Always Pads

Ceb2015

Hi,

I'm almost a week PP and I wanted to share something I had to learn the hard way after having the baby.

Prior to giving birth I stocked up on pads- the Always maxi pads because they gave the greatest coverage. Well two days PP, I developed an irritation that is incredibly painful. My midwife asked if I was using Always pads and I said yes. She said they commonly irritate a lot of PP women, due to the chemicals used on the surface. So I stopped using them and went and bought organic pads.

The experience is really unpleasant so I wanted to advise Against using them if you have a choice.

I hope everyone is enjoying their new babies and GL to those still pregnant!

Cook3133

That sucks! Guess I got lucky, I used them for 3 weeks no problem. Hope you feel better soon!

SoFlaMommie1128

Thanks for the tip!! I'm not PP yet (hopefully will be in the next few days) but I bought Always pads and will return them for a different brand.

Ceridwen77

I've been using them for 3 weeks without a problem. Sorry to hear you're having issues with them.

grapesoda1111

I got some major chafing from wearing them the last few days. My bleeding has been lighter so I've been able to get by with just a thin pantiliner!

sadyy131

Ive definitely preferred the cottony ones that were given at the hospital. Kotex also makes more of a cotton-feel pad (I'm thinking it's probably synthetic) but it feels so much better than the plasticky feeling pads.

elbou

Ceb2015 said:

Hi, I'm almost a week PP and I wanted to share something I had to learn the hard way after having the baby. Prior to giving birth I stocked up on pads- the Always maxi pads because they gave the greatest coverage. Well two days PP, I developed an irritation that is incredibly painful. My midwife asked if I was using Always pads and I said yes. She said they commonly irritate a lot of PP women, due to the chemicals used on the surface. So I stopped using them and went and bought organic pads. The experience is really unpleasant so I wanted to advise Against using them if you have a choice. I hope everyone is enjoying their new babies and GL to those still pregnant!

Thank you so much for explaining this! One of the two midwife practices near me specifically advises against Always on their website, but doesn't give a reason for it. I've been wondering why for 3+ years! I've used them after all of my older kids without issues and couldn't figure it out! Guess I'm one of the lucky ones?

kdsmith43

sadyy131 said:

Ive definitely preferred the cottony ones that were given at the hospital. Kotex also makes more of a cotton-feel pad (I'm thinking it's probably synthetic) but it feels so much better than the plasticky feeling pads.

This is what I was going to say, that plastic feeling coating on them is awful and doesn't leave much room for the lady bits to breathe.

french_mani

Thanks for the heads up! I have a giant bag filled with various brands and types!

urby87

I get a rash/chafing pretty much every time I have to use a pad, no matter the brand (with the exception of cloth).  I always thought it was the plastic-y material, not a chemical coating...

rubirubi89

Thank GOD I'm now able to do with only a panty liner but I did get a small rash with the always pads. they were great pads though! Always infinity with flex foam to be specific.

Ceb2015

Glad my experience can maybe help you ladies. My midwife explained that not all women have a reaction but it's the most common brand to get irritation. I was surprised because I use them for periods with no problem. My midwife even said she has written to the company on several occasions!

lyankowi

Huh...just finished a maxi package and bought thin ones, they've been.my preferred brand for years. Hopefully I won't have issues.

MargaretC5

I have sensitive skin, but luckly the always infinity pads did not bother me. Thanks for the warning, just in case I do have a reaction to them later.

oliarnmom1517

I have been using them since I got home and have for years and have never had an issue.. Always is actually the brand I personally prefer.. However that's just me! Sorry your having issues!!

crysgx

I used them for a few days but switched, I didn't get a rash but I felt them very uncomfortable. I believe if I would have continued using them I probably would have gotten one. I'm down to a panty liner now finally.

greyphoenix

I'm glad I saw this. I always use this brand but usually the infinity pads. I bought the long overnight ones for postpartum use and am horribly chafed but I thought it was from the no rinse soap I using for my episiotomy.

taykerslake

I thought I was sore from just recovering until I noticed I hurt more after wearing the pads compared to my panty liners. My poor bagina

MercyC1130

Uh oh, hope I'm not sensitive to them! I think that was the brand I made padsicles with!
I have a stash of others, but I'm already looking forward to those frozen ones when I get home..

dramaphile

MercyC1130 said:

Uh oh, hope I'm not sensitive to them! I think that was the brand I made padsicles with!
I have a stash of others, but I'm already looking forward to those frozen ones when I get home..

