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 hope you can have a private room, a friend of mine had quite serious anxiety after her section and they moved her to a private room to help. You're going to speak with your midwife which is great and hopefully she can help get things in place for you.

I did have to wear a nightie after section when they helped me get out of the gown and clean up I asked to wear pjs but was told I couldn't until catheter was out. I had taken a jersey dressing gown too so I felt a bit more covered up as soon as my catheter was out I put pjs on and the next day wore high waisted leggings during the day and to go home. Just make sure everything is comfy and soft and you have to wear the stocking things for ages after too! I had some nice maternity pjs I could still wear after section and they were nursing too. I'd recommend Sainsbury's midi pants in a couple of sizes up they were lovely and soft and the wound area all felt protected. Other section necessities are a big water bottle, I've literally never been so thirsty in my life, and for when you and baby are home have things in easy to grab places as bending down and moving about too much is not fun/possible.

Just wanted to say reading your anxieties and worries it's made me understand why hospitals don't allow partners to stay overnight, mine didn't and I hated it but how you and other women in the same situation feel definitely trumps me wanting my husband there to make cups of tea and change nappies.

I had a planned section last year and for the first few hours post surgery I wore a hospital gown, then they removed the catheter and I wore a nightdress but I could have easily worn over the bump leggings instead, as I did when leaving the next day and for the next few weeks after. I really don’t think it would be an issue, in fact I may do the same as you next time! Good luck xx

Also my catheter was removed after 5 hours so it might not be too long a wait

No advice regarding your c-section /nighties. But, I was given a specialist midwife as well as community midwife (mine was because I suffer from depression/anxiety) and to minimise any stress as best they could I was given a room on my own. Could that be something you query with your midwife?

I had hospital gown, and catheter out as soon as the spinal had worn off- then straight into pyjamas. Didn't do nighties and boobs out along with everything else, didn't need to.

PJs would be fine, but make sure they are huge - a C-section can bloat you up several dress sizes, plus you want to be able to have the waist band as high as possible, well away from the cut.

As another thought, does your hospital have any private rooms? I think ours charged about £70 a night for a room of your own, which is priceless after any birth tbh. They may even waive the fee under certain circumstances - def worth a chat with them.

I've had 3 c sections so I've a bit of experience. I can completely understand your issue with nighties and why you need to have a plan sorted in your head before hand, to reduce anxiety. I think your best bet would be pj shorts, in a big size so they go up over your wound and have loose legs. That way the catheter is easily accessible and won't get caught
up in your pjs but you're also covered where it counts. Best of luck

I managed to get tights and pants on 5 hours after my first still with a catheter in so baggy pjs should be fine (was having a bit of a breakdown for non childbirth related reasons and was planning on going home).

With my 2nd, I was helped into clothes of my own choosing in recovery whilst still bed bound. The catheter was out in about 7 hours which was when I got a postnatal bed and I put pants on straight away to hold the pad in place. I could definitely have worn tracksuit bottoms/pjs quite comfortably, it was just too hot.

I second having a chat to your midwife regarding how nervous you are about the hospital stay itself. I had a section and due to complications I had extra long stays so went through plenty of clothes. I wore pjs during the day and I changed into nighties for night time. I personally recovered really well both times from the actual surgery and had no issues with my scar being sore. Buy lots of super high granny knickers and you will be fine. The scar is really low down so the waistband of your pjs won't interfere with it

I don't agree with men staying on the wards at all. Women at their most vulnerable, then add unfamiliar men into the mix.
Though are you sure it's not just the labour wards and not the post operative wards? My hospital was very strict about all visitors leaving by 8. Some of the wards had 10 beds to a room, so I can't see how they could fit that many people in.

I wore a nighty until I had my catheter removed - about 12-18 hours after I was out of theatre.

After that I wore my maternity yoga pants (Red Herring - Debenhams) and maternity pj bottoms (mothercare).

My sections scar is very low - you wouldn’t see it in a bikini. I’ve bought Primark stretchy pjs in a bigger size since and they come up quite high, no where near my scar.

Good luck

Though are you sure it's not just the labour wards and not the post operative wards? My hospital was very strict about all visitors leaving by 8

No idea where the OP is but I had dd 9 weeks ago and partners could stay 24/7 on the postnatal ward. Luckily for me (because of childcare reasons dh was planning on going home) my consultant got me a private room and when we managed to sort childcare so dh could stay, a lovely midwife produced a camp bed and bedding.

