Best Postpartum Pads For Ample Coverage (2020 Guide)
I feel like when you are pregnant, you spend a majority of your time thinking about the birth.
I was so consumed with focusing on all of the delivery options and general details, I hardly put a thought into my postpartum recovery.
I actually think my postpartum recoveries were my least favorite things throughout my entire pregnancies—even taking my c-sections into account.
Simply put, you just feel yucky afterward, not to mention your hormones are raging and you are very sleep deprived.
One thing that made my recovery not so bad was having the right products in place to get me through the four-six recovery weeks.
With that in mind, here's my guide to the best postpartum pads!
Why You're Going To Need Postpartum Pads
It's pretty simple, really: you going to need to have postpartum pads because you are going to bleed—a lot.
I thought that I wouldn’t suffer from it as much since I had a C-section. Nope.
Your body expels the excess blood it was carrying when pregnant. Plus, you have to expect discharge called lochia (which is made mainly of placenta tissue) too.
If you don’t have the right pad, you are going to be going through a lot of laundry, enduring embarrassing moments, and you are less likely to venture out of the house.
Expect to bleed very heavily for the first week or two. You still need to use a postpartum pad after those initial weeks because the bleeding is still going to be slightly heavier than the bleeding you experience with your cycle.
You may even need to keep some around when you do experience your first cycle after having your baby, because it will be significantly heavier than what you’re used to experiencing (but will go back to normal again eventually).
Here are two postpartum pads that I highly recommend:
Other Ways To Help With Postpartum Bleeding
Postpartum bleeding really stinks, but it happens! In addition to having the right pads, there are a few other things you can also do to ease up on the amount of blood that you pass.
Breastfeed. The simple act of breastfeeding can alleviate bleeding. Why? When you nurse, you release a hormone called Oxytocin. This makes your uterus contract faster and overall, reduces bleeding.
Pee a lot. After a C-section, the last thing I wanted to do was position myself on a toilet for any reason, but my nurse told me the more I pee, the less soft my uterus will be, which means less bleeding!
Try to avoid blood thinners. Meds like Ibuprofen and Aspirin can make you feel better, but in return will thin your blood and prolong bleeding.
Get enough iron. Low iron will only lead to more bleeding, so eat enough meat and even consider taking an iron supplement.
Herbal therapy. Certain herbs are known to reduce bleeding. Consult with your doctor to see if you can take witch hazel, raspberry leaf, or even cotton root bark (you can find in a health food store or online) after your delivery.
Best Postpartum Pads
The Always Maxi Overnight Pads (click here to check the price on Amazon) and my go-to recommendation as the best postpartum bleeding pad.
These aren’t your average pads, as they are designed up to two times larger (and longer in the front and back), you can get up to 10 hours of protection that absorbs the heaviest flow.
They also don’t shift around when worn, so you can be sure when you position it in place, it won’t budge (Always is an awesome feminine protection brand).
These Always Maxi pads are thicker than standard pads, but that’s what you need after having a baby.
Plus, I pretty much lived in stretch pants so I never had to worry about the pad being too big or bulky and prohibiting me from wearing jeans or other pants.
They are quite comfortable and they have something called a rapid dry core, which absorbs liquid in seconds.
All in all, they are a necessary purchase!
Another pad that blows hospital pads out of the water is made by Poise (click here to check the price on Amazon).
They technically are used for incontinence, but who cares!
They work tremendously, which is what you want and need at this stage in the game.
Poise claims that it will keep you nearly three times drier than period only pads, which is quite an achievement.
These postpartum pads have an absorb-loc technology to lock away wetness and its sides are also fully protected.
The pads hug your body and are comfortable, even though they are extra-long and thick.
Many women find the incontinence pads extra helpful on the days they take their baby out for walks and get light exercise.
And, obviously, they are ideal for overnight use!
Wrapping Up
Heavy bleeding is just a part of your postpartum recovery. It stinks, but with the right pad and a few tips and tricks you can remain as leak-free and comfortable as possible throughout the next month or so!
