Always
Discreet Post Partum Pants, Medium, Pack of 18
7.9/10 overallAround £20.88 for 18
High-absorbency maternity pads designed for the heavier bleeding that follows birth.
Post-birth bleeding (lochia) is heavier and lasts longer than a period, and the NHS specifically advises against tampons or menstrual cups for the first 6 weeks due to infection risk — which makes a proper maternity pad, not a regular sanitary pad, the right tool here. Always' maternity pads are built with a wider, longer shape and higher absorbency core than everyday pads, designed to be worn with disposable or high-waisted postpartum briefs rather than normal underwear.
They're a straightforward, widely stocked option rather than a specialist product, which is exactly the point — you'll get through a lot of these in the first two weeks, so availability in any supermarket or pharmacy matters more than novelty features.
What we liked
- Widely available in any supermarket or pharmacy
- High absorbency for the first heavy days
- Affordable to buy in bulk
Where it falls short
- Bulkier than a normal sanitary pad
- Best paired with high-waisted disposable briefs, an extra cost
- Not reusable
Specs
- Length
- Extra-long, wraps further round
- Pack size
- 12 pads
- Absorbency
- High, designed for post-birth bleeding
- Recommended use
- Up to 6 weeks post-birth
How we scored it
Healing Comfort
How much relief it provides for perineal soreness or post-birth discomfort.
Comfortable and absorbent, though bulkier than everyday pads.
Ease of Use
How simple it is to use one-handed while exhausted and sore.
No setup needed, straightforward to use.
Value for Money
Cost per pad/use relative to how much relief it gives.
Cheap and available everywhere, easy to stock up.
Weighted by importance for this category — see our editorial policy for how we test.
The alternative
Frida Mom
Instant Ice Maxi Pads
Disposable, ready-to-use ice maxi pads that activate instantly without a freezer.