There were no overnight visitors in 2015 when I had my first, that changed and earlier this year every patient could have a ‘support person’ there 24/7.

One of the ladies husbands was quite loud, I was asked if I minded by the midwife and he got a bollocking from the midwife. TBF his partner was trying to shut him up, she just needed some back up.

I had a cesarean less than 3 weeks ago, as soon as the catheter came out I changed into my own pyjamas, top and trousers. I just made sure they were stretchy and high waisted. It was fine.

aren't maternity PJ's really high waisted anyway?
The worse you'll get is a few tuts for not following the guidance. I'm sure the staff have enough to do without wrestling you ouyt of your PJs and into a nightie!

I had mentioned my childhood on my booking in notes but only briefly, I wrote it on there as I struggled with pnd and anxiety after having my son. I found motherhood made me reflect on my own childhood from the perspective of a mum and I found that really tough. Hospital wise DS was a straightforward delivery and Dads weren't allowed to stay back then (I've a big age gap between dcs).

I can see why some mums find it helpful to have dad there. But my DP will go home for the night. We live around the corner from the hospital, and the dads are only offered the armchair next to mum's bed, no actual sleeping space so we had both already agreed he'd be better off having a decent kip at home for when I come home with baby.

Our hospital has already administered "guidelines" for the dads after things on the wards in a nearby town happening like arguments, complaining they don't get fed at meal times(!), wandering around in boxers, coming in and out of the ward all night for cig breaks, being loud, etc.

From what I can remember of the post birth wards they have various room sizes from 2 bed to 8 bed. I'm not sure about 1 bed rooms but I will ask.

I'm so glad I posted. Sounds silly but it took a bit of courage and it has helped to share my worries and hear some possible solutions and reassurance. I feel a bit better about it now and I shall definitely talk it over with my midwife, she's seemed nice at my earlier appointments

My hospital you could have one person there ( usually your partner) from 11am till 8pm. Any other visitors were only allowed during the usual visiting times. I think that's how it should be really, I mean, I didn't want my partner to go home, but on the other side of it, I'd rather he go home so I don't have to put up with other womens husbands. I heard one woman's partner during the day talk about how much I was weeing, when I was only emptying my catheter ( it made a loud gushing noise).

I hope it all goes well OP.

Our hospital allows partners to stay 24/7, with my third it was a godsend for me tbh as I was very poorly and in a lot of pain and my ds was being taken away every couple of hours for medication so he was able to go with him. My husband is very quiet and respectful but I can well imagine some men aren’t.

Post surgery and while I had catheter in I was still in a hospital gown. Once is had that first shower I was out of that and I wore my DHs PJ bottoms as they were soft t-shirt material and cos he is taller than me I could wear them higher than the incision. Wasn't a problem

Same as lots of other posters. Had a section 7 weeks ago. Was in a theatre gown and when the catheter was taken out I got into my lovely stretch high waisted pjs. Just Primark jobbies but was nice to be on my own clothes.

I'm sorry you're feeling anxious about this. Sounds like we had similar childhoods. Sorry old wounds have been opened.

After my c section I didn’t get out my hospital gown until I went home. I did stay in nighties for a while, but obviously without your issues

I would take both. The thing with c sections is if you have a lot of pain or tenderness the idea of PJs will just be so awful they’ll be more awful than your other fears tbh. If it’s ok then you have your PJs all ready!

When I had my c section I was wearing a hospital gown, the catheter came out 12 hours later. Your be on the ward for those who have had their babies so most of the curtains will be drawn and everyone has been through the mill so no one will batter an eyelid. Obviously if it's causing you concern speak to the midwifes, they may have a private room.

Would something like this work? it seems less exposed than most nighties.

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/186808854/front-back-buttoned-hospital-gown?ref=shop_home_active_1&ep_click=1

Take your pjs I can recommend primark, just buy them jumbo size.
You might find it a bit tricky with a catheter, but so what? They do not encourage blokes to wear nighties after operations, do they?
When I had my dc I had emcs both times and I had nighties, because I was young and didn't think it through. I wish I had taken pjs now as I was very uncomfortable with my legs out.

Maybe some large short style jammie bottoms like suggested by an earlier poster which can go under a long nightie would give you the security you need to feel less exposed. Wishing you all the best xx