The maxis were fine for me (I used them for padsicles too), but I noticed when I switched to ultrathins on day 3 pp that they were less comfortable. Not a rash or anything, I think just the texture? Bought some Kotex ultrathins instead, which are more cottony, and they feel better.

Knottie02638953

So glad someone posted this or I would have kept using them. Only ran out of the hospital ones about a day and a half ago and have been miserably sore since this morning. For anyone who has this issue once you switched to a different pad how long did it take to get better?

rachswi

I have been reading this thread and thought I was one of the lucky ones who wasn't experiencing irritation. Now my stitches feel swollen and irritated

Ceb2015

Knottie02638953 said:

So glad someone posted this or I would have kept using them. Only ran out of the hospital ones about a day and a half ago and have been miserably sore since this morning. For anyone who has this issue once you switched to a different pad how long did it take to get better?

I switched to organic pads and instantly got relief.. But I also had to take antibiotics to get rid of an infection. Not sure if they caused the infection but the irritation they caused was certainly not fun. Either way I think its pretty fast relief if you catch the irritation early!

queenwog

Thought of this thread tonight. Ran out of the pads I had been using so went and bought a pack of generics from Walmart. Started using them yesterday and have felt horribly uncomfortable today. I checked the package and sure enough, the pads I bought are the generic for Always. Dang it! Going to switch to something else and hope it feels better, because this is awful.

sadyy131

queenwog said:

Thought of this thread tonight. Ran out of the pads I had been using so went and bought a pack of generics from Walmart. Started using them yesterday and have felt horribly uncomfortable today. I checked the package and sure enough, the pads I bought are the generic for Always. Dang it! Going to switch to something else and hope it feels better, because this is awful.

I bought 5 different packs of those in different absorbencies right before I gave birth. Heck I even made padsicles with them. Let me tell you- worst rash/ irritation ever! It was brutal. So glad I had some of the Kotex pads made into padsicles and on hand because those were life savers.

queenwog

Yeah, I had some Kotex in the cabinet so I switched to those and it's so much better. I'm bummed that all I have is maxi pads instead of ultrathins, because I really don't need the maxis anymore, but I'd rather use those than deal with the irritation from Always!

Gwennies

Honestly I have had irritation from those before too. I decided to wear their bladder diapers after delivery and consider myself a genius. The diapers are higher up so I avoid my c section scar, you change them frequently which means less bacteria then underwear, and they are softer and gentler than pads.

sharonholck28

Lurker from the December board... Just curious, did you guys use always pads on your periods before and then for some reason PP they now cause irritation? Just trying to figure out how I should prepare. I usually used always pads but from the sounds of it maybe I should just be safe and stock up on some Kotex?

dramaphile

sharonholck28 said:

Lurker from the December board... Just curious, did you guys use always pads on your periods before and then for some reason PP they now cause irritation? Just trying to figure out how I should prepare. I usually used always pads but from the sounds of it maybe I should just be safe and stock up on some Kotex?

I used always for my periods before pregnancy and had no issues. The issue I think is the sensitivity, swelling, and stitches after a vaginal birth. I am curious to know if any CS mamas (specifically those who didn't get to pushing, or had a scheduled CS) are having issues as well with Always, or just those with sore lady parts.

momma2char

They gave me a terrible chemical burn too that felt like my stitches tore just after wearing them for one day.. Apparently they contain latex I've been told and I'm allergic to latex so maybe that's why? I switched to Kotex as all of their products are latex free and used sudocream on the burn and it resolved within about 3-5 days

Ceb2015

sharonholck28 said:

Lurker from the December board... Just curious, did you guys use always pads on your periods before and then for some reason PP they now cause irritation? Just trying to figure out how I should prepare. I usually used always pads but from the sounds of it maybe I should just be safe and stock up on some Kotex?

I used them before with no problems. TMI, but I reacted so bad to them that they caused my skin to get raw. I think it's a mixture of the chemicals and cover on them as my stitches were internal.

bellie1223

I have used always for a long time, and used them pp with no problems/irritation. I didn't have any stitches or tears though, so maybe that's why?

Ceridwen77

sharonholck28 said:

Lurker from the December board... Just curious, did you guys use always pads on your periods before and then for some reason PP they now cause irritation? Just trying to figure out how I should prepare. I usually used always pads but from the sounds of it maybe I should just be safe and stock up on some Kotex?

I used them before without problem, and after my vaginal birth with 3 stitches with no problem.

sharonholck28

Thanks ladies! I went and bought some Kotex and I still have my always pads so either way I'll be prepared!