Nighties only after c-section not pyjamas? (Sensitive topic related)

[YourHandInMyHand]

I'm having a planned C-section this time around, not had one before and a few people have mentioned I'll need nighties not pjs because of catheter, comfort on wound, etc. Is this right?

I know it sounds daft but this has left me hugely anxious. Due to childhood experiences I never wear nighties, I'd feel very very vulnerable in just a nightie, even in my own home I'd feel on alert. I always wear pyjamas, and they are always the legging style trouser bottoms.

I was already feeling anxious and vulnerable as our hospital has recently changed policy allowing dads to stay overnight in the shared rooms. Again, due to childhood experiences the idea of this really freaks me out. Even more so now I may be in a nightie not pjs, bleeding, fresh scar, boobs out lots trying to breastfeed etc. I know I'll be too on edge to sleep.

I've since found out the hospital do try to group mums with dads staying, and mums without together but can't guarantee it so I will ask for that and hope for the best, but now I'm just very anxious about the nightie thing.

I realise these worries aren't logical. Which is why I've not voiced them to anyone in real life. But to me they are very anxiety inducing situations based on childhood abuse. So if anyone has anything to say that's kind or reassuring I'd really be grateful. I do intend to chat to my midwife about all this at my next appointment but its not for quite a while yet and so I don't want to be worrying massively between now and then.

I wore a nightie after my c section a few weeks ago because of the catherter, however I think if you found something that was stretchy and wide at the top (and not resting on your scar) and wide legs so the catheter could hang down, I think it could work. Is there an option for you own room?

Also, your worries are understandable given your history and it’s good that you are seeking a way to make you feel less anxious. Def speak to your midwife about this.

From my own experience I’d say nighties are much easier immediately post-section, but I completely understand your reasons for not feeling comfortable in them. I agree with Jilly - you have a good case to make for having a private room if you feel you can talk to your midwife/the hospital about your concerns.

You dont want anything rubbing on your scar. I wore nities - you could probably wear high wasted but wouldn't they be tighter?

I didn't have a section but I did have a catheter, and just put it down the leg of my jammies

In terms of your scar I'm not sure, but I just bought massive jammie bottoms with a lovely soft satin waistband and pulled them up high (like you do with maternity trousers over your bump).

Again I wore a nightie and wouldn't have wanted a waist band over the wound but if you found something high waisted so it sat far above the scar and nice and loose it should be ok from that point of view. For the catheter I'm not sure but perhaps loose shorts might work? Definitely speak to your midwife about it though.

I got some cheap maternity pyjamas in the next size up from Asda and wore them after my section (I also had a few nighties from there that were quite long). You should only have the catheter in for one night if that helps x

You will be in a gown provided at the hospital for the actual section. Then 8 hours after my catheter was taken out and I started to walk around so I put pjs on - vest top and loose dark grey jersey bottoms and I was fine. I also bought a darky purple jersey dressing how I had off eBay and wore that

I wore a long nightie on the day of births but was in pjs as soon as the catheter was removed. That was within 12 hours on my third as DC3 was a scheduled section so out early in the morning. I can't remember the timeline of the first two.
Big soft pjs should be fine. Size up in soft jersey?
Good luck OP.

Ps I have had two sections and I worse pjs after both. As long as you can wear them higher (like where belly button is) it's fine as the scar is low. Buy some big high pants too that reach your belly button to avoid rubbing.

When you are in the gown you have blanket over you but perhaps bring an extra one to make you feel more secure then as soon as you can move etc you can get changed.

I hope this helps and I'm sorry you are worried. Talk to the midwives who will understand xxx

I’ve had 3 c sections and afterwards I wore pjs with catheter in. I had over the bump pj bottoms to wear which had lots of room (mine were from M&S) over the top of huge knickers that came up high so no issue for my wound.

I think you could manage just fine with pjs on. Nice, stretchy high waisted ones. Even maternity ones, my belly did not go down fast! You could always snip a little hole in the leg for the catheter tubing to lead through if you’re not fussed about binning them afterwards. Just asking as they’re not rubbing directly on your wound you should be fine. I was discharged the day after my section wearing my maternity skinny jeans! So pjs should be fine in my eyes. Hope you get some comfort from PP’s and have a word with your midwife. You’ll be grand x

Nightie will be more comfortable after c section. I bought bamboo maternity ones with poppers at the front for easy breastfeeding. If you don't feel comfortable wearing nightie in ward then buy some soft stretchy jersey PJs.

