Choosing the right, breathable maternity pads is one of the most critical yet overlooked decisions for your postpartum recovery.
Why?
Research shows that over 75% of women experience some form of perineal (area between the genitals and the anus) trauma during childbirth. This could be natural tears, surgical cuts or a combination of the two. And this healing wound, combined with postpartum bleeding (lochia), creates a perfectly high-risk environment for infections down there.
In fact, as per studies, postpartum infections are seen in around 7 out of 100 women, and 83% of those infections occur after being discharged from the hospital. This means your home care routine is paramount. A key factor in this is the pad you’ll be wearing 24/7 as your frontline defence against lochia (read more about lochia here). So, let’s dive into how this single choice of breathable maternity pads can make all the difference.
Why Does My Vagina Feel So Hot and Itchy After Postpartum? Is it Something to Worry About?
Yes, a hot and itchy feeling postpartum is a warning sign that your healing skin is at risk of infections and rashes. And, your maternity pad plays a huge role in that (more on that here).
A conventional (or non-breathable) maternity pad is designed mainly for absorption, and to prevent any leaks, it’s backed with a non-porous plastic sheet. This creates an occlusive (airtight) seal that has three effects on your healing perineal skin:
It spikes the temperature
According to research, your body temperature is already slightly elevated after childbirth, reaching approximately 37.2°C (99°F). A non-breathable pad traps this heat, plus the warmth from the lochia, creating the “hot” feeling you’re experiencing.
It worsens the bacterial balance
Postpartum, your body’s natural defences are already compromised. Studies show that at this time, the “good” bacteria, lactobacillus, which keep the vagina acidic, protected and healthy, decrease dramatically, from 41% to just 4%. This means harmful or bad bacteria can easily thrive. A non-breathable pad pours fuel on this fire by creating a humid and airless environment, which is the perfect breeding ground for infection-causing bacteria and yeast that thrive in these low-oxygen conditions.
It raises the pH
Your vagina is naturally supposed to be acidic, with a pH of about 3.9 to 4.7. This acidity is what keeps the environment balanced and irritation-free. But immediately after childbirth, because Lactobacillus levels drop so sharply, there’s less lactic acid being produced and your vaginal pH rises, making it far more sensitive.
A non-breathable pad pushes this imbalance even further. By trapping heat, sweat and humidity against the skin, it can shift skin pH upward (even less acidic). This weakens your natural barrier even more and makes itching, inflammation and infections much more likely.
So, is it something to worry about?
Yes. A thousand times, yes.
Just do the math.
Higher temperature + Trapped humidity + Rising pH + Reduced protective bacteria = More postpartum infections.
Bottom line? EVERYTHING worsened by non-breathable maternity pads is something to be concerned about.
My Maternity Pad Always Feels Wet, Is That Bad, Too?
Yes, for new moms, constant wetness from non-breathable maternity panties can be a real problem. In fact, it can lead to infections.
When skin stays too moist for too long, it becomes soft, weak and breaks down. This is known as maceration. And postpartum, this can happen very easily.
- Continuous lochia (which is a VERY heavy blood flow) can last for weeks
- Healing perineal tissues produce their own fluid (wound exudate)
- Lots of sitting, resting and feeding means very little “air time” and constant contact with an airtight, wet pad.
All this trapped moisture seriously weakens the skin barrier. Think about what happens to your fingers after a swim. They turn white, swollen and pruney. That is macerated skin. When the same thing happens to the delicate perineal area, the skin loses elasticity and becomes up to 10 times more vulnerable to friction and tiny microtears. These microtears give bacteria an easy entry point and significantly increase the risk of infection.
Can a Good Maternity Pad Help Me Heal Postpartum? Can it Help Prevent Infections?
Absolutely. Choosing the right pad is one of the most active, positive choices you can make to support your body’s healing and help prevent infection.
1. It Keeps You Dry and Fresh
A pad built for postpartum flow must handle a heavy, sudden flow of clots and gushes. This is why a pad with advanced absorbent technology is essential, as it’s designed to quickly absorb and lock away this heavy flow. This instant absorption, a key feature of Nua’s Breathable Maternity Pads, is the first step to preventing the warm, damp environment that infection-causing bacteria love.
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2. It Protects Your Skin’s Natural Barrier
When skin is constantly damp, it becomes weak and waterlogged, a process called maceration that breaks down its natural protective barrier. A pad with a highly breathable design allows heat and humidity to escape. This is the foundation of a good maternity pad, like that offered by Nua. It keeps your skin’s surface drier and helps maintain a strong, intact barrier, your body’s single best defense.
3. It Reduces Friction on Healing Tissues
Healing tissues and stitches are incredibly delicate, and friction from a rough pad can create painful micro-tears (open invitations for bacteria). A true postpartum pad must have an exceptionally soft and breathable topsheet. The kind of topsheet designed specifically for sore, sensitive skin, like that on Nua’s pads, glides over the skin to prevent the irritation that could otherwise become an entry point for infection.
4. It Provides Complete, Secure Coverage
A pad that is too short or narrow can lead to leaks, which spread moisture and bacteria and compromise hygiene. This is why a pad designed with full front-to-back coverage is so important. An extra-long 400mm body with a wide back, like Nua’s, creates a secure, leak-proof seal that keeps all flow safely contained and away from healing areas.
5. It Eliminates Unnecessary Irritants.
Your skin is hypersensitive after birth and harsh chemicals like fragrances can cause inflammation, stressing the skin and making it more vulnerable to infections. It is essential to choose a pad made from 100% safe, toxic-free materials. Seeing assurances like Dermatologically Tested, Made-Safe and Non-Irritant, all of which are standards for Nua’s pads, confirms the product is clean and gentle on your healing body.
Your Postpartum Healing Toolkit
Making the switch to breathable maternity pads is one of the simplest ways to prevent the hot and damp environment that irritates healing skin. Pair this with a few basic hygiene habits and you create the safest space for your body to recover.
- Choose breathable maternity pads
They stop heat and moisture from getting trapped, preventing infections. - Change pads on time
Every four to six hours or whenever it feels damp to avoid bacterial breeding. - Wash your hands before and after
This prevents germs from reaching sensitive skin. - Handle pads correctly
Touch only the peel-off strips and wings, not the soft top sheet, to avoid bacterial spread. - Give your skin some airtime
Ten to fifteen minutes on a clean towel without a pad to help skin breathe and heal.
Your body has done something monumental. Supporting its recovery with smart, simple choices, like a pad that breathes and a routine that protects, helps you focus on what truly matters, bonding with your new baby. You’ve got this!
