Meet Lydia Connolly. A mum of two and Registered Midwife, whose changing Australia's birth scene with her game-changing product Partum Panties.

Until now, women in labour and postpartum have been forced to settle for bulky maternity pads, or adult incontinence underwear. 

Now, with Connolly's innovative design, 'making do' is a thing of the past. Partum Panties are disposable underwear designed specifically for women in labour and postpartum. 

Lydia has always been passionate about helping women, and after becoming a mum, she decided to study midwifery.

"I felt very robbed with my first birth experience and extremely overwhelmed with breastfeeding and becoming a parent at 27 years old with very little family support," Mrs Connolly said.

"For a long time, I wanted to work in healthcare, but it wasn't until my own personal experience, that I decided to make this my purpose."

After supporting hundreds of women during labour and postpartum as a midwife, Connolly realised there was a need for specially designed underwear.

"I just had this light bulb moment that postpartum women didn't really have access to underwear post-birth that was helpful and practical, let alone feminine. Women had to resort to thick, bulky, maternity pads and giant black undies."

In 2019, she decided to create the solution. While juggling motherhood, her midwifery work and with her husband working away, Lydia set out to bring to market Australia's first postpartum underwear.

Partum Panties is made with extra soft material and a stretchy waistband, for ultimate comfort for women with perineum wounds or post C-section. Unlike other products designed to absorb urine, Partum Panties has been designed to absorb blood as well. The underwear comes in a soft pink colour to add a feminine touch. The inbuilt pad is double the size of any other disposable underwear brand on the market, holding up to a litre of fluid.

After scaling the business for the last three years, Partum Panties is stocked in stores all over Australia and New Zealand. Soon it will also be stocked in all Chempro & Chemist Outlet Chemists. "It feels incredible to be acknowledged in this way," Mrs Connolly said.

Although Lydia no longer works as a midwife, part of her business includes sharing birth and baby education, tips and tricks for expectant and postpartum mothers. "I love supporting women. As a new Mum, I found the transition really hard. To know I can help other Mums feel supported, empowered, comfortable & dignified, through education and Partum Panties, that means the world to me."

For more information, visit partumpanties.com.au