Which pads to choose for women in labor?

After giving birth, selecting the appropriate pads is crucial to a woman’s comfort and wellbeing throughout her recuperation. The body undergoes major changes following delivery, and lochia, or postpartum hemorrhage, is a normal healing process. During this stage, having sturdy and cozy pads can be quite beneficial.

It can be difficult to determine which kind of pad is ideal for the particular requirements of laboring women because there are so many options available. While choosing the ideal product, considerations like comfort, material, and absorbency are all very important.

This post will discuss the various kinds of postpartum pads, their advantages, and how to select the one that best suits your requirements. Every new mom can find the ideal fit, regardless of whether she prefers a more natural option or something extra absorbent.

Purpose

Regular pads that can be bought in any store or pharmacy are not suitable for the early postpartum period. The fact is that after childbirth, a larger volume of discharge comes from the genital tract than during menstruation. These discharges are called lochia and consist mainly of blood. It is released in large quantities from the blood vessels that are damaged when the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus, because during the period of bearing a baby, the “baby"s place” and the reproductive organ grow tightly together. As the placental wound heals, clots appear in the discharge, and then serous fluid. This composition makes lochia potentially dangerous to the health of the woman in labor.

The lack of endometrial particles and enzymes sets them apart from menstrual discharge. However, lochia’s high red blood cell count creates an ideal environment for the growth of harmful bacteria. If this process starts, there will almost always be serious inflammatory fallout.

Therefore, improved liquid absorption and retention capacity as well as sterility are the primary needs that postpartum pads need to fulfill. As a result, using sterile hospital pads during the first few days following childbirth is advised; these pads must be cleaned and sterilized.

A woman can start using the hygiene products she brought to the maternity hospital by the end of the second day. If these are customized postpartum pads, that is preferable. This is a practical hygiene product that satisfies the previously listed essential criteria.

If the laboring woman chooses her pads wisely, they will maximally adapt anatomically to the natural curves and shapes of her perineum, thereby providing comfort. Because of their softness and lack of chafing and perspiration, they can be worn even after a perineum dissection during childbirth, known as an episiotomy. Their enhanced ability to protect is their primary advantage. After giving birth, changing the pads frequently will lessen the chance of infection and inflammation. Hygiene products are hypoallergenic and do not irritate the skin or cause rashes or perineal swelling in laboring women.

How are they different from regular ones?

• Size – hygiene products for women in labor are longer and wider, their outer adhesive surface is much wider than most regular pads. Size matters in this case, since the increased width eliminates leakage even when lying on your back.
• Material – the outer top layer in special pads always consists of materials with a high degree of air permeability, which is important for drying out tears and seams on the perineum, if any.
• Filler – can absorb four glasses of liquid. Regular pads cannot boast of such a capability. Some types of postpartum hygiene products are even able to absorb small and medium-sized blood clots.
• Impregnation – most postpartum pads are impregnated with special anti-inflammatory compounds that increase the effectiveness of antibacterial prophylaxis.

However, the "droplets," which women use to gauge the absorbent capacity and intended use of differing amounts of discharge, are the same for both conventional and special hygiene products. This greatly simplifies the choosing process.

Types

The names and levels of absorbency of labor pads vary, but so does their design. The following are available on the market today for these products:

• anatomical pads – maximally repeating the curves of the perineum;
• urological pads – perfectly absorb both lochia and urine when it leaks, have increased bactericidal properties;
• disposable postpartum panties – they already have a wide and long pad inserted into them. This is convenient, since the hygiene product will not need to be held and adjusted.

Any pads can be chosen and brought to the birth by the woman. Only questions about throwaway underwear come up. They can’t always be used, and they cost a lot more than other kinds of products. These underwear, for instance, will obstruct the healing process following a cesarean section and exert pressure on the bandage area and the suture that was placed underneath it.

Comfort, absorbency, and skin-friendly materials should be given top priority when selecting pads for women who are going into labor. Choosing pads made especially for new mothers is essential because postpartum bleeding can be severe and they provide additional protection and coverage. To prevent discomfort during recovery, look for breathable, soft, hypoallergenic pads that reduce irritation.

Overview of popular brands

It can be challenging to find the right special pads among the many options available to laboring women. As a result, we have evaluated a few hygiene products using feedback from laboring women.

The products with the highest number of positive reviews are ranked first in the list, which is arranged in descending order of positive ratings. Pads that received an honest "three" out of five from women are at the bottom of the list.

