 21 July 2008 at 5:39pm
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I used the hospital ones while I was there and then took the pack I was half way through home with me. I used a combo of the light pink pack (libra maternity??) and the dark purple (libra nighttime??), needed about 4 or so packets and then the bleeding slowed and moved to normal pads for a few days ------------- Lindsey 
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Posted By: Chickoin
Date Posted: 21 July 2008 at 6:32pm
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How do you use 2 at a time...? Like on top of each other? -------------   
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Posted By: sonyaw
Date Posted: 21 July 2008 at 6:45pm
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straight after birth i used a newborn nappy just for bout the first half an hour to an hour (best idea from my midwife) then used hospital ones while there and i used 2 at a time 1 in front of other some people do it side by side its just what works best for you at the time.
after hospital i cant remember what sort i used mostly (the light pink/peach pack libra i think??)but i do know i used the budget super pads for the 1st couple of days as i never managed to steal any from hospital and i was only there 1 night and budget are closest i found to the hospital ones. at the end of the day its each to their own so long as i does the job, oh and i used tampons after 2 weeks too ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
SHAY 9 QUIN 7 2 angels @9wk 1 day on 30-04-09 our angel 6-06-07 |
Posted By: becky
Date Posted: 21 July 2008 at 6:52pm
Hey missy ive brought some stayfree pads and budget pads my friend uses the budget pads. She hasnt had any leaking and as she said its only blood so why pay more. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: sonyaw
Date Posted: 21 July 2008 at 6:57pm
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lol becky thats my take on it too pretty much i also know from when i had my m/c last year i got pads from the warehouse they were only $2 a pack! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
SHAY 9 QUIN 7 2 angels @9wk 1 day on 30-04-09 our angel 6-06-07 |
Posted By: emmakate
Date Posted: 21 July 2008 at 7:44pm
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have to say brilliant idea about using a nappy for the first hour or so... will remember that one!!
------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: M.i.s.s.y
Date Posted: 21 July 2008 at 8:14pm
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excellent, thanks ladies.
lol & i like the idea of stealing hospital 1s, & then using budget 1s!!! & the nappy sounds like an awesum idea, thanks Sonya & ur MW  -------------
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 21 July 2008 at 8:15pm
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I used the hospital ones for the most part, it's nice to have thick ones while you are a bit swollen and sore down there. When I left the hospital, I took the rest of the opened packet with me (they come in packs of 10), I don't think they'd be allowed to use them anyway? Anyway don't buy too many, after about a week I go down to just ordinary super/regular pads. So I think I went through just 1 or 2 packs of ones I had bought. ------------- |
Posted By: cat007
Date Posted: 21 July 2008 at 8:47pm
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I used hospital ones for the first couple of days. Then into Libra maternity pads. I went through quite a few packets but it settled down after about 4 weeks for me.
The hospitals use a super soft, thick pad, similar to the budget ones. I would recommend using Budget brand pads if you end up with stitches as they cause less irritation to them and provide a lot of padding making it more comfortable for you to sit down afterwards. Lots of people I know also recommend them for stitches. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  [/url http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Danaj
Date Posted: 21 July 2008 at 9:25pm
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How long does the bleeding last? Emmakate, you're at Linton? Linton manawatu? ------------- http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wyI1oWn/"> 
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Posted By: Bubnumber2
Date Posted: 21 July 2008 at 9:28pm
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Danaj, I think it's different for everyone. With my first it only lasted about 2.5-3 weeks, but a friend of mine has said it kept going for her for well over 8 weeks. ------------- http://www.bump-and-beyond.com/">
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Posted By: sonyaw
Date Posted: 21 July 2008 at 9:33pm
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my first i bled for the 6 weeks they warn you about but was very light the last 2 weeks of that , then with number 2 it was 3 weeks max am hoping it gets less this time too ....a friend of mine only bled for 3 days after her second lucky girl!!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
SHAY 9 QUIN 7 2 angels @9wk 1 day on 30-04-09 our angel 6-06-07 |
Posted By: ellen
Date Posted: 22 July 2008 at 8:03pm
| I've had a couple of friends who've used the Tena pants for the first couple of days - one had a casaerian and found them good with her wound as well. Would be much like using a nappy but more comfortable and secure I guess? |
Posted By: Daizy
Date Posted: 22 July 2008 at 8:13pm
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I also used nappies straight after having Maddi, I thought i seemed so strange at first but was atcually quite comfy and held heaps.
