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.

I did the same as Greensnail, and bought some lovely lacy new knickers to look forward to, and took my old, grey, baggy pants into hospital, and threw them away afterwards.
I used the proper maternity pads, two at a time, but still found despite doing my best, that I leaked, hence, do not take nice pants to hosp!

I couldn't bear the thought of the paper ones though!

I favoured the big paper pants over cheap cotton ones, with thickest pads possible stacked on top of each other, then you can tear the whole lot of and throw them away. When i had a c-section, pants that finished just under the boobs, make sure they are 100% cotton (need to be breathable over scar).

Cheap crocs for the shower and as slippers (wards are usually very hot), nightdress if you have a c-section, cheapo pj bottoms and a variety of vests/tshirts.

Agree with Prozac - tena lady pants and tena lady pads (super absorbent) were FAB. Really wide and comfy unlike any maternity pads I tried (and I tried loads). No leakage at all.

Bring snacks with you and ask people to bring in a hot lunch if you have a longer stay (e.g chunky soup in a flask). The hospital food was absolutely shite. Sometimes I couldn't get anything as DS was attached to my boob and wouldn't give it up so I would have starved otherwise. My DH still gets angry on my behalf about it!

Clothes - you want really baggy tops that are front opening if you're BF. Also if you want skin to skin with baby, you can just open your top and pop them on.

Something to listen to - ipod or mp3 player with headphones. I didn't sleep much as would watch DS but needed to shut out the noise of the staff flapping about.

You don't, just get some nice big comfy pants, I got a couple of packs of cheap Adsa ones 5 for £4.( they can be chucked if needs be) and get some nice cushiony pads. Maternity ones are awful, I went for body form nighttime ones.

I used disposable ones in hospital, because they rip down the side so when you are still unable to move post-section you can have clean pad and knicks without too much difficulty.

Then I had big cheapo pants that I wore for weeks and weeks.

I had a pair of maternity yoga-pant type things to go home in.

Agree on cheapo granny pants to chuck away - enough for a few days when you get home too. Buy about 30 pairs I would say.

Whatever you do - PLEASE DO NOT BUY PADS WHICH SAY "COTTON LIKE" LIKE ALWAYS. This is REALLY IMPORTANT. Sorry for caps, but my old fanjo ended up a bit of a state due to stitches falling out. This is because these pads have chemicals in them (like nappies) meant to draw away fluid. This means that everything got so dry that the stitches were pulled away. Very upleasant/uncomfortable. Only use actual cotton pads like kotex.

My home midwife told me that the union of midwives want this information given out to women, but the sanitary protection industry have blocked this as they give away samples, and have marketing info in nhs booklets etc. I think this is a scandal.