Maxi pad question

FutureMrsW9

I've seen a lot of STMs commenting that the pads in the hospital are just so ridiculously big so this time you're planning to bring your own, my SIL also said the same thing.  So my question...what brand/size/flow/etc. do you recommend getting?  I haven't bought a maxi pad in 15 years so I have no clue what to get and what will work well for our purposes.  Obviously I want to get something as thin as possible, but know it will probably still need to be pretty thick and an 'interesting' thing to get used to for a while.  I know I'll also need them for when I get home from the hospital, so why not check it off the list now!

LindsayDesigner

Last time I used Always infinity pads, heavy flow and then regular flow. It was nice to wear a pad that wasn't an inch thick.

MrsCase1

I second the Always Infinity line. I would buy the overnights because they're super thin but have adequate "wings." I never used pads prior to pregnancy, either and I find them the least offensive/icky.

k318

I used the hospital pads for the first couple of days while it was super heavy and my regular pads would not have worked. After it slowed a little I switched to up&up ultra thin overnight pads. They were thin so they were comfortable, I needed something long and were absorbent enough. I wore this in the day as well as at night. I plan on doing the same this time.

Ashes92813

Great question. Thanks for posting... Now my mom recommends getting dog training, absorbent pee pads to sleep on too, for leakage. Anyone else use anything similar?

tbmadeamistake

Everything is all swollen and uncomfortable down there anyway the first couple of days, so the thicker pads didn't bother me that much when added to the overall discomfort.  Plus, they were free...once I got home and was sleeping on my own sheets, I switched to the Always Ultra with wings, heaviest flow/longest I could find and went down in steps from there. 

mtrhomegirl

Yeah great question...i have been wondering the same thing since i always wear tampons and i do remember the ones from the hospital were so thick but i couldn't remember what i used 6 years ago with DD:)

twistsandturnsto2

First off, how in the heck did you manage to get through IF without having something done that required a maxi afterwards :P Lucky Duck! Always Infinity have always worked for me, just as PP said.

Sort of a spin off question here.... Any STMs make or use the pad-cicles after their first delivery? Any links to share about how to best go about it?

MrsCase1

@ashes92813 I got a mattress cover for the last few weeks before I deliver and the first few months while bed-sharing, etc.

gregsgurl81304

Most definitely bring your own.  I vote for always infinity

FutureMrsW9

@twistsandturnsto2 said:

First off, how in the heck did you manage to get through IF without having something done that required a maxi afterwards :P Lucky Duck! Always Infinity have always worked for me, just as PP said. Sort of a spin off question here.... Any STMs make or use the pad-cicles after their first delivery? Any links to share about how to best go about it?

Haha I never got my period EVER (i.e. the need for IF treatments), and nothing ever made me bleed more than just a little spotting.  I guess I did have some panty liners in there from time to time, but I stole those from the drawers in my RE's office after they'd leave the room!  The one period I did have was between ER and FET and by then I was able to use tampons.

Glad you asked about the pad-sicles, too!  I was going to add that!

FutureMrsW9

MrsCase1 What kind of mattress cover is this you speak of?  I didn't know they made them for adults! haha

katekat8721

twistsandturnsto2 said:

First off, how in the heck did you manage to get through IF without having something done that required a maxi afterwards :P Lucky Duck! Always Infinity have always worked for me, just as PP said. Sort of a spin off question here.... Any STMs make or use the pad-cicles after their first delivery? Any links to share about how to best go about it?

lol, I was thinking that too! I always had to use the RE's super sexy pads after the dildo cam haha.

I bought Always overnight super heavy flow extra long with wings and all that stuff. I usually really love the Infinity pads but I didn't know how they'd work right afterwards. Once I use up the huge-ass diaper pads then I'll switch to the thinner ones. Also curious how to make pad-sicles!

MrsCase1

@Futuremrsw9 yeh they make them for adults!! they're exactly like the ones for cribs. you can get a pricey on from bed, bath & beyond for like $70 or you can get a cheap one from Wal-mart for like $20.

