Tampon recommendations (needed tonight)

After 2 years (before DD) AF is back. But it only occurred to me tonight that I have DD's swimming lesson 9am tomorrow. I don't want to miss it so I'll have to rush to the shops for tampons in the morning. I've never used tampons before. I tried them once years ago but didn't feel comfortable (probably didn't use them correctly).

So I'm wondering what brands you'd recommend. And, more importantly, size. It's only light flow at the moment. I know there are slimmer designs good for teenages. But do they make them with the woman who has birth vaginally in mind?

I can't help but feel silly for asking at the age of 28 :redface:

There is no difference before or after birth with tampons. If you have a light flow, you can get light tampons and they are slim anyway. Make sure you are relaxed when you do it, if you're stressed or tense you wont be able to insert them well. Good luck!

I used the 'u' ones to take ds swimming the other week and Libra and carefree are good aswell.
If you haven't used tampons before Tampax are good coz they inside a tube that you push to insert it up there so there is no way you can really go wrong with them. You shouldn't be able to notice it so if it doesn't feel right just try it again
Good luck and enjoy your swimming lesson

It could have been uncomfortable due to it's position, one of the reasons why I use Tampax (the one with the applicator)

Im a libra girl :P

And if you don't like tampax, you can get "Cottons" brand with applicator too. You can also get a split pack of light/medium for different requirements during your flow.

I think they're all much the same. Get a slim one and if you use some ky it will go up there more easily.

I've been wearing pads since I had Moo but I used to use De Jour tampons before. But I agree with the applicator idea, might be easier for the moment.

Lube might be an irritant though Onyx... especially trapped in your vagina with no breathing going on, could even get thrush easier. Its not got many good things in it that one too...

Thanks so much ladies. Now I won't be overthinking it while I'm in a hurry in the morning.

applicators are awesome! (Tampax brand)

Some tampons are light flow but normal size, then light flow but more slim... Libra will specify which ones are slim and which are normal.
I found the U by Kotex to be harder to insert (NO idea why?!) and they pulled apart a bit...

So Libra would be my recommendation... I have always gone back to them and like them..

Kelly, I had no idea that it would be the same after birth... I had this image of me inserting a tampon and it falling straight back out! HAHA...

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Kelly, I had no idea that it would be the same after birth... I had this image of me inserting a tampon and it falling straight back out! HAHA...

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:rofl: Thanks, glad I'm not the only one.

Something I don't think gets taught often enough is that your v doesn't run exactly vertical.

When inserting a tampon you don't push straight up.

Squat a little or put a foot on the edge of the bath and direct your tampon slightly towards your back.

Next time you don't have af best thing to do is have a feel!!!

Gl :) can be daunting!

Clearly some people need to read this:

Sex After Childbirth - Will It Ever Feel The Same Again?

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One could easily come to the conclusion that after the big stretch of childbirth, that surely, things aren’t going to be the same anymore – heck that was such a big thing coming out of such a small place! But fortunately for women, vaginas are not like a favourite pair of undies that have been worn for years on end.

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;)

I read that kelly... But a penis is much bigger (i hope!!! Haha) than a tampon, and you dont have to hold a penis up in there while you walk around in public! Hahaha!!

No I do know it goes back to normal in my head, I just didn't quite believe it. Lol

From the Article Kelly linked to

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One could easily come to the conclusion that after the big stretch of childbirth, that surely, things aren’t going to be the same anymore – heck that was such a big thing coming out of such a small place! But fortunately for women, vaginas are not like a favourite pair of undies that have been worn for years on end.

There seems to be a common misconception that women having a caesarean section will come out on top (pardon the pun!) with regards to sex after childbirth, but as Allison Hilbig (a Physiotherapist, specialising in Women’s Health with a Graduate Diploma in Child Birth Education) explains, it’s usually the other way around.

“Firstly, it’s important for women to understand that the vagina is designed like a piano accordion – its actually designed to stretch open. Memories of trying to insert a tampon for the first time or the first sexual encounter may suggest to women that giving birth to a baby will be even worse. But the body is very capable and in fact designed to do this. Another help is that the baby is slippery, covered in vernix or at least wet with amniotic fluid. This lubrication will help the baby move through the birth canal.”

Not only is the vagina designed for the big stretch of childbirth only to bounce back again, but it has other hidden treasures, which many women have discovered.

“The result of vaginal birth is an increase in blood supply to the area. This can result in women becoming more orgasmic after vaginal birth. This effect may be reduced if the pelvic floor is weak, however a women’s health physiotherapist can teach women how to correctly exercise these muscles to improve strength.

The hormones of labour after a natural birth can leave women feeling incredibly empowered and more confident in their own abilities and their sexuality. Combined with the capability to be more orgasmic, many women find their sex life is better after a vaginal birth.”

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My body has changed with childbirth. Fitting tampons is different. DTD is different. I am pretty sure i am not the only one.

The article says that things aren't going to change, and then it describes the changes that can occur. They may be changes for the good, but if they are not don't feel like a freak, cos it's not really something that you often get to chat about, and there are other women out there also working out how their new body works.

Just gonna agree with HotI here, mine is definitely not what it used to be. These days if I sneeze unexpectedly there is a fair chance my tampon will fall out - back in the pre kids days I am sure they stayed where I put them!

I use Libra slim even on my heavy days. They are also one of the cheaper brands which is even better.. under $6 for 24 vs $4-5 for 16..

Yea I agree with HotI too, I used to use tampons all the time. Now I cant because they hurt.
Good luck Tuesdays Child, I prefered U or libra. :)

That would be a pelvic floor problem not a broken vagina. Def see an osteopath for help. It doesnt have to be like that!

I didn't say i had a broken vagina, i said things have changed. Are we not allowed to acknowledge that birth changes (some of) us physically? There are many types of normal.

I'll go ahead and say mine is broken lol - surely it isn't a pelvic floor problem that the entrance way now gapes open, all the outer bits sag and I can't feel anything internally (TMI but I can't even tell if DH is in or not when DTD)

I meant that comment for artechim. Either way, best thing is to get it checked out then you have a proper diagnosis and fix, then you know what the deal is. If it can be easily fixed then there's all this unnecessary suffering and embarassment / other you might be going through. If you read womens comments in that article though, some found it got better with subsequent births and I know I have never had any pelvic floor issues or complaints, lol. I never used to do pelvic floor exercises much, took it for granted I guess, but I try to now just in case, and there are sooo many benefits including sexlife and orgasm.

Ps. Did you have forceps or vacuum? This can increase pelvic floor damage.

Thanks Kelly. Just normal vaginal births. I don't think it will be getting magically better after the next birth for me :(
The closest osteopath is about 1.5 hours away, not very practical for me to do that. And to be honest, I would rather just live with it than have to talk to a real life person! It is one thing to type on a forum but to actually sit and face someone and talk about my broken girl bits....won't happen!

Sorry for hijacking the thread.