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.
The verdict
Always' Discreet maternity pads are high-absorbency pads built with a wider, longer shape than everyday sanitary pads for the heavier post-birth bleeding (lochia), designed to be worn with disposable or high-waisted postpartum briefs. They're a straightforward, widely stocked option best for the heavy first two weeks, rather than a specialist product with novelty features.
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.
Is the Discreet Post Partum Pants, Medium, Pack of 18 worth it?
- Widely available in any supermarket or pharmacy
- High absorbency for the first heavy days
- Affordable to buy in bulk
What are the downsides of the Discreet Post Partum Pants, Medium, Pack of 18?
- 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.
How this review was done
We haven't used the Discreet Post Partum Pants, Medium, Pack of 18 ourselves yet. This review is built from Always's published specifications and product information, and scored the same way as everything else on the site. We'll update it, and the badge above, once we've tested it hands-on.
How it compares
|  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Around £20.88 for 18 | Around £6 for 4 | About £11 | £24.95 |
| Overall score | 7.9/10 | 8/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.1/10 |
| Pack size | 12 pads | 4 reusable pads | — | — |
| Use | — | Chill, then insert into a maternity pad | Perineal rinsing after vaginal or caesarean birth | — |
| Material | — | Gel core, soft fabric cover | BPA-free plastic | — |
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I just use regular sanitary pads after birth?+
Post-birth bleeding 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, making a proper maternity pad the right tool instead of a regular sanitary pad.
What should I wear these maternity pads with?+
They're designed to be worn with disposable or high-waisted postpartum briefs rather than normal underwear, since they're bulkier than a normal sanitary pad.
How long will I need maternity pads for?+
They're recommended for use up to 6 weeks post-birth, and you'll get through a lot of them in the first two weeks, so wide availability in any supermarket or pharmacy matters more than novelty features.
Are Always maternity pads good value?+
Yes — they're affordable to buy in bulk and widely available in any supermarket or pharmacy, which matters given how many you'll need in the first fortnight after birth.
Guides that mention this
Reviewed by
Sepehr
Software engineer, soon-to-be dad, uncle to four — the tech-obsessed half of the two of us testing this stuff. Currently building this site with my wife, ahead of our own baby arriving.