A wound dressing comprising a backing layer and a skin facing layer and an absorbent pad, wherein the absorbent pad is sandwiched between the backing layer and the skin facing layer, and the two layers constitutes an envelope, the absorbent pad has an expansion of surface area, when fully expanded, of at least 10%, and wherein the surface area of said envelope is at least 10% larger than the surface area of the non-expanded absorbent pad. The envelope provides room for expansion of the absorbent pad without buckling or folding of the absorbent pad.