Can someone explain why I need disposable knickers please?

[AmeliaEarhart]

I'm 36 weeks and just starting to think about my hospital bag. Lots of the lists of recommended items I have seen mention disposable pants. Can anyone explain why I would need them? Wouldn't my normal knickers be okay with maternity pads?

Any other tips on things to pack that don't usually get mentioned would be much appreciated too.

If you have crocs they're fab for showering.

I'll tell you why you need disposable knickers because 7 years ago nobody told me why and I took g-strings despite doing all the antenatal, reading you do with your PFB everyone failed to tell me you will lose a LOT of blood and you will certainly NOT be wanting to keep those kecks!

Primada do great big apple catchers about £3 for 5 pairs....buy 15....

even though it'll be cold when you're due, take lightweightish pjs as the post natal ward will be very warm for the babies.

Primark pants, trackie bottoms (dark), vest, nursing bra, cardie.

baby clothes - I didn't think of this at all but I'd bought DD some v cute festive sleepsuits (she was born in December) which didn't undo down the centre so a bugger to get on and off, so they never got worn! In fact, she was just in vests in the hospital, so baking was it, with a little blanket.

I second the mahoosive apple catchers. And however many packs of maternity towels you buy, buy double. I had a c section and wasusing them for weeks afterwards. Can't believe how much goo there was.

I just chucked them out if they got yucky.

Have still got a couple of pairs I wear now when I play sport. They're so big I have no problems with hungry bum.

Take a bottle with a sports cap. Saves straws flicking all over the place.

Good luck. It's the hardest but best thing you'll ever do.

Ahh, you're brilliant, all of you! The question had been niggling away at my brain for ages. The things they fail to mention in NCT class... (Although we did get an explanation as to why a sieve might be necessary for a water birth. The look on some people's faces was classic )

Bulk-bought cheapo black grannypants it is then (to be chucked rather than washed).

second the dark trousers thing IN YOUR MATERNITY SIZE! I stupidly and naively thought that i would be my "normal" size after baby was born (all i had was baby weight). I went in in cargo pants which got blood on so couldn't be worn home, the jeans i packed came up to my knees and DH went home and came back with......................white trousers that wouldn't do up

black tracksuit bottoms are great for schlepping round the house in afterwards too!

If you get too many maternity pads, they can be used later on in a travel potty.

I think this thread should be compulsory reading for all DH's!

Good luck Amelia x

Cheapo jersey pyjamas are brilliant too. Meant I didn't have to get dressed for the midwife 9am visits as they don't look too pyjama ish.

Navy blue massive nightie is a good choice for the actual birth (if not completely naked by then!). Plus dark joggers and a huge t-shirt/nightie for afterwards.

Go for proper maternity pads, rather than any type of san pro. They have less (or no) plastic content so won't irritate your stitches so much...

And any old pantaloons will do...

And maternity pads in tesco or wherever are cheap as chips.

And more comfortable.

deffo get some chillout trousers...TK Maxx do great yoga ones that are smarter than trackie bottoms because believe you me, you will be wearing them for the next 6 months!

I liked my paper pants a lot and used them each of the 3 times. Liked just throwing the lot away (which I know you could do with cheapo ones but knowing me I'd end up washing them!). Also you can lay 2 maternity pads side by side as the gusset bit (down below) is extra wide. They're super cheap in tesco, why not buy and try?!

Lots of people have said to get cheap pants in massive sizes.

Don't.

I was given this advice so bought some in size 16-18. I'm normally a size 8. The waist elastic was so enormous that they didn't hold the extra weight of the padding, and I spent the day hoisting them up. Get one or maybe two sizes bigger than normal, but don't take the advice too literally!!

Couldn't bear the thought of paper pants. I bought multi pack of John Lewis basics (7 pairs for £4/5 at the time). Was prepared to bin them if need be but actually still have them several years later. Bought them in my normal size. They have elastic. It's fine.

I like to buy both paper pants and cheapo black ones from primark. I put the paper ones on first with the pad and then the black normal ones on top. It feels more secure than just paper pants, and if there's no leakage, then you can just chuck the paper ones with the pad and replace. This is only really necessary for the first few days - after that just the cheap black pants do.

I also only bought the pants 1 size up....

A little drop of lavender and tree tea on the pad is soothing and cooling and the smell makes you feel fresher and cleaner.I liked the paper ones for the first couple of days because I found it easier just to tear them off or cut them (no bending down!)

Agree with all the big knicker converts here!
I had a cs and 8 months later have to wear big pants as my scar area still feels numb and i hate my clothes touching it.
Already been said but definitely flip flops for the shower-the cleaners dont go in after every woman has had a shower.
Also a nice big warm cosy dressing gown-for the middle of the night feeding etc and i found really big nighties great for hospital so you dont have to put bottoms on as well.
So there you have it,big knickers, big granny nightie, flip flops and fluffy dressing gown, im sure you will look as stunning as i did.

Antibacterial wipes incase there's only a bath. They can be pretty grim.

I hated the thought of paper pants, bought cheap pants (1 size up) from Tescos.

Another vote for bottle of tap water you can drink lying down. Start getting those fluids in as soon as you can after the birth IMO. I was so terrified of the first poo - actually it was fine even though I had stitches - but plenty of water can't hurt.

See the flip-flops everyone keep mentioning - make them plastic washable ones, yeah? Because sometimes, if you've been lying down for a while, the blood will gush when you get up and can get on your footwear. A girl in the next bed to me when I had DD1 ruined a lovely new pair of white fluffy slippers her DH had brought in for her and she was (hormentally) upset about it.

I thought the DH was pretty thoughtful though - he'd brought the lovely slippers and a new nightie and produced them for her after her elective section. My cynical mind did wonder if it had been a thoughtful MIL or SIL that had recommended this................

Handcream, unscented or a gentle scent you like. You wash your hands so often with a newborn.

Small business-size card with all the breastfeeding helpline numbers already on it, to keep in your purse. I was in a hospital with a breastfeeding clinic, but it was only open a couple of times a week (staffed by unpaid midwives ) and the main hospital staff were curiously reluctant to suggest using it.

you don't. Massive cotton pants and pads are fine and more comfy IMO. Asda george do bargain ones.

I bought huge tena style inco pants, as they were so much more comfy & I didn't have to worry about maternity pads slipping.