Do I really need disposable knickers?

[WigglyWigglyWoo]

Forward planning but thinking about my labour bag. Lots of people seem to suggest disposable knickers. Are these to wear during the labour? I sort of presumed I would be knicker-less. I'm guessing they are suggesting disposable because they get so manky they need to be binned afterwards?

I really can't see them being comfortable. Would it be ok just to buy a really cheap multipack of normal cotton knickers from a supermarket or am I missing a crucial point?

Sorry if it's a stupid question but this is my first and I want to be prepared!

get at least a size up.

I'd just hang onto your current ones and use them during labour and post partum, and treat yourself to some new ones for afterwards. Casting my mind all the way back to my three labours, that's what I did.

Granny knickers will be wearing the same knickers I did with dd! Also the ones when im on a period and need to be comfy....washing machines are awesome!

www.marksandspencer.com/5-pack-pure-cotton-plain-full-briefs/p/p20042284 these were fine for me, no need to size up. mind you the pack was all black, but they washed well and if they had still fit i'd probably still wear them

no i never wore them, just use some old ones - most survived to be wron another day :)

They used to have paper knickers on the list 25 years ago! Never even seen any

I just bought my favourite M&S ones, that keep sanitary towels comfortably in place. I also used my usual STs, only for heavy flow. No leaks, no problems. You can always put biotex in the wash/prewash.

Get the 10s. They'll probably fit best to begin with. If they're too big you get to feel smug about still having a size 8 arse

Size 10

I couldn't just wear what I normally wear as I like nice expensive fitted underwear with matching bras and I did not want them destroyed by lochia. I didn't have any big comfy granny pants to wear let alone wash. Re size, Since dc2 I have been a size 12 (more accurately an 11) and for the last 3 babies I have bought 14-16 (rather than 10-12) they do start to feel billowy after the first wk but that is always good for me psychologically as it shows I'm contracting back down.
And YY to proper mat pads rather than things like always. They will run and irritate.

I just got some - BLACK - giant granny knickers from Primark and M&S. You have to wear massive pads anyway, so personally I think disposable knickers are a waste. Don't make yourself into a martyr by wearing uncomfortable and degrading disposable pants!!

Buy them on offer and think nothing of throwing away a few pairs if you have to.

As others have said, just buy big black ones. Re maternity pads, I bought the ones in wilko, then found out their nighttime pads were EXACTLY the same as their maternity ones, more in the packet and half the price!

Nah. Just old/dark/comfy ones.

I bought some disposable maternity knickers from Boots 1 size too big, got them home and they looked like kiddies pants and were low rise...WTF?!! Surely they should be generous in size and come above bump?! When I tried them on I felt like they were about to rip as I pulled them up. I've packed them just incase but also went to Tesco and got 3 pairs for £4 (the cheap cotton ones in a packet), bought them several sizes too big and they're so high I could use them as a roll neck! Not messing around for after the birth...I'm going all for comfort! Would definitely recommend them

I used disposables both times and must admit I quite enjoyed the feeling of getting rid of them, and the anticipation of wearing nice knickers again post-recovery - but it seems I might be on my own!

Size 10

I was a size 8/10 pre conception.

I've bought size 16

Yes I'd also go much bigger. I was a size 10 pre baby, at 40 weeks I'm now wearing size 16 massive granny knickers from BHS and I'll probably be in them for the first couple of days after birth, then I think I'll need a size 14 for the next month. It does all snap back though, sure you'll be in your pre-preg size soon enough. I say that and hope it's true after baby #2 although I have a sneaking suspicion it probably isn't. Ah well, at least I'll have comfy knickers

I seem to be in the minority but I used them both times for the first few pad changes then went on to use my primarni granny pants, will be doing the same again this time around. I liked the fact that pad and pants came off as one and went straight in bin. I did find the sizing a bit peculiar though.

I'd wear old ones you have already, or buy big cheap knickers. Disposable ones are awful.

I was 8 pre preg and wore 12 knickers after birth....best...pants....ever. Disposible ones are horrible. Really don't.

No, I just used some comfy big knickers and washed them afterwards.

Never understood the disposable or chuck away thing.

Big comfy grannie knickers too! I had c section and used packs of cheap tesco black full briefs. Get a size bigger. They were really comfy, I didn't"t buy maternity towels just big night time sanitary towels tesco own, I found them more than adequate. Good luck with your baby!

No they're marketing fad. Primark/tesco full briefs are cheaper and more comfy if you've had a c-section. If you've had a vaginal birth use what you were wearing at end of pregnancy and chuck if necessary.

Black full briefs, a size bigger than you normally take. I agree with others there's no need to bin them, esp if you plan on doing it again. They wash fine.

No. I knew that I was having a CS so got some big cotton knickers. With decent maternity pads there was no "leakage"

Slightly off-topic, but a good tip - I had a vaginal delivery, and one of the nurses on the ward warned me that it would feel a bit like your insides might fall out when you have a wee for the first few times. (Sorry....) However if you hold a sanitary pad underneath you whilst you wee, you feel a bit more secure. Entirely psychological, but it helps you feel better. :-)