I'm packing my hospital bag – what kind of knickers?

[esgill]

In my NHS antenatal class they said disposable knickers are good. Why? Is this because we're likely to bleed a lot post birth? I'll have the maternity pads anyway.

Can I get away with just bringing some knickers I don't care much about? I'd rather not have more waste than necessary.

I got a cheap pack of giant cotton granny pants from Asda, 2 sizes up. High waisted because I knew I was having a section. They were lovely and soft. I can't see how disposables would be better, unless it's so you're not tempted to keep wearing the humongous pants later on which I do sometimes because so comfy

I took both but I ended up having a c section and disposable underwear was a life saver. They are actually not too bad, they are soft and sit higher on your waste without feeling too tight.

I also had maternity pads but I found for the first couple of days that I really needed both until things settled down.

It might not hurt to buy a pack and take with you, just incase.

I just wore normal knickers they were fine

@GloomySkies Thanks, that's a good call. I don't think I'm having a section but then I never know. Think I'll just buy some cheap pants on the high street one or two sizes up. I've worn the same size throughout pregnancy but I guess I don't want my nice knickers to be ruined!

Large comfy higher waisted pants, dark or ones you’re not bothered about if you leak.

I did the same as the PP, cheap black granny pants from Primark in 2 sizes up. More comfortable than disposable ones and are good for while your tummy is still shrinking down.

Big black ones are good

A man must be making this recommendation about disposable knickers, so infantilising and uncomfortable,

Big, soft, cheap, black pants are what you want

Do try to get cotton in case you do need an emergency section, you'll want natural fibres. Hope all goes well for you!

@smartiesneberhadtheanswer sadly not, it was the midwife in our antenatal class! A lot of the women in the class are getting them but I felt them and they feel scratchy and quite unnecessary. Wondering too about getting some period pants.

I just got cheap smartprice pants that I didn’t mind throwing out

@GloomySkies thank you! 35 + 4 and getting a bit nervous now.

Yes I mean a man suggested it originally.

Many midwives don't really update their thinking very often

Disposables are so uncomfortable. If you end up with a c section you’ll need full briefs (M&S are the most comfy) and I’d go up 2 sizes

Just big black pants here. I certainly didn't need disposable knickers and pads. I used thin maternity parts for 3-4 days then a few days of pantyliner. Bleeding was done and dusted within just over a week.

The first 24hrs were heavy, but by 48 hrs for me it was lighter than my period. I did have sections though and I think they give your a bit of a spring clean inside so you often (but not always) bleed less.

I just wore my normal pants. How do too big pants stay up?

Yes I just took some full briefs with me in case I needed a section, and maternity pads. I did end up with EMCS and they all came in really useful.

I just wore normal sized also. Had bump, but butt stayed same size, so 2 sizes bigger would have fallen down. I think I just bought pack of 5 normal black pants from m and for for about £5. Not large granny style either, regular briefs.

Yes big black granny pants, I should say in had a section and bled for about 6 weeks so you can't tell

Big uns! 🤣

Huge super high wasted black granny pants. Think mine were from matalan. Go super high wasted. I didn’t then had an emergency c section and had to send DH out to get more even higher wasted ones as the others were sitting on my scar.

I bought a cheap pack of 5 black high waisted granny pants in the next size up.

I still wear them now. My son is 3. 😂

I used pads with my first and disposable underwear with my second. The underwear was a godsend and I wish I'd used them both times. The pads seemed to move around when I was lying down and I ended up leaking onto the hospital beds as there was a lot of blood. The underwear are really secure.

I bought a pack of 10 and that was enough cos by day 3/4 the bleeding had died down enough to use pads.

Big black, full coverage up to my belly button cotton knickers were the best for me.
Kept the maternity pads in place perfectly.

I also recommend spritz for bits spray. I had stitches with dd 1 and used the spray on every fresh pad and sprayed my bits after every wee. I healed really quickly, even the midwife was surprised I was sitting cross legged on the sofa after a week!

Big, black, cheap 'full briefs' - almost 13 years later, I'm still wearing them!