Although more common with period pants, maternity pads can be disposable or washable, either by machine or by hand. As well as being environmentally friendly, washable pads are very gentle on the skin, as they are made from natural fibres. How many should I take to hospital? As an expectant parent, the questions are endless when it comes to childbirth, so much so that any new mum might find that they aren't as prepared for what changes occur to their body after giving birth, as they are for pregnancy and labour, so the best maternity pads might not be at the top of your shopping list. Despite being less discreet, maternity towels are longer, softer and more absorbent than their sanitary equivalent. Their top layer won’t irritate fresh, postpartum stitches either. If you have any concerns about your bleeding then speak to your GP or midwife. Why do I need maternity pads?

There are strict laws governing VAT (Value Added Tax) exemption to registered disabled people in the UK. The Abena Maternity Pads is an anatomically shaped pad for mothers; specifically designed to cater for light to heavy degrees of postnatal incontinence. We look for extra-wide, extra-long, robust pads. Also plastic-free, biodegradable or washable options get kudos for reducing your potential carbon footprint. Are maternity pads like sanitary towels? View offer Best maternity pads: All you need to know What to consider when deciding what maternity pads to buyMaternity bleeding can contain small clots - again that’s perfectly natural, and the maternity towel will be more capable of capturing that. Just a note to avoid using tampons as an alternative to maternity pads. It’s not recommended and can increase your risk of infection straight after birth. Just like regular sanitary pads, there are many options available to buy for maternity pads too. There are many that are made in a variety of sizes, materials and with different absorbency levels.

According to LloydsPharmacy, "After giving birth it’s common for you to experience vaginal bleeding and discharge, even if you have had a caesarean. This is known as lochia, and the bleeding comes from the area where the placenta was attached. Your body is getting rid of any additional blood and tissue that nourished your baby and is no longer needed." Designed for light to heavy degrees of postnatal incontinence, Abena Maternity Pads will facilitate the postnatal phase so that you can concentrate of what really matters, your newborn child. As you'll need to change your pad every one to two hours, we recommend taking at least two boxes of pads. Most maternity pads come individually wrapped in their boxes, so you can always add these in without the box if you want to save some space. It has Abena’s Top Dry system, that allows the user to feel dry and comfortable, while letting the skin breathe. Please accept our sincere apologies if you have received a damaged or incorrect item. Please inform us immediately via the following methods:

What to consider when deciding what maternity pads to buy

Maternity pads (or maternity towels) will soak up the bleeding that comes from your uterus, mostly from where your placenta was attached. Bleeding is at its heaviest in the few hours immediately post-birth but will ease off to a more manageable amount as your body begins to heal. When testing maternity pads we considered absorbency, materials, style, comfort, method of disposal and value. The size and level of absorbency you need depend on the amount of bleeding and discharge you're experiencing. Immediately after childbirth, bleeding and discharge are heavier, and a pad with a higher level of absorbency is needed. FSC™ (Forest Stewardship Council) is an international non-governmental organizationdedicated to the promotion of responsible forest management worldwide.FSC™-certified products are made from raw materials from well-managed forests and responsible sources.The label’s traceability and integrity are upheld through stringent control measures, and by choosing FSC™-certified products, you help take care of forests and the people and wildlife that call them home. For more information, go to www.fsc.org. A good maternity pad should be made of hypoallergenic material that is kind to the delicate vaginal area. This helps prevent infection or irritation. Natural materials, such as cotton and bamboo, allow the skin to breathe. The material that regular sanitary towels are made from can cause itching, soreness and redness in your intimate areas.