Feminine Hygiene

First, wash your hands and try to relax - inserting the tampon will be easier and more comfortable if you’re relaxed.

Open the folds of skin on your vagina and slide the barrel inside, angling slightly towards your back.

Then, hold the grip and push on the smaller tube to insert the absorbent part of the tampon deeper inside the vaginal canal.

Remove the barrel of the tampon and leave the string hanging out - don’t pull on this string until you’re ready to remove it.

Once you’ve inserted the tampon, it should be changed every 4 to 8 hours.

8 hours is the maximum period of time to leave a tampon in your body - if it exceeds this, it can make you very unwell.

If you don’t feel the need to change your tampon after 8 hours, the absorbency is probably too high.

They both offer you the same protection, but it all comes down to personal preference and lifestyle.

Pads are easier to apply, you’ll have a better idea of when it needs changing, and you’re at very low risk of developing toxic shock syndrome.

However, you can’t go swimming in pads and they’re less discreet than tampons, which could be an issue if you’re wearing tight-fitting clothing.

Maternity pads are an essential product to include in your hospital or baby changing bag as you’ll probably be bleeding heavily post-birth.

You’ll probably be bleeding for about 6 weeks after you’ve given birth to your little one, no matter if you’ve had a natural birth or a C-section.

It’s perfectly normal to bleed after you’ve given birth, and most of it comes from where the placenta was attached.