After the what shoes did you wear to the hospital thread I'm curious about the bloody mess situation after labor. Obviously I've always known that you lose a lot of blood and you continue bleeding after you give birth but how bad was it for you? Worse than what you expected? And how did you deal with it…extra pads, home remedies, etc?
I'm still pretty far from having to really worry about it but I'm very curious as to whether we're looking at chainsaw massacre status or something less...intense 
GOLD / wonderful coffee bean / 18478 posts
I just used heavy duty pads. It was not a mess. I will have to check out the shoes thread now....
blogger / watermelon / 14218 posts
hehe. I heard about this beforehand and was terrified of it so before I ever got up from the bed I put on THREE of the hospital maxi pads. They are these HUGE peach pads about double the size of a super maxi pad. I basically lined the entire bottom of a pair of disposable underwear (also provided by my hospital) and I wore their slipper socks just in case I did get blood running down my legs. I changed the three pads like every 30 mins. I basically had nothing on my body that wasn't totally disposable (and supplied by the hospital) for the first 24 hours after delivery.
The next day my bleeding was a little more under control so after my first shower I changed to regular underwear and slippers and one peach pad.
hostess / eggplant / 11068 posts
I was a bloody mess but not so much that I had to throw away my flipflops. I'm not sure exactly what comes out of you other than blood but my pads were contantly soaked. I was changing pads hourly...Even every 20 minutes or so.
grapefruit / 4120 posts
Once you leave the hospital it should be manageable. For me the day of was the worst. But, I was in the hospital, so I felt equipped for that!
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
the first couple of days it's really heavy and i definitely needed the waterproof pads they put on the bed for you to sit on because i had lots of leaks. the hospital pads kinda suck, so you could bring your own depends which would be much better!
even though you bleed for weeks (it was 6 weeks with charlie and a little bit less than that with olive), it's like a regular period once you leave the hospital and I was able to use ultrathin pads (the long ones though).
GOLD / wonderful grape / 20289 posts
I wore the mesh undies they give you with the super duper thick pads. I did bleed through a couple of times, but that's why you just wear their stuff!
pomegranate / 3980 posts
I remember the first time I stood up after giving birth, the blood just kinda poured out for a second, I wore an adult diaper for the first few hours and then just heavy pads after that for a few days. But honestly after that one down pour it wasn't that bad
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
@Running Elley: I am worried about this too. No one I know has every mentioned it being that bad!
grapefruit / 4049 posts
the first few hours can be described as "bloody mess"... But definitely by the end of the first and second days, it's like a heavy period... Maybe a little more for some women... But it gets a lot better over time...
coconut / 8681 posts
@jessiejo17: Me either!! One of my best friends was even wearing a white dress the day after her son was born..now I'm wondering how on earth that was even possible. After seeing the replies here though it seems like after the first day it won't be too too bad. Eek to that first day though…I'm thankful that I won't be cleaning it all up!
grapefruit / 4049 posts
@artbee: exactly! Just wear the hospital stuff... I totally agree... Why get your nice pj's, robes and slippers the chance to be stained? this is partly why you're given a hospital gown and socks!
GOLD / papaya / 10166 posts
I had a really bloody mess for the 1st day, and it was a *little* lighter after a few days. Everytime I would laugh, I would fill the pad up, so I was changing them every 30 min or so. They give you really thick pads and mesh underware to help keep it contained - take advantage of it!
bananas / 9227 posts
@Rubies: "I was a bloody mess but not so much that I had to throw away my flipflops." Oh man, I read that out loud and scared the crap out of my husband! ;D
After reading this I bought disposable undies ASAP. I don't know if the hospitals here provide them and I don't wanna chance it!
persimmon / 1135 posts
I was never a bloody mess really. I used overnight Always pads and never had any accidents. I changed whenever I went to the bathroom the first couple of days and then less frequently thereafter. I'd read about it before hand and was prepared for it to be way worse.
pomelo / 5321 posts
I bled for a long time after birth but I only had one incident that was really bad and it was really the nurse's fault. I had a catheter so obviously I didn't have any urges to pee. The nurse that was on call was supposed to be getting me up every so often for changes and walking but she forgot. I stood up and there was a huge mess. Really, if you make sure to change your pads regularly, it's not so bad.
My hospital showed me how to fold a small chuck and then line it with 2 hospital maxi pads. I wore the mesh panties. It was perfect for any possible leaks and I didn't mess up any of my own stuff. I also got to take a bunch of stuff home too.
Every baby/mommy blog I read recommended these:
http://www.always.com/products/detail/maxi-flexi-wings-extra-heavy-over-night
They are gigantic! They were longer than my forearm but did the job one I ran out of the hospital supplies.
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts
I was a bloody mess for about 12 hours after I gave birth! HAHA. Things got better after I showered, put on my own underwear, and wore the huge pads provided by the hospital!
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