Clothes for leaving hospital

[Happilymarried155]

I'm just packing my hospital bag and have most things sorted but I don't know what to pack to leave hospital. I thought I should pack over the bump leggings incase I needed an emergency c section, but should I be packing a maternity dress or a baggy loose one in my old size? I haven't really put on too much wieght but don't know if I'm being abit optimistic packing non maternity! Thanks in advance!

[Pengyquin]

Hahaha.

It's your first, right?

Let's just say a. You probably won't give a shit what you're wearing and b. any that fits/doesn't hurt will be appropriate.

It's not a fashion show, you've had a baby! [missing point of why you're in hospital]

[beckslovestimmy]

I went home in maternity leggings, over the bump ones, I didn't get very big in pregnancy but still had a noticeable bump once I'd given birth (it was just a lot squishier than before!) just take a long top/tunic and know one will notice what type of leggings they are, and it'll cover up the noticeable lump of thick maternity pads. Make sure you've got some big black knickers too!!

[sksk]

I had loose Jersey trousers with the band that can go over the bump but I could roll it down if I didn't need it like that and a maternity shirt. You won't care what you wear as long as it is comfortable and nobody else will either. Basically my comfiest maternity outfit. Good luck!

[Happilymarried155]

I am aware I'm going into hospital to have a baby, yes it's my first that's why I'm asking what I should pack, thought that was what this forum was for. As its my first I'm unsure about what will be comfortable and fit properly. Thanks for your helpful advice

[Happilymarried155]

Thanks! Other comments help a lot! X

[Orangedaisy]

I had some old tracksuit bottoms (elastic gone at the waist) from my fat days in the past, an oversize t shirt and hoody. And a pair of primark 'ugg' boots, just as that happened to be what I had gone to hospital in. Another tip about leaving hospital-if you are lucky enough to have decent showering facilities at the hospital get clean and fresh before you go home-it was great getting home and just slipping on pjs without feeling like I needed a wash-we got home at 9pm and it was more or less straight to bed for all of us. Good luck x

[Happilymarried155]

That's a good point, I didn't think about that! That sounds exactly what I want to do-get home and snuggly with our little one! X

[BIWI]

Plan to wear home whatever you wore to the hospital in the first place!

You need to plan for comfort rather than style, and so maternity clothes will be the best bet.

[Icedfinger]

Loose jersey type bottoms with a long top and a vest.

Big pants too!

[ALittleFaith]

I couldn't wear what I wore to hospital because my waters leaked all over them! I lived in two pairs of joggers a size up from normal (even without a c-section scar you'll have a wobbly tummy!). In the early days these will also allow you to feel like you've got dressed and yet effectively feel like pjs :) mine were Lonsdale from Sports direct.

[SomeSunnySunday]

Probably not a dress if you are planning to breastfeed, unless it has buttons down the front (but even then, pull up tops are easier).

Dark coloured pants / bottoms are a must!

I am having an ELCS with DC3 and for going home have packed harem / yoga type trousers (tie and fold at waist, so I can make them loose / pull them up over my remaining bump if needed), a long vest and a baggy but nice jumper. And a nice necklace, and some earrings. And my Ugg boots (I would struggle to put on shoes with laces / boots with zips after a section).

Contrary to some of the other posters I do like to make a teeny bit of effort for leaving hospital - I will put some make-up on, and wear a comfy and casual but nice-ish outif. It cheers me up to not feel too slobby.

[GotToBeInItToWinIt]

I went home in the same thing I wore to go in (November baby so maternity jeans and a loose jumper). We went in at 9am and were home by 9pm so didn't faff with fresh clothes! I would just think of comfort over style, maternity jeans or leggings and a baggy top will be fine.

[Iwantvino]

I think it's a good question. I had an emergency c-section and was a mess. I wore a maternity dress and flip flops. No way could I have had anything touching my wound or bent down to put my shoes on.

[Iwantvino]

Oh and granny pants!!

[BananaPie]

My waters leaked into my trainers on the way in, so worth thinking about packing spare shoes too. Also think about breastfeeding and whether it'll be possible in certain clothes (not all that straightforward in a dress)

[FourthMary]

I packed a nice outfit to wear home, that was a bit bigger than my usual size but not maternity. I didn't put much weight on, but was quite upset (post baby hormones kicking in) that I couldn't fit in any of it, including my arms .

Don't set yourself up for a fall like I naively did, go for maternity or extra loose and big, comfort is a priority, oh and buttons if you're planning on breast feeding.

Definitely big black knickers.

[BikeRunSki]

Your internal organs get squished around and swollen ehen you are pg and it takes a few weeks for that to settle down. You should expect to be in maternity clothes for a few werks, maybe graduating to fat clothes" after 2 or 3 weeks, even if you havn't put on much weight (and you still might, it often goes on in the last month).

You are also likely to be a bit bruised, so soft stretchy clothes will be more comfortable than jeans etc, and also think breastfeeding access if that is what you plan to do.

My feet also swelled up and got too big for anything other than Crocs. Oh yes, those first few days and weeks postpartum are very glamorous.

[LavalavalavaLamp]

If you're packing now you must be due soon? I wore a nighty and maternity leggings with my coat over the top. Same as pp I got home around 9pm and went straight to bed, saved me changing. Wouldn't work if you were leaving hospital in the heat of summer but perfect for winter births.

You will still have quite a bump, it will be squishy and I found that it felt really odd where the muscles had stretched so the support of maternity leggings was welcome for a good few weeks.

[Happilymarried155]

Great tips here! Some things I hadn't thought of. Thank you all!

[Shenanagins]

I would suggest that you make sure your trousers, whether they are jeans, leggings etc are black as you will bleed a lot and you don't want to have an embarrassing accident.

[Wednesbury]

I am going in to have DC3 next week by ELCS and despite having done this twice before have been having similar deliberations. Both other times I hadn't thought it through but it was important to me to be 'dressed' with a little bit of make up on (had been in hospital 5 days so it might feel different if you're out quickly). Still, comfort is definitely key. I am doing similar to others, maternity leggings, baggy jumper, scarf and my boots that i can just step into. I'd probably opt for your maternity dress to be on the safe side.

Good luck!

[Mouthfulofquiz]

I would say: roll over yoga type trousers as they are gentle on your tummy. A nice stretchy comfortable bra. Long vest you can pull down to feed, a loose top you can pull up. A cardi and maybe some shoes that you don't need to bend down to do up (in case that is uncomfortable). I wore my Birkenstocks for this reason! I would recommend dark colours as you may be leaking from up to four different areas! Hahaha. Good luck - it's a wonderful time

[Wednesbury]

Ps I also think it's a good question.

[browneyedgirly]

Great question! I'm pregnant with my first and hadn't thought about this at all yet! Not due till March but I will also benefit from all these ladies' advice. Big black pants, dark clothes, comfy and stretchy with good boob access and slip on shoes seem to be the consensus. Thank you!

[NowWhatIsit]

Another vote for big black pants, I had C sections and found I definitely wanted them to cover the scar not sit right on it which is what bikini style ones would do. I just wore what I was wearing on admission. I am so excited for you!! I liked having a little notebook too (sorry, definitely digressing there!)