Generality
Postpartum sanitary napkins are a product for personal hygiene useful to contain the losses that can occur in the weeks following the birth of a child .
The diapers (or pads) to be used in the puerperium are for external use and are made of pure cotton and / or natural fibers, to ensure maximum comfort.
Puerperio: What is it? How long does it last?
The PUERPERIO is the period following the completion of the birth, during which the uterus returns to its original size and the genital apparatus regains the pre-pregnancy form.
The duration of this phase is approximately 40-45 days (ie it lasts for 6-8 weeks after the birth of the child).
The clinical manifestations of the puerperium generally reflect the regression of physiological changes that occurred during pregnancy. At the end of the puerperium, especially if the woman is not breastfeeding, the capoparto is verified, that is the reappearance of menstruation.
What are
Postpartum absorbents: what are they?
Postpartum sanitary napkins are personal hygiene products indicated for the containment of normal losses - commonly called LOCHIAZIONI - which occur in the days following the birth of a child.
These pads are made of hypoallergenic and natural materials (usually post-natal absorbents are made of pure cotton) that hold the lochiazioni, while ensuring a dry feeling . Post birth pads have an anatomical shape and must be compatible with the physiological pH of the skin, respecting the intimate female ecosystem .
These features together minimize the risk of:
- Irritations of the genitals (irritative vulvitis, contact dermatitis, etc.);
- Allergies (note: the chemical additives or the chlorine with which the cotton of the traditional absorbents is bleached can be responsible for a hypersensitivity reaction);
- Infections ;
- Adhesion to episiotomy wounds .
How to Choose Postpartum Absorbents
The choice of post birth pads needs special attention : a product not suitable for retaining the lochiazioni may be a cause of discomfort or discomfort, as well as further irritating the private parts. It should be remembered, in fact, that some new mothers have wounds due to episiotomy or spontaneous lacerations and the management of these conditions requires the appropriate precautions to guarantee the best healing of the tissues and not incur in infectious complications.
Furthermore, the lochiazioni have a different consistency compared to menstruation and can be more abundant : if the product with the most adequate absorbency level for your case is not chosen, you risk dirtying the laundry or feeling uncomfortable .
Therefore, post birth pads should:
- Allow a perfect absorption of the lochiazioni;
- Allow the private parts to breathe;
- Always keep a clean feeling;
- Do not hinder or irritate sutures and healing lesions.
Characteristics of the Postpartum absorbent
MATERIALS . The composition of post birth pads is a very important aspect, so it must be taken into consideration when choosing the product. Unlike traditional absorbents which are generally made of synthetic fibers, puerperium diapers are made of pure cotton or bamboo, materials that ensure maximum breathability, that is they allow the skin to "breathe". To prevent the return of liquids to the surface and guarantee freshness, these basic natural fibers are possibly associated with internal filtering agents, such as small percentages of cellulose and absorbent polymers. In any case, all the materials used for the construction of post birth pads should be hypoallergenic (or hypoallergenic) and free of chemical additives.
DISPOSABLE OR WASHABLE . Post-natal sanitary napkins are disposable external pads (disposable) or machine washable, therefore reusable several times. This last variant must be of good quality, so that it is hypoallergenic.
FORM . Post birth pads are available in different shapes to adapt to all needs. Usually, the diapers have an internal part - in direct contact with the skin - in natural fiber (eg cotton). The outer side facing the underwear is instead covered with a plastic film, in which there are adhesive strips. Some variants of post birth pads have no glue or, as in the case of reusable ones, have both sides in cotton.
Types
PACKAGING - Postpartum sanitary napkins can be packaged in a cardboard box or are individually contained in a paper or plastic case . This last variant guarantees the safety of the product, even when it is stored in the bag or in the beauty case.
MEASUREMENTS - Postpartum sanitary napkins are available in different "sizes" : the most suitable dimensions for your case can be chosen according to the abundance of the losses. Normally, this information is reported on the packaging of post-natal sanitary napkins, in association with symbolic icons (for example: a single drop indicates that the product is suitable for light lochiazioni, while 3 or more drops makes it suitable in the period in which the losses are medium-abundant ). The packaging can also show the image of a sun ( daytime use ) or a moon (application during night rest ).
What are they for
After the birth of a child, each new mother must take care to maintain a good intimate hygiene, avoiding further irritation of wounds due to episiotomy or spontaneous lacerations.
As anticipated, the puerperium can last up to 40-45 days. During this period, the post-natal sanitary napkins allow a perfect absorption of the lochiazioni, let the private parts breathe and always maintain a fresh and clean feeling.
Postpartum Absorbents for Lochiazioni
The post-delivery sanitary napkins have the function of containing the lochiazioni . At the same time, these pads must guarantee the utmost respect for the vaginal ecosystem, to allow for optimal recovery and avoid unpleasant disturbances, such as infections or irritations.