I also recommend Tena incontinence pants for comfort and feeling secure with the bleeding afterwards as they are very high, super padded and won't irritate the wound and are great to dispose of easily. I didn't want to use maternity pads until a week after c section.

You’ll be in a theatre gown for the op itself and immediately after. Chances are that once you are fully mobile your catheter can come out and you can change into whatever you’d like. I’d reccomend higher waisted, very large, elasticated PJ bottoms for comfort. If your catheter has to stay in, you can always tuck it into your knickers.

Given what sounds like a traumatic history, I think it might be worth talking to your midwife and seeing if a private room might be available to you. You might not be able to go into it immediately after your section due to needing to monitor you closely but it shouldn’t be a problem once you are more mobile.

I have had four c sections. Usually they take your catheter about before you're up and about, so it doesn't matter which you wear, as you're in a hospital gown till then.
However with my third section I had to keep my catheter in for 24 hours ( due to complications) and had to shower and change into my pjs with it in. It was quite awkward looping it through the legs of my pjs, but it was doable.

When I was recovering from an emcs I wore some old thin stretchy legging style PJs with a soft, wide waist band that sat naturally quite high on the waist. I made a downwards cut along each seam at the waist band so that I could sort of pull the front down away from the scar area. Hope that makes sense! They still stayed 'up' enough when I was (eventually) walking around the hospital and with a big t shirt on top no one would have noticed. Maybe try this? I wore them for quite a while at home too as my scar took a long time to heal. Hope it all goes well for you

This was post catheter removal as others have said, until then I was essentially bed bound and wearing a gown

Thank you all so much for your understanding replies.

I will look into high waist pants and pjs, as well as maybe nightie for immediately after, just while I have the catheter in.

I will definitely be speaking to my midwife about it all, as I got very emotional and panicky whilst typing my feelings out. I'm not sure if they have completely private rooms but I will ask, and if not hopefully I can be grouped with other mums choosing not to have dad staying overnight.

As a 2nd time mum I should be more mellow surely lol. But the C-section will be unchartered territory as is the new rules on men staying overnight on the wards.

Thanks again everyone.

When I went to visit my friend after her section she was in pyjamas so I'm sure you'd be ok
Could you get bottoms (men's pyjamas/boxers?) with a button fly perhaps so you could undo the buttons and tuck the flaps away to the side/down?

I’ve always hated nightdresses (for no particularly sensible reasons tbh, just don’t like them!).

After my c section and a recent pelvic surgery (same incision) I wore loose pjs with high waist. Just popped the catheter down leg of pjs and it was fine. Look for something that will reach your natural waist and it won’t irritate the scar.

I’ve had two sections, one emergency one elective. I wore pregnancy yoga pants after both of mine (as soon as the catheter was out) - tbh I reckon I probably could have worn them with the catheter had I needed to but was in the hospital gown until the catheter was out both times (they try not to keep it in too long).

I paid for a private room both times. It was worth every single penny. I would recommend you do that if you can. Have you explained your history to your midwife? It might be worth doing so not least as they might be able to give you a private room without charging for it and/or give you priority as it sounds like it would really benefit you.

Would you feel better if it was an over size t-shirt?

But honestly it's not necessary really, you could just wear massive knickers and bigger, Simon Cowell style pj's. Catheter will only be in 24 hrs.

Can understand you feeling that way especially with dads staying on the ward, let alone other personal experiences. I had a c-section and wore high-waist knickers so they go up to your belly button and don't rub. Same with PJs and if you can find a long robe, you could wear it over your gown immediately after the op which might help with covering up and having the catheter in.

I was in a gown (emergency cs) then wore pjs but maternity ones and massive granny pants (that I actually still love now as period pants )

I would recommend that nighties are more comfortable but not if it’s goinf to terrify you. Would a floor/ankle length one help? Or just very very soft and extremely large PJ trousers which can go over the scar. Also, ask your midwife if there can be any private rooms given on mental health grounds. I know this was possible at the hospital I gave birth at. You might have to explain a little about your past if they aren’t already aware.