Trivial topic: What size/type knickers for hospital

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

I am currently worrying about all the trivia, rather than the big things. So now I am worried about what knickers to buy for hospital.

I am currently wearing size 12 (JL/M&S) bikini style but not sure they are "solid" enough to support scary maternity pads.

Went and bought some super cheap cotton pants from Primark in size 12-14 but I couldn't get them more than half way up my thighs

I was going to buy big pants ("full briefs") for the extra pad support, but then realised my belly might not have gone down enough for them to fit?

I really don't fancy paper pants, and cotton ones aren't that expensive.

So what should I buy? What size? What type? Or should I just accept that there will be vast levels of leakage anyway and I should just use up my "B" grade bikini briefs that I already have?

Also, can I use my Mooncup as they are less prone to infection than tampax?

Definately recommend paper pants as its a very messy business and you can throw them into disposal bins with the pads. If you take your own then for same reason take old ones that are OK to throw away. Would not waste money on anything new.

Not sure about mooncup, isn't it just pads as you will be very sore and as you say could become infected?

I wore my normal size in old lady passion killer style. It was more for the CS wound than leakage. Although it helped with that too.

I went with tescos cheap and cheerful black BIG pants last time in 1 size bigger than normal. Will do the same this time. I also had some boy short ones but the would have been useless if I had a c-section as they would rub on the cut. 10 pairs of large black knickers they can then be thrown away as needed.

No to mooncup either as there is an infection risk.

paper pants v uncomfortable ime

might be worth buying a 3 pack of big granny pants in a 14/16 just in case of cs/even just for the feeling of extra security. you stomach will definitely go down - to about the 5/6 pg month mark initially. after that use up your reserve knickers.

mooncup/tampons etc no use. you need pads

and if we are being trivial - what to wear in labour?

I WILL care. With DC1 I had a lightweight cotton kurta thing. DC2 planned c/s. This one - who knows but want to be prepared for anything.

No to anything other than pads, not only for infection reason but midwives have to see the lochia to know you're bleeding normally.

Personally I loved the disposable pants (but no-one else seems to!), I had a few packs of large (I was 12-14)and just tore them off and binned them as needed. I also favoured 2 brick like maternity pads stacked on top of the other (proper maternity pad on top, Tesco nighttime underneath) - I bled a lot, and also found the cushioning helped with stitches. Tampons/mooncup a big nono.

I love this sort of trivia

Ooh Mazzystartled, another trivial question!

I will be wearing the same white cotton nightie (with broderie anglaise yoke) that I wore in labour with dd1 and 2. The MW said I was mad to wear it, but it it was light, I could unbutton it for b'feed and washed brilliantly (it has also gained big sentimental value for me)

Disposable pants were horrible but cheap value granny pants from Asda a size bigger than normal were perfect and you can treat them as disposables as they're no more expensive but a lot more comfy.

I bought some over bump maternity knickers for after the birth.....kept pads firmly in place and big enough not to be in the way of a section scar had I needed one! Really not very attractive though!

I got big pants from Primark, one lot in size bigger than normal and another lot in my usual size - your bleeding afterwards goes on for quite a while, eg 4-5 weeks from what I remember. For that reason you don't want to use Allways type pads with plastic backing as they get a bit (TMI) sweaty to wear. Our hosp provided maternity pads so I swiped a few of those but also bought some from boots I think. And believe me you won't want to be using tampax or mooncups!

(Big pants are handy as maternity pads are thicker, along the lines of old-fashioned sanni pads)

I have bought 2 packs of high leg, high waisted pants from Asda in a couple of sizes bigger (£1 per pack of 3) - I hated disposible knickers last time. I found the above sort of knickers more comfortable for holding pad in place and supporting jelly belly.

I have bought some really cheap nighties from Primark to take to hospital - what I give birth in remains to be seen. Best laid plans and all that.

I also went for the £1 for 3 knickers from Asda. At that price, you can use and chuck if there are leaks. I bought two packs in 20-22 for over the bump (i.e. in labour and day or two afterwards) and two in 16-18 for the next couple of weeks. Twas fine.

I was a 12 before pregnancy and now, ahem, still a 14. Nine months on, 12 months off and still counting...

I bought some M&S big pants for after my LO was born (4 years ago) and love them so much I still wear them.

if you dont like paper pants get cheap cotton knickers but make sure they have some LYCRA content. that way when you pull them up they will give a bit, and not rip at the seams like mine did and will be a bit more cofortable.

i prefered granny style pants, to help keep my jelly belly still.

also i wore primark nightie, short enough to hitch up, but long enough to cover my bum when required. cheap in case its needs to be binned (mine washed up fine). buttons down the front for BF and breast pocket which my tens fit in nicely.

I've got myself 4 packs of primark big bertha granny pants. 5 pairs in a pack for £1, so they're cheaper than the disposables. Have no idea if they'll be too big after I've had the baby. I'll just have to tie a knot in them if they are! They are rubbish quality I wouldn't buy them under any other circumstances.

I was size 12 before so I got 12-14, (they are massive). The elastic and cotton is 'el cheapo' so it stretchs enough to cover my bump now (38 weeks) The paper ones scare me, keep thinking about paper cuts in all the wrong places.

I'm sure everyone will think I'm barking, but once I had left the hospital, I comandeered several pairs of my dp's plain non y front pants. They were really comfy, felt way more secure than ladies briefs and came in dark colours!

crikey do i win a prize for most substantial bottom expansion? I was in size 8 bikinis before and am now 37 weeks and feeling very comfy in my primark size 12-14 granny pants. I brought a 6 pack for after for the birth but been wearing them ever since... just worried there wont be enough room in them for my bottom plus the super large pads and i might have to invest in some 16-18s

now a primark nightie to fit over my mahoosive boobs.... theres an good idea.. will have to toddle up there today

I favoured paper ones to help with leakage with nice floral up to your armpits primark specials over the top to stop me feeling so rustley.

I wore one of dh's old t-shirts for both labours, it is very sentimental.

I find with primark normal sizes do not apply just buy the biggest