Postpartum Care: Understanding Diapers vs. Pads After Childbirth

Question
I ALREADY DON'T WEAR PADS VERY WELL AND CAN'T STAND THEM. MY HUSBAND HAS TWO OTHER CHILDREN AND HE BROKE THE NEWS TO ME, RECENTLY, THAT AFTER I GIVE BIRTH THAT I WILL HAVE TO WEAR A "DIAPER". IS THIS TRUE? CAN'T I JUST WEAR A HEAVY PAD? AND IF I HAVE TO WEAR SUCH A THING, FOR HOW LONG? THIS IS MY FIRST PREGNANCY AND IT'S GOING WELL BUT,I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.

Answer
I hate pads, too, so I understand where you're coming from.  I don't see any reason why you would need to wear a "diaper".  Some hospitals and birth centers offer special postpartum underwear to new moms, because the first days of postpartum bleeding can be extremely heavy and messy.  But you can use super-absorbent pads instead, whatever kind you already prefer.  The bleeding is like a really, really heavy period for a few days, and then slows down.  You may have some clumps and clots of tissue.  You just want to make sure that you have sufficient protection so that you don't stain your clothes or your furniture.  I personally have always done fine with super-long nighttime pads.