Best kinds of knickers and pads for c-section hospital bag?

[KellyJellyfish]

I have an elective c-section booked for January and am starting to pack my hospital bag. Please can anyone who has had a c-section recommend specific knickers and pads? I’m not sure if it’s better to buy the disposable sort, or high-waisted ones that go over the incision, or low-waisted ones that sit beneath it etc, also not sure how much I’ll bleed so what sort of pads to buy.

also any other c-section hospital bag must-haves you recommend, please let me know!

thanks

Big pants! The biggest pants you can buy. DS is 4.5 and I still wear big pants post-ELCS. My scar is at the topic of my public hair basically so no pants are low enough to go under it. I think I just bought maternity pads from the supermarket for post-birth. You still bleed quite a lot even after a CS.

Usual maternity pads, I used to get them mothercare a long time ago. And large brief cotton knickers. Breathable. Kindly my MIL got me large briefs with a lace cotton front maybe M&S? They were brilliant so kind of her thinking back on it.

Big pants! My c section scar is so low down if I tried to find pants that fit underneath it would be impossible.

sainsburys do brilliant big briefs you want cotton

I had a c section in July and used the Frida Mom disposable underwear (Amazon). They come up onto your tummy so no aggravation to your wound. I found them incredibly comfortable. I just used a maternity pad inside it and then onto a normal one after the blood loss lessened.

I bought disposable mesh underwear - comfy and breathable and don't feel cheap - I'll paste the link at the end. I used the biggest maternity pad I could find and am so glad I did. I don't have heavy periods but was surprised how much I bled.
I got caught out a few times thinking it was slowing down so wore a normal sanitary towel and flooded - thankfully both times I was at home but just be mindful of that.
Good luck with your C section. I was nervous having it done but it was an absolute breeze and would happily have another if needed.

Frida Mom Disposable Postpartum Underwear, Grey (Waist 70-107 cm) amzn.eu/d/7NE9OvV

The frieda disposable c section pants are brilliant for the first few days with a pad in. I just threw them away when I got in the shower each day. I used the boots own brand ones.

After a week I switched to a huge pair of m&S cotton knickers which were very comfortable.

You also want to make sure you have some trousers that do not have a seam where your scar is. Quite a few of the maternity trousers I had a seam along the incision line.

I wouldn’t get the disposable pants I tried them after my c-sections and found them really uncomfortable
Get really big cotton cheap cotton pants

Big granny knickers preferably in black.
just normal maternity pads I got mine in the supermarket or boots.
You won’t want any tight clothing over the scar for a bit

Cheap big pants, packs of 5 cotton ones from supermarkets. They can be binned if needed.

I loved the Frida Mom ones too!

Big Bridget Jones pants and maternity pads.

I got ones with a bit that gently held me in around my c-section scar. They're still my faves! Like super gentle spanx!

Agree the bigger the knickers the better.
For pads - the hospital will give you some while you're there. When you get home, the large ones you're supposed to wear overnight will do fine.

Compression! That's what I meant!

https://www.johnlewis.com/cantaloop-caesarean-section-briefs-pack-of-2-white-black/p587769?size=S&sppc=2dxxmixedfashionnBAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gadsource=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjjCrBhD-ARIsAIiMxTmRpm1dSpUBgTxcEAG-IGJslQbzXoU7Rm6xO1oHbBJKKJLOQA6pwkaAvUEEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Sainsbury's full briefs are good, and I liked boots maternity pads, the thick ones. I wore two in a T shape, one in the normal place and one across the front along my incision.

Best knickers are old ones….as you take them off, you chuck em

A friend recommended incontinence pants to me. They were brilliant for the first few days because you could just chuck the whole thing in the bin and not have to fiddle about with pants and pad. Mine were Depend Comfort Protect Pads in a small/medium and I am a 10/12.

After that I moved to high waisted comfort knickers, these ones, in a black medium.

I had disposable mesh knickers and giant maternity pads provided by the hospital (not in the UK) and I took a pack home just to have one less pile of washing to do. They also provided a binder which felt great to wear for the first week or two, would definitely get one again if I had another c section.

I don't think you'll get pants that go under the scar, it's pretty low. I got M&S full briefs two sizes larger than I'd normally wear.

I did this too and they were great. I also wore maternity leggings for a while that stretched over the scar and didn't rub anything.

Maternity pads are good.

Take a pillow to the hospital and then you can hold it over your scar on the drive home. Plus much comfier for sleeping in hospital.

Good luck! It was a great experience for us.

John Lewis have specific pants for c-sections. I got them and also large period pants.

Id recommend peppermint tablets or tea as trapped air can be painful

Very big knickers and the usual sort of maternity pads.

You don't need to chuck anything if you care about the environment. Just get pants that go up to the waist. You'll be able to use them for months post partum. Ignore anyone who suggests throwing things away just because they need washing .

Big ones! I got some high waisted ones from M&S a couple of sizes bigger than my normal size.

I preferred maternity pads with wings, but any should be fine. Someone told me to take isotonic sports drinks with me. They’re probably not the healthiest drink around, but they did perk me up 🤷‍♀️.

I didn’t use much else that I packed in my hospital bag, but if your partner is leaving at any point, ask them to put your bag on the chair so you can reach it without bending.

Good luck OP, I’ve had two planned c sections and they were really nice experiences