Helen Harper

Over the past few decades, this brand of women’s postpartum sanitary pads has held a dominant position in the European market. Because tiny rubber bands are used in place of the typical "wings," they are incredibly easy to use.

The exterior adhesive tape is incredibly dependable and prevents the pad from shifting or leaking because it never peels off or comes loose from the underwear. The products’ lack of perfume scents has no bearing on the outcome because the pad not only perfectly absorbs lochia but also effectively covers offensive blood odors.

Seni

The coating is supple, but the manufacturers don’t provide anything exceptional; it’s a self-assured, dependable, and widely recognized "classic of the genre." One major benefit of these products is that they fall under the urological category, which means that because of a unique bactericidal sorbent, they provide a woman with much better protection against harmful bacteria.

Since the material is entirely natural, if the usage guidelines are followed, diaper rash and perineal sweating are essentially eliminated.

In terms of price, these pads are considered to be quite average, they are much cheaper than the previous ones, and this makes them even more attractive. The absence of "wings," which some women find inconvenient, is the only drawback.

Molimed

These pads, like the majority of items from well-known manufacturer Hartmann, come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. There are pads with and without "wings," extremely potent absorbent products, and pads that are suitable for use when the rehabilitation process is coming to an end and there is very little discharge.

This pad line includes sterile products that can be used as early as the postpartum period (provided the maternity hospital administration does not adhere to rigid Soviet obstetric traditions and permits the mother to use sterile products that she brought with her instead of half-meter pads from a diaper).

One drawback of the pads is that their outer layer is fairly dense, which increases the risk of diaper rash and, if any, weeping near the seams. Not the best decision after an episiotomy and perineal tears.

Samu

Due to their large size, these products are ideal for women who experience irregular and abundant postpartum discharge in the early postpartum period. Because they are sterile and lack a thick, airtight layer, these laboring women’s hygiene products can be used right away after giving birth, even if there were perineal tears or cuts.

Some pads have the drawback of not having side "wings" or a sticky layer on the underwear’s side. While walking, they are difficult to maintain in a stationary position, which increases the possibility of unpleasant leaks. They come at a pretty steep cost. Pads are only offered in one size solution; there is no option for size selection.

"Peligrin"

An inexpensive, "angry" domestic choice. It is among the lowest priced products in this group, so it is accessible to all. The pads have a higher absorption capacity because they are thick and fairly large. There are multiple size options in the brand’s line.

Because the hygiene products "breathe" well, they can be used following perineal tears or surgical dissection. Do not include fragrances or allergens.

The extremely thin and erratic adhesive layer of the pads is one of the obvious drawbacks observed by laboring women. The pad shifts, peels off the underwear fabric easily, and lets leaks through. A totally different effect is produced by the elastic band that the manufacturers included along the edges to help better fix the hygiene product; it rubs and makes it difficult to walk normally.

There are no bactericidal sorbents in the product. It is preferable to use urological products or pads from a different brand with stronger antibacterial protection if the stitches heal slowly and poorly.

Canpol Babies

These feminine hygiene products are incredibly comfortable and soft, but because of their large length relative to their small thickness, they should only receive positive reviews from women. Walking around seems easy, so on the one hand, it seems pretty convenient. On the other hand, gaskets require more frequent replacement. This brand’s products occasionally need to be changed every 40 minutes, whereas other postpartum products can be changed every two hours.

The cleverness and tact of the manufacturers, who ensured that the puerpera had two types of products – night and daytime – somewhat offset the disadvantage.

Both have a fairly thick outer layer, so diaper rash and delayed seam healing are still possibilities. The pad is fixed very erratically because there are no "wings" and the sticky outer layer is limited to the product’s center.

It’s crucial for laboring women to select the correct pads for their comfort and hygiene during the postpartum period. To manage the increased flow and guarantee skin protection, absorbency, softness, and breathability should be given top priority.

Maternity pads are provided by many hospitals, but having your own favorite brand can ease your mind. Choose pads made especially for use after giving birth; they provide superior protection and are better adapted to the requirements of a healing body.

Ultimately, what matters is what provides you with the greatest level of comfort and support during this crucial period. Feeling more prepared can be achieved by experimenting with a few options prior to giving birth.

Video on the topic

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Testing 2-in-1 panties for women in labor. TO THE MATERNITY HOSPITAL. LOVULAR, Inseense, Nappy Club. Bag to the maternity hospital.