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T
Tadiscoming
FTM and 26 weeks. I want to start prepping for postpartum care.. it's one of the things that feels more doable for me right now and I'd love to have a hospital/birth centre bag ready sooner rather than later.
I know I want to get some organic pads but I'm wondering what I should get and how many? Am I looking at super heavy flow? Should I get some for a variety of flows? and do I need diapers as well?
If it changes anything I'm hoping for an unmedicated birth at a birth centre, but of course who knows how it will actually go down!
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Awesbloss25
With my last I had a birth center birth, unmedicated, and a faster recovery than with my first (hospital and medicated with that one). I bled less and for a shorter amount of time after giving birth with my last one and mostly used depends adult diapers for probably a couple of weeks, maybe less. After that I switched to flexi-foam pads (they are thinner and more comfortable) in a size 2, I believe, which is 'heavy flow'. Still thin and I was probably spotting by this point, so it worked for me. I didn't need the thick, long, giant pads.
I would say to get a couple of packs of adult diapers to start with, as they are more comfortable than giant pads, and top up if you end up needing to. The flexi-foam pads are good for afterwards when you have a lighter flow or spotting (or whichever pads you prefer).
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Tadiscoming
@Awesbloss25,
this is super helpful, thank you!
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mrsayoder
This varies so greatly it’s impossible to say. I’ve had 4 babies, and with my last I was so concerned something was wrong because I hardly bled at all. Like, spotted for a few days. Then light bleeding very occasionally. It lasted about 2 weeks, and never anything more than light bleeding, but mostly just more like spotting.
With my second I bled a ton, wore adult diapers for weeks and bought more pads often.
It just depends honestly. Can’t really be overly prepared for that one, unfortunately.
I like to have 2 packs of “disposable underwear” on hand, I think there’s 12 per pack of the ones I buy. And a bag of pads (like 36?). Anything else I can buy as I need it.
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T
Tadiscoming
@mrsayoder,
thanks!
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ivfwarriormom88
I used adult diapers last time but o think I’ll just get the giant pads this time like the HUGE ones that cover your whole butt �� probably a 42 pack just to be safe. The diapers were good but I had a c section so they were a little rough on the incision
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Tadiscoming
@ivfwarriormom88,
makes sense, thanks!
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jesslyan
get the really thick pads and get a bunch. Hospital will give you some. Also, the hospital gives you these white short type of underwear and I loved them! Ordered those off Amazon too. Found them comfortable. I didn’t personally like the diapers but I know some women love them. Maybe get a pack of them and then if you love them buy more
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Tadiscoming
@jesslyan,
this is great to know, thank you!
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tjos655
I just start with one pack of the ultra heavy pads. I’m an outlier and don’t like the adult diapers. It was easier for me to just change a pad. I started with one box of the Always cotton number 5 (long but thin) and then was able to go down the 2 I think last time.
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T
Tadiscoming
@tjos655,
fair enough, I wondered if diapers were necessary so this is helpful!
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KayeBee28
Never used adult diapers even though I bled a lot. The overnight pads were enough. I prefer using Cora Organics. And just taper down in size as bleeding goes down.
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Tadiscoming
@KayeBee28,
cool, good to know diapers are not necessarily a requirement
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tinynug12
Honestly just stock up you can always give them away after. I kept asking my nurses at the hospital to give me more- my tax dollars pay for it so why not? I ended up having a week worth from the hospital. It helps
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T
Tadiscoming
@tinynug12,
good points!
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Dvody
I would say half a pack of diapers, and then pads of varying flows. You’ll likely bleed for 4-8 weeks, but after 2-4 weeks it’s pretty light unless you overdo it physically!
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T
Tadiscoming
@Dvody,
okay got it! kind of wild to think about bleeding for that long. what a journey we're on!
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noelkc123
I guess it just depends on how much bleeding etc you have PP! With my last, I bought 2 packs of adult diapers and 2 packs extra long / heavy flow pads! I would use the pads in the diapers to have extra protection. They were a lifesaver! I never had any leaks. I used up both packs and feel like by the time those were gone, I was slowing down and could use regular pads!
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Tadiscoming
@noelkc123,
thank you!
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annonybaby2023
Honestly, it depends on how much you are bleeding and what you are comfortable with.
I got a package of diapers and then got the maxi pads and I had panty liners. I personally like the maxi pads better but I also felt like I wasn’t ever bleeding enough for a diaper.
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T
Tadiscoming
@annonybaby2023,
it's good to know that the amount of blood can vary from birth to birth and person to person. I guess I can just get that I need at I go!
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annonybaby2023
@Tadiscoming,
yeah I also had where I was bleeding heavy light then heavy then I got my period right away and it was the longest period ever and heaviest so I always recommend having everything because you never know
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