I went home a few hours after she was born and they gave a couple of packets of their Maternity pads. The lasted me about a week and then I went straight to regular pads which I used for about 5 weeks then then just liners for another 2. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 22 July 2008 at 9:24pm
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I went through packs and packs of them! Stayfree maternity were so comfy on stitches. Changed them every half hour to an hour for the first couple of days. I bled for 5 1/2 weeks I think, last 2 weeks was just like a regular/light period though, so I switched to normal pads at 3 weeks.
Oh and I got TWO pads from the hospital. That's all. So definitely don't count on getting them at all. The only reason I got mine was because I asked for them, not because they offered them. |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 23 July 2008 at 8:09am
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I got told off at Birthcare for using a whole pack of pads in the first night, the m/w was all paranoid that my bleeding was too heavy but it was just coz they come in packs of 10 and I was using 2 at a time and changing every time I went to the bathroom.
As for how long the bleeding lasts, with Maya it was around 4 weeks, with the gremlins it was 5 weeks but I had retained products so that made it go on longer, and Chiara is two weeks today and I am still bleeding but light enough for just an ultrathin super pad. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: angel4
Date Posted: 23 July 2008 at 5:34pm
| emz, where did you birth if you don't mind me asking? i'm in chch too |
Posted By: scarecrowfarm
Date Posted: 24 July 2008 at 3:03pm
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I used the hospital ones initially and I think there were about 10 of those. I'd bought 4 packs of maternity pads, but really I could have managed without anything as heavy duty as that. About 2 days post birth, bleeding was about the same as the second day of my period. I ended up using those pads for months afterwards for AF and still have some left.
But everyone is so different and personally I'd prefer to have a bit more than not enough at that stage. ------------- Robyn www.scarecrowfarm.co.nz |
Posted By: chonny
Date Posted: 24 July 2008 at 4:09pm
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i used the hospital ones. i took a pack with me just in case. Bu tat birthcare i was given a pack, and for the first day or so used two at a time but then went down to one at a time. When at home i used the bluie pack. i thought they were stayfree? One thing i do reccomend tho, get a few pairs of granny knickers a size too big so that they can hold the big pads. also granny cheapo knickers you won't mind so much if they get stained. best advice i got given when preggy, on that and when you pee, lean forward so your hands are almost on the ground as it stops the urine stinging espesh if you've had stitches -------------   
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Posted By: kmarie
Date Posted: 26 July 2008 at 12:04pm
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Great advice ta girls! Will think on it all as I start getting my hospital bag ready.
Someone mentioned disposable knickers to me at one point... does anyone have any views or suggestions on them? ------------- 
twins in heaven Oct07 Is 40:11 "He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart." |
Posted By: chonny
Date Posted: 26 July 2008 at 12:21pm
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i have heard they are great as you just chuck em away so meansa less washing to do, and also means when you may go through a whole lot of undies and run out, you won't with disposables. someone had suggested them to me too, but i couldn't find any when i was looking. Not sure on the price of them tho -------------
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Posted By: scarecrowfarm
Date Posted: 26 July 2008 at 12:26pm
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I don't know how well they'd work for maternity purposes to be honest though. For instance how good a fit are you going to be able to get. You don't want loose and baggy when you have pads in there. Also, comfort is pretty important post partum. Knickers don't need to cost a great deal and personally I'd prefer real ones than disposables.