TonyaCody06

Always Infinity

ncbelle

I used the Always overnights extra longs with wings for the first few days (so a pack will do) and then switched (can't remember to exactly what but something thinner with wings - prefer the extra long ones).

tbmadeamistake

I did not use padsicles, but I did put tucks pads in the fridge and I'd lay those over the pad so they touched my skin...felt amazing and the witch hazel does a great job helping with the swelling/discomfort. 

texasmama2014

Question about the need of pads: How long will I be bleeding/needing them?

TonyaCody06

sjdihle said:

Question about the need of pads: How long will I be bleeding/needing them?

I bled for at least a month and then started my cycles again at 6 weeks PP with all 3 of my kids even with exclusive BFing

allrightmeow

I have a question since I have not used pads in forever.  I know some of them have that plasticy layer on top.  I used one of those once and hated it.  I felt wet constantly and it irritated my skin down there.  Id rather get the more cottony kind.  I feel they were more aborbant and I didn't have that wet feeling.  Can I get some brand suggestions?  Im flying blind.  

texasmama2014

TonyaCody06 Well that sucks.  No one tells you these things!!!!

curlylocks3

Not a STM but I got Kotex maxi pads; I had heard great things about the Always Infinity brand but I get a rash from them. I've been happy with the Kotex so far- I don't find them too bulky.

LadyMacaron

The Kotex overnights (I think they are the "U" line) aren't that bulky and pretty comfortable. I have pretty crazy periods and have used them after surgery, they work well.

ChristineBaker23

Ashes92813 said:

Great question. Thanks for posting... Now my mom recommends getting dog training, absorbent pee pads to sleep on too, for leakage. Anyone else use anything similar?

I would not recommend dog training pads because they are usually "scented" to attract the dog to pee on them. My hospital sent home a couple of the pads they put under you in your bed that I used when I sat on my couch but only for fear of peeing myself. Maybe ask if you can have one to take home from the hospital if your concerned? I found a towel was a lot more comfortable than the pads.

As for pads INSIDE my undies I liked the stay free overnight pads and found they were quite absorbent. Because I do not usually use pads I bought a couple smallish packages of two different kinds and just tried them out. I got one with wings and one without. Personally I found the ones without wings to be more comfortable because the wings would get stuck to my thighs. After reading all these I may give always Infinity a shot

Katieluc106

I bled for a week and a half then started my regular cycle 28 days after I stopped. Like clock work. @sjdihle‌

chloephoebecali

I got my mattress pad at target. It's soft (not plastic) yet waterproof. It's good for boob leakage, too. We always have it on the bed to protect the mattress. Kids have the same, too.

I just used the hospital ones. I did not want to bring more crap to the hospital and I felt they worked pretty well.  My hospital provides the ice pack pads.  I never had to make them because they provided more than enough.  They also provided to take home: dermoplast, witch hazel pads, a spritzer to rinse after going, and a sitz bath.

Ashes92813

@ChristineBaker23‌, oh wow I didn't think of that! Lol I'll tell my mom. Thanks for the heads up!

fsumom

I bought Always overnight maxi pads.    

PinkKEL9

I swear by Always pads with wings (not the infinity line). I alternate between pads and tampons during my periods and Always never lets me down. I usually use really thin ones, you can't even feel them. But I bought a pack of the huge maxi ones for right after delivery. 

stephpaez

LindsayDesigner said:

Last time I used Always infinity pads, heavy flow and then regular flow. It was nice to wear a pad that wasn't an inch thick.

^^^^^^^^^^
This!!!

meritsamomma

lpetrillo said:

I used the hospital pads for the first couple of days while it was super heavy and my regular pads would not have worked. After it slowed a little I switched to up&up ultra thin overnight pads. They were thin so they were comfortable, I needed something long and were absorbent enough. I wore this in the day as well as at night. I plan on doing the same this time.

So glad to see this since I just picked up those exact pads at Target! I've never used pads so good to see I chose well

MarciP83

Maybe I just bled a LOT but I used TWO of the hospital pads at first, overlapping in the middle to get maximum panty coverage. After the first week or so, I switched to just one ginormous pad, but still bled through it often. Took me a good 4-6 weeks for it to completely stop, both times I have birth....

ElTrain5

Did anyone use those adorable adult diapers that look like panties? Like maybe in the hospital after birth? I'm assuming they'd probably be overkill after a couple of days, but I'm curious if they'd work like the mesh panties some hospitals give out.