lochia?

[redrosesofhope]

For those who have had children before, how much "supply" should I have on hand for after my birth when I have to deal with lochia? I know I can only use pads and I am planning on a mix between cloth pads when I am at home and disposable ones when I go out. Basically, is the flow REALLY heavy for a long time? Will I need to change every hour? Am I going to be too tired to go out and buy more pads if I need them?

 

[Athene]

The first day after having baby the flow is very heavy, you'll have to change your pad every hour, the flow should ease up a bit by the next day but you'll still need to change the pad fairly often . .. maybe every 2 hours, and the day after that you'll need to change it less often, the flow gradually slows over time. I don't know how many pads Ive gone through in the week and a bit since Grace was born, loads of them. It'll be best to have too many pads then too few, get at least 3 or 4 packs to start with.

Are you breast or bottle feeding, if you breast you may find you need to use heavier absorbancy pads for longer, breastfeeding stimulates contraction of the womb which in turn causes a heavier flow.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

For me, the lochia lasted around 10 days. It is heaviest for the first couple of days, and could be clotty. It also picked up with exertion.

I used extra large Always pads, rather than maternity pads, and also had Inco pads on the bed for the first few days.

 

[RoseofLima]

I usually need pads for about 3 weeks.

For that first day or two after birth- I love the net underwear and the huge peri pads they give you at the hospital--you can also order them through medical suppliers if you will not be at a hospital. Then afte those first couple days , the bleeding is much like a regular period- tapering off gradually.

After the first two days- I like the Stayfree ultra thin...extra long with wings...

 

[ChristusG]

Make sure you get plenty of the HUMONGOUS pads from the hospital before you leave. They stocked me up with plenty. I actually used those for about 5 days. They are huge, but I found they work the best. After that, I used the overnights until it tapered off even more.

 

[jgonz]

if you breast you may find you need to use heavier absorbancy pads for longer, breastfeeding stimulates contraction of the womb which in turn causes a heavier flow.

Actually, you're right AND you're wrong.

Breastfeeding Does stimulate the uterus and cause contraction of the womb which in turn causes a heavier flow For a Few Days. Then it eases up quickly. When the uterus is contracting well after birth, it's working efficiently, and when it's working more efficiently you bleed less.

If you don't breastfeed, then you have to m ake sure to knead your uterus for several days to make sure it it contracting properly because it's not getting the stimulus a breastfeeding mom gets.

In General, a breastfeeding mom will only bleed for about 2 or 3 weeks after birth, while a non-breastfeeding mom will bleed for nearly 6 weeks.

I used the thick peri-pads while in the hospital, but as soon as I got home I went straight to the thin overnight pads.