One other observation that I'd like to make also. When Lucy was born it was during the heat of summer and it was a hot sticky summer so easy to sweat. I found the maternity pads chafed horribly at times on the sides of my legs. It was worse than the episiotomy at one point in time. Because of this I'm planning to keep my disposable pad use to a minimum and use cloth pads once flow is a wee bit lighter. They don't chafe nearly as badly. ------------- Robyn www.scarecrowfarm.co.nz |
Posted By: MummyFreckle
Date Posted: 26 July 2008 at 2:01pm
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I used the Stayfree pads and they were fantastic, really comfortable on my stiches. The other tip I have is to pop a couple of pads in the freezer (in their plastic wrapping!!) and they are great if you are all swollen and tender from stiches!
------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: chonny
Date Posted: 26 July 2008 at 6:40pm
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sim sam, i too had heard that one, never did it tho -------------
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Posted By: J&Ls mum
Date Posted: 27 July 2008 at 8:11am
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I birthed at Chch Womens and after they unhooked me from the tubes the next morning and i had a shower i didn't get anymore pads. If i had of known that i would have taken a packet of the ones in the birthing suite.
I had Libra maternity pads (thin ones) and asked my friend to go out and get me a couple packets of the big SOFT surfboards that the hospital uses. ------------- J - born 26th April 2008 and L - born 3rd Sept 2010 http://alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: DJ
Date Posted: 27 July 2008 at 10:16am
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I recommend "stocking up" on pads from the hospital (I was only there 4 hrs after A was born but I mananged to score a few packs) As for knickers, as long as I changed pads regularly, I didn't get any leakage on knickers, so there was no need for disposables etc. I went thru approx 2 packs from hosp, a pack of stayfree surfboards, then thinner libra ones, and panty liners for a couple of days at the end. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 27 July 2008 at 10:42am
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CWH doesn't supply maternity pads for after the birth, they were happy to give me tons before hand for my leaking waters though. They only supply one small packet of baby wipes as well so if you are there for a few days make sure you take your own.
I only bled for 2 weeks total, first week was heavy and then was just like a light period. I had a c/s though so I don't know if that affects things. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: mum2paris
Date Posted: 27 July 2008 at 1:12pm
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Yep c-sections do tend to make thing slighter as they tend to kinda clean things up a bit while they're in there.
I think i got only 1 pack of hospital ones and went thru them pretty quick. After that i used libra goodnights - the nice thick ones - for a good week or so before going to the libra maternity ones - then i found i could go back to my usual invisibles ones. I took forever to stop - about 8 weeks in total each time. ------------- Janine and her 2 cool chicks, Paris & Ayja 
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 27 July 2008 at 3:07pm
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I didn't find it leaked onto my pants, but then I used one of the blueys behind my pads, and the first day I sat up in bed in just a t-shirt and undies coz it was so warm in there. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: chonny
Date Posted: 28 July 2008 at 9:17pm
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i just wore clothes. i think i wore the same ones the two days i was there. mainly coz i wasn't sure bout leaving V unattended etc. Changed before going home, and of course i wasn't in same clothes form the labour as i had bled through onto those the first night with the angle i was sleeping on. I was thinking bout things the other night & i remember i would only need to change the top pad, but i always kept the bottom one on as more often than not it didn't need changing. I have a feeling i did that for the first 4-5 days actually. (wore two pads) -------------
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Posted By: M.i.s.s.y
Date Posted: 29 July 2008 at 12:42pm
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Ohhh, good point chonny, i did think we would have 2 go through heaps if ya had 2 change both each time. -------------
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Posted By: chonny
Date Posted: 29 July 2008 at 2:11pm
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yea, i foudn that if i changed them every time i went toilet (which i normally do when wearing pads for af anyways as i hate that wet yucky feeling sorry tmi) but yea, found it was regular enough to keep the bottom pad on without changing that too every time. sometimes if it had been on for a while i might need to change both, but cut down on the changes that's for sure -------------
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Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 29 July 2008 at 3:42pm
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I lived in the hospital nighties for the first few days (though was mostly in bed due to PPH); then I went into my black trackies during the day. I'm still using Stayfree mat pads at night and when I go out but have just "downgraded" to Super pads for at home (11 days post baby). I'm not sure if I bleed more than normal because of the PPH, or if I'm just a heavy bleeder. ------------- Mum to two wee boys |