In my mind, there’s nothing pretty or exciting about that last month or two of pregnancy—except for the fact that it’s almost over. It can feel like those final three to four weeks drag on forever.
When I was pregnant, my body was constantly protesting my every movement, with muscles screaming and stretching, hips widening, and my bladder shrinking. It’s safe to say I felt like a mess that last month. And when I was as uncomfortable as I imagined a beached whale to be, the last thing I wanted was to be wearing a synthetic pantyliner to help with pregnancy bladder leaks. Especially in the summer, when the adhesive didn’t stick well and I was just feeling sweaty and yucky.
So when I learned about the idea of reusable, cloth products for incontinence and menstruation, affectionately called “mama cloth,” I was overjoyed!
I’m a cloth-diapering mom who prefers a natural, less toxic approach to life, so the idea of reusable pads and panty liners was appealing. When deciding to permanently remove birth control from my life, I wanted to take more steps toward treating my body as naturally as possible. I was looking at options and chose the Diva Cup. Because it was a one-time purchase, I was able to save money, reduce trash, and have complete control over what was going on inside my body. Since I’d already embraced the Diva Cup, the concept of cloth pads wasn’t a big deal to me.
I tried GladRags, which came highly recommended in an internet search, and I loved that they were available in a variety of sizes. While the intention of GladRags and other cloth alternatives are for menstruation, I found them to work equally well for pregnancy incontinence. One company does make cloth incontinence pads, but I chose GladRags for their use after pregnancy as well. Pantyliners, day pads, and night pads are available, and when taken care of according to the directions, they can be used for at least five years.
They worked quite well for me. I didn’t feel the need to check on them, and I didn’t need to change them every time I visited the toilet, which is amazing because I was in there constantly. These GladRags absorbed everything, kept me feeling fresh, and were super easy to clean.
The up-front cost is a little steep (about $12 for a cloth pad), but I think they’re worth it: they save money in the long run and reduce trash.
FYI: Each product we mention is independently chosen, and represents the views of the writer, not Motherfigure. If you buy something through our links, Motherfigure may earn an affiliate commission.
Shop This Article
GladRags Pantyliner, Assorted, 3 Count
About the Author
Rebecca A.
![]()
Rebecca is 33 and a mother of three, which is why she feels confident speaking about pregnancy and postpartum-related UI. She's a cloth-diapering and extended-breastfeeding mama, which is what attracted her to GladRags. She lives in Florida.