Underpads for Maternity and After Delivery

Who is protecting your mattress while you pack baby clothes, shawls and snacks into that hospital bag?

The hospital bag lists we read for Kenyan mothers mention maternity pads but not underpads. Yet a simple 60 x 90 cm pad on the bed can save you a lot of washing in the first days at home.

This guide explains how underpads help during maternity and after delivery, how to use them and how many to get.

Maternity pads and underpads are not the same thing

Keep using maternity pads as your nurse advises. The underpad is the backup that keeps the bed clean if a pad leaks at night.

When an underpad helps

In hospital

Ask your hospital what they provide and what to carry. If underpads are not on their list, a packet of 10 is still light enough to slip into your bag.

The first nights at home

Lay a pad on your side of the bed. If a maternity pad leaks while you sleep, you change the underpad, not the whole bed.

On the sofa while feeding

Feeds take time. A pad on the seat protects the cushions while you sit.

After a caesarean section

A pad protects the bed while you recover. Follow the hospital’s advice on wound care.

Baby nappy changes

A pad gives you a clean surface on the bed or a mat. More on that below.

How to use an underpad on your bed after delivery

1. Wash your hands.
2. Lay the pad on top of the bed sheet where your hips will rest, soft top facing up.
3. Smooth it flat and use the adhesive tape to help hold it in place.
4. Keep two or three spare pads and a bin bag by the bed.
5. Change the pad as soon as it is wet or soiled.
6. Fold the used pad inwards and put it in the bin. Do not flush it.

Ask your partner or a relative to help with the change if moving is sore. Rest matters more than a perfect bed.

How many underpads should you get?

There is no fixed number. Here is a simple starting point:

• One packet of 10 in your hospital bag.
• One more packet at home for the first days.
• A bale of 100 if you will use pads for nappy changes too, or want to share with a sister or friend who is also expecting.

A packet costs KSh 800 and a bale costs KSh 8,000. Both work out to KSh 80 a pad. Count what you use in the first few days, then plan ahead with our underpads planner.

What Sternmed underpads offer

• Disposable, single use pads, 60 x 90 cm
• A soft, breathable top
• 3D diamond embossing
• Adhesive tape that helps hold the pad in place
• 900ml+ ultra absorption and antibacterial protection, as stated on the packet

Using underpads for nappy changes

Lay a pad on the bed, the sofa or a changing mat. Place the baby on the soft top. If there is a leak or an accident, you throw away the pad and the bed stays clean.

It is a small thing. At 3 am, with a crying baby and one eye open, small things matter.

A first week checklist for home

• Underpads for the bed and the sofa
• Maternity pads
• Comfortable underwear
• Baby wipes and a bin bag by the bed
• A spare bed sheet
• A bottle of water within reach

How partners and family can help

• Change the underpad so the mother can rest.
• Restock the bedside with pads, wipes and water.
• Take the bin bag out every morning.
• Order the next packet before the last one runs out.

Look after yourself too

• Rest when the baby sleeps, if you can.
• Keep the area clean and dry. Change maternity pads as your nurse advised.
• Drink water and eat well.
• Call your doctor or clinic at once if bleeding gets heavy, you have a fever or anything worries you.

A few things to avoid

• Do not use an underpad in place of a maternity pad.
• Do not put an underpad on a wound. It is not a dressing.
• Do not flush used pads. They block toilets and drains.
• Do not reuse a pad, even if it looks dry.

A practical gift for a new mother

Going to a baby shower or visiting a new mother? A packet of underpads is a gift she will use from day one. Pair it with maternity pads, baby wipes and a warm meal and you will be her favourite visitor.

Order before your due date

Sternmed underpads are in stock in Nairobi. Order online, on WhatsApp or by phone. We confirm the order and the delivery cost, then you pay by M Pesa. We deliver across Kenya, so you can have them at home before the big day. Ordering in the last month of pregnancy means everything is ready when you come home.

For clinics and maternity units

Running a maternity unit or a busy clinic? Buy by the bale of 100 and ask for a quote. Our guide to buying underpads wholesale in Kenya shows how to plan monthly stock.

Caring for an older relative as well? See underpads for elderly care at home.

Order Sternmed underpads today

Buy a packet of 10 for KSh 800 or a bale of 100 pads for KSh 8,000. We deliver to all 47 counties and confirm the delivery cost before dispatch. Pay by M Pesa after we confirm your order.

Prefer to talk? WhatsApp us or call 0702 962504. A real person replies.

Congratulations on your growing family. We hope the first weeks bring more sleep than you expect.

Questions people ask

Do I need underpads after delivery?

They are not a must. They help protect your mattress and sheets in the first days at home, when a leak at night is easy to miss.

Can I use underpads instead of maternity pads?

No. Maternity pads are worn in your underwear. Underpads lie on the bed or seat. Use them together.

How many underpads should I pack in my hospital bag?

Ask your hospital what they provide. A packet of 10 is light and easy to carry. Keep a second packet at home.

Can I use underpads after a caesarean section?

Yes, to protect the bed while you recover. Follow your hospital's advice on wound care. Do not use an underpad as a wound dressing.

Can I use underpads for my baby?

Yes. Lay one under the baby during nappy changes to keep the bed or mat clean.

Should the underpad go on the mattress or on the sheet?

On top of the sheet, soft side up, where your hips rest.

Where can I buy maternity underpads in Nairobi?

Medical Equipment KE has Sternmed 60 x 90 cm underpads in stock in Nairobi at KSh 800 a packet of 10. We deliver across Kenya.