Personally and its all a matter of prefferance(sp) I would go for Always ultra night, they are thinner than the maternity pads but just as effective, I have used them after my last 3 births with no 'accidents' etc, I find the mat towels too bulky and no more absorbant and sorry if TMI but you can see them under your clothes. Not so with the Allways. If you do decide to go with ultra absorbant sanitary pads just make sure they are good quality, I would recommend Always