The lochiazioni are loss of blood, serum, mucus and residues of the decidua (the tissue that has covered the inner surface of the uterus during the nine months of gestation) that occur in the first periods after the birth of the child. These manifestations indicate the process of "repair" of the uterus and must not be confused with the warder (that is, the first menstruation that appears after the completion of the birth).
The lochiazioni do not give rise, in fact, to a "stable" menstrual cycle, as they occur only once for a short period of time and limited by the birth of the child.
In the first week after the birth, the lochiazione has the appearance similar to that of a menstruation (the losses are abundant and bright red); it is above all in this phase that post-natal sanitary napkins are essential in the hygiene routine. Little by little, the blood clots are reduced and the losses take on a pink color, to then become - after about 10-15 days - serous, whitish and less abundant.
Every woman can experience a different situation, but, normally, the phenomenon is exhausted over a few weeks.
How to distinguish the Capoparto from Lochiazioni
What's this? The chief officer is the return of menstruation after the birth of a child. This event frequently coincides with the end of the puerperium, but may occur with timing that varies from woman to woman.
When? Often, the menstrual cycle resumes as soon as the baby is weaned: by reducing the number of feedings, the synthesis of prolactin decreases, which, in addition to being the hormone responsible for the continuous production of milk, inhibits ovulation (in practice, the reappearance of menstruation is delayed for constitutional reasons or due to hormonal alterations still in progress). In new mothers who do not breastfeed, however, the capoparto usually occurs in the five or six weeks following the birth of the baby.
How does it manifest itself? Generally, the ward is more abundant and prolonged than a common menstruation.
What does it indicate? The appearance of the flow indicates the restoration of the menstrual cycle; the resumption of ovulatory activity may require, instead, a longer time, therefore the first cycles after the birth can be anovulatory. The capoparto indicates, therefore, that the reproductive system has returned to normal; however, the "restart" of fertility can occur before the onset of menstruation. Therefore, if you do not want to start a new pregnancy, it is recommended to use exclusively protected relationships, starting from the resumption of sexual activity, regardless of the appearance of the menstrual flow.
Postpartum absorbents: where are they?
Post birth pads are readily available on the market. These hygiene products can be found in pharmacies, drugstores, supermarkets and specialty stores.
How to use them
Postpartum sanitary napkins should be applied to underwear (briefs, culottes, etc.) with the cotton side facing the private parts.
From the hygienic point of view, it is important to pay the utmost attention. Post birth pads must be changed very often, avoiding that the area remains moist and in contact with germs for too long, especially if an episiotomy has been performed. This wound must heal, in fact, in the most suitable conditions. The same precautions also apply if there are stitches present.
Postpartum absorbents: how often do you replace them?
To ensure proper hygiene, post birth pads should be replaced every 4-8 hours. If necessary, it is advisable to change the diaper more frequently.
What to do if the Lochia appear "Different"?
If the losses collected by the post-natal absorbent appear to be different from usual or do not tend to be minimized in the times and in the manner envisaged, it is advisable to consult a doctor to rule out any complications.
The signals to pay attention to are above all:
- Increased body temperature;
- Strong abdominal pains;
- Continuous bleeding for over seven days;
- Vaginal blood loss accompanied by a strong and sudden pain;
- Bleeding so abundant as to require the replacement of the absorbent post-partum every hour;
- The appearance of bad smells.
What to avoid
Sanitary Pads Postpartum with Ali: Yes or No?
The choice depends on personal preferences. The wings of post birth pads offer, in fact, greater freedom of movement.
In general, however, it would be better to avoid the use of these diapers in the first days after the birth of the baby, especially in the case of stitches (against which they could rub) or major injuries . After birth calves with wings could, in fact, hinder healing, as well as cause inguinal irritation .
Nappies with wings can replace anatomical variants after a few days, when wounds no longer cause discomfort and a more normal routine is resumed.
External or internal absorbents?
After the birth of the child, to contain the losses, it is important to use exclusively EXTERNAL post-natal absorbents.
The internal absorbents ( tampons ) and the menstrual cups are, instead, not recommended, as they can favor the introduction and the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms in the vaginal canal. In the postpartum period, then, the application of internal absorbents could cause discomfort or even be painful.
Some advice
- Always wash your hands before and after the application of the post-natal absorbent;
- For greater comfort, use the post-natal absorbent with the lowest degree of absorbency among those aimed at satisfying one's needs;
- In the puerperium, the absorbents normally used for menstrual flows are not recommended, since they are often made with synthetic fibers and not suitable for containing losses of different consistency and more abundant than menstruation;
- Intimate hygiene is very important in the puerperium: cleansing should be performed only with special products, which respect the normal balance of the vaginal flora and skin.
- Sexual intercourse is not recommended for the duration of the lochiature, as it could facilitate the onset of infectious processes, such as candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis.
