Feminine Protection After Pregnancy

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As a mother, it's instinctual to keep your baby happy. Choosing the right post-pregnancy protection will help keep you comfortable and dry, so you can concentrate on doing just that.

Just days after childbirth, a discharge called lochia, similar to a heavy menstrual flow, begins and usually lasts two to four weeks. Since it's been months since you've even thought about feminine protection, here are a few tips to help keep you feeling fresh and keep your attention on your little one.

During the first few days after childbirth, your lochia is at its heaviest. Take it easy. Use the heavy-duty sanitary pads that the hospital gives you. Then try using Overnight Maxi Pads, both day and night. Overnight pads are the longest, most absorbent pads and give you the greatest coverage to prevent leaks.

As lochia tapers off, switch to a Regular Maxi Pad for daytime use and stick with the Overnight Maxi Pads while you sleep. After a few weeks you can switch to Ultra Thin Pads and then to Lightdays® Pantiliners. Once your period begins again, check out all the Kotex® products to find protection that's right for you. You may be surprised to find that it's different than what you used before your pregnancy.

Finally, no matter which stage of lochia you're in, remember to change your pad frequently to promote healing and provide comfort. Also, if you usually use tampons, wait to use them again until the lochia stops and your period returns. Your doctor can give you further information at your postpartum checkup on using tampons.

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What others are saying.

Lori, 6/12/2008 8:10:51 AM
Wondering about the discharge after my pregnancy - it has been almost 6 months and still having heavy clear discharge. I had ask my doctor and he had said that could be normal for me since clear but is this something that I will have from now on? I have to wear a panty liner EVERY day!

Micaela, 8/9/2008 9:56:42 AM
Yeah, having discharge is normal. You dont HAVE to wear a pantiliner, because it wont stain or anything, and it wont leak through clothes.

new mamma , 8/14/2008 11:41:12 AM
iam a new mamma and i have been breast feeding i thing that formula is not the best thing i will be breast feeding untill my baby dosent need anymore formula but theres a problem my nipples and skabbling and bleeding is it safe to give my baby breast milk since my nipples had been bleeding

Mary, 8/23/2008 4:55:44 PM
I have a 14 month old. I am on Mirena, I rarely get periods, although I get clear discharge everyday, sometimes lots. I always wear panty liners.

Angie, 9/15/2008 9:35:04 PM
For the nursing new mamma...Lanolin is a wonderful item when you're breastfeeding. You may feed your baby if your nipples tolerate it, but definitely use the lanolin all the time as it'll help heal your wounds and prevent new ones. The baby doesn't notice it, and it's safe to use. Often times nipples get sore because the baby's not latching on correctly, so that might be worth checking on. Best of luck!

Elizabeth, 11/7/2008 9:34:59 AM
For the nursing mom...go to www.kellymom.com for fantastic resources and information (all research based) on breastfeeding. Don't be shy about calling a lactation consultant as well. You can usually find one through your ob or through laleche league.

LAURA, 11/7/2008 10:11:22 PM
I AM A MOTHER OF THREE ALL WERE BREAST FEED SO GLAD I DID HELPS YOUR BABY FIGHT OFF SICKNESS OF ALL KINDS. NOW A DAY CAN YOU TRUST STORE BOUGHT FORMULAS? THINK AGAIN AND IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE BREAST FEEDING DON'T GIVE UP GO GET HELP

erica, 11/8/2008 12:15:23 AM
I also use the Mirena and have to wear pantyliners all day. I was bleeding for months, heavy to light. Now I have discharge. I want to know how long this will last???

Jennifer, 12/2/2008 12:52:39 PM
ihade my priod while am pregant

Sarah, 3/10/2009 5:27:12 PM
My baby was born December 31 of last year. I am still bleeding everyday. I also had the depo shot for the first time. Is this normal?

shawna, 4/3/2009 6:20:15 AM
Ughh when will this end.. how come i dont have normal periods? they talk about using a regular pad, or panty liner, but pre-pregnancy i never could. id bleed 4 days straight. Heavy bleeding changing 2 sometimes 3 times an hour on an overnight or the biggest maxipad.. and i had my son.. its been 6 weeks.. and im still bleeeding.. lots.. 2-3 times an hr im changing:| when will it end!!

Christina, 4/19/2009 9:21:01 AM
I used to be on depo but it made me bleed all the time too. The say give your body time to adjust to the med, but it just made me bleed for 3 months straight. The doc took me off and now I use the patch. After I had my son, I was bleeding all the way up to my 6 week check-up. Right after that I started having a regular period. The bleeding will go away!! And to the breasteeding moms, formula is not that bad. My son refused to latch on and he was loosing weight. And on top of that for some reason my milk wasn't plentyful. Good Start formula is excellent and my son is a healthy and happy 4 month old.

kiasilver98, 5/14/2009 8:28:53 PM
I have had a child and I only bleed for about two weeks afterwards, it was light. I could get away with wearing a liner most of the time. I also had a c-section did this change the amount that I bleed? This was two years ago in June and am planning another one soon. Just trying to figure out if it was a one time thing or something that will repeat itself, any advice?

samar, 6/12/2009 8:01:22 PM
good

Lindsay, 7/29/2009 10:22:06 AM
I had my baby on 5/21/09. I bled for 4 weeks and then stopped. I have not had any bleeding since. I want to get the Essure but cannot until I have my first post pregnancy cycle. (Per my doctors office policy) Is this normal? When can I expect to have my first cycle?

abigail, 8/17/2009 2:50:40 PM
ok dont judge me but im pregnant im 15 and i really need to know when or if i go back to the same period pattern as before i was pregnant...

Patty, 8/21/2009 1:10:31 AM
I had my first baby on 5/18/09, bled for a little over 4 weeks, but haven't had anything since. When should I expect my cycle to start again? Starting to get a little worried!

Jeni, 8/26/2009 6:10:27 AM
I use the Mirena also, I had my daughter 1/23/09. I hadn't fully stopped bleeding at my 6 week checkup, but it was dying down a lot. After getting Mirena, I actually bled more, and now I bleed lightly, although it varies. When does the Mirena usually stop the bloodflow? Just curious, if anyone can answer, I'd love it!

Dawn, 9/13/2009 8:13:20 PM
Got Merena 6 weeks postpartum in Dec. 2008. Spotted for weeks and then all of a sudden stopped. Breastfed until 2 weeks ago so that could explain some of it but only have had one actual period since I had Merena put in. I think it is different for everyone. Breastfed my first baby and got pg when she was six months on my fist ovulation!

Tara, 11/12/2009 9:34:24 PM
new mamma: Breast feed no matter what. Blood in your milk wont hurt your baby.
Lyndsay/Patty: Feel blessed that you havent started your period. If your breast feeding you can count on starting it sometime between 6months and 2 yrs post partum. Thats what happens to make woman assume they cant get pregnant while breastfeeding. You CAN get pregnant while breastfeeding. Ovulation accurs before the menstral cycle so dont think you cant. Good luck to all with new babies. I have a 12 week old girl.

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