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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Coming home/body immediately after giving birth

65 replies

RGxo13 · 16/04/2023 11:38

Hello everyone!
First time pregnancy here. I’m 24 weeks and very excited so have started to think about hospital bag etc. One thing that keeps coming up is a comfy outfit for coming home. I absolutely love over the bump leggings at the min (life saver) but will they fit me once I’ve given birth? I’m quite a skinny person usually and everyone keeps saying to me ‘oh you’ll be one of those people who can come home in their pre pregnancy jeans’ - I can’t think of anything worse right now haha - but surely your body doesn’t just snap back to how it was? I’m usually a size 8, i’m currently buying size 14 expandable waist trousers at the min which are really comfy. Is it wise to pack something around this size for myself? Sorry, I know this is a total materialistic question but just want to know what to pack. Scared the over the bump leggings will be round my ankles haha!

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scrivette · 16/04/2023 11:43

I came home in a loose maxi dress as I went in wearing it and it was very comfortable. I was surprised at how large my stomach still was after the birth and my pregnancy leggings fitted without a problem.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 16/04/2023 11:47

I though snapping back happened instantly so took pre pregnancy jeans in the bag. Ended up wearing the same maternity clothes home.

Highworth · 16/04/2023 11:49

I wore maternity clothes home. Those few days/weeks after giving birth I still looked pregnant.

Iwasafool · 16/04/2023 11:50

I don't think it is common to get straight back into prepregnancy jeans although I did see one mum who had just given birth to twins leaving hospital in her very tight jeans, she was about a size 6 or 8 and I think everyone was a bit amazed/jealous at how she had snapped back.

Daniki · 16/04/2023 11:51

I had my son 2 years ago and still wear my maternity leggings 😂😂

mynameiscalypso · 16/04/2023 11:51

I took a maxi dress for PP and coming home. It fitted nicely over my flabby stomach and I'd also had an ELCS so wanted something loose. I did, however, continue to wear maternity leggings for many many months (and I was an 8/10 pre-pregnancy)

Tryingtoconceivenumber2 · 16/04/2023 11:51

I wore maternity clothes home and pregnancy on DC1 I was under 9 stone. I worse there for about the first 3 to 4 weeks after for comfort your tummy does take a while to go down x

DrMeredithGrey2023 · 16/04/2023 11:52

I don't think I was prepared for just how odd your body can look after birth (I'm sure this isn't the case for everyone)

My stomach looked like a really sad sight for a while, and defo would have preferred not to have anything tight digging in to it for a while.

A floaty maxi dress, over over bump leggings and floaty top would probably be a safe bet

Paintandpots · 16/04/2023 11:57

I hate that term snapping back, what an harsh world we live in where it is a phrase used too often.

Your body needs time to recover and move everything back to its proper place, your uterus contacting takes a few months ago it will be a little bit of time before you can fit into your original pre pregnanacy size clothes. Google it.

But honestly don't worry about it too much. Chances are you will fit into your maternity stuff after giving birth so just pack that really. Elasticated trousers are perfect either way though as i found when i still had quite a baby bump after baby was out.

Or a dress alternatively or the maternity leggings you have been using. If it turns out that the weather changes or you need something else im sure your partner can bring it in for you.

Good luck on the day and don't worry about the outfit too much, trust me you proberbly won't even care that much about it, you will be too busy with baby and rest and recovery.

faffadoodledo · 16/04/2023 11:57

Never mind how you'll look. How will you feel? I really advise comfy clothes for coming home. You'll be too focussed on strapping baby safely into the car seat for the first time to worry about floppy clothes. That'll be the focus, not how you might or might not look after your body has done an amazing thing.
Good luck and congratulations x

faffadoodledo · 16/04/2023 12:00

I hate that phrase too @Paintandpots

I am old enough to remember (as a child) when Princess Di walked out of hospital with one or other of her sons. I remarked to my mum that I was surprised she was still wearing a maternity dress. Mum explained it took a while for a body to get back to normal. I was shocked!

Jellycats4life · 16/04/2023 12:00

You will still have a substantial bump after giving birth.

I remember when Prince George was born and people all over were shocked that Kate still looked pregnant. Guess no one had seen a woman the day after giving birth before.

sjxoxo · 16/04/2023 12:02

Couldn’t think of anything worse than wearing jeans!!! Take a lose Dress. If things don’t go to plan or you have a C sec you won’t really want to wear trousers. X

Emmamoo89 · 16/04/2023 12:14

I was lucky and hardly had a bump and breastfeeding I went back to my size before pregnancy

Emmamoo89 · 16/04/2023 12:15

Very quickly*

Lemonademoney · 16/04/2023 12:16

I never had a bump after giving birth and I’ve had four children. But it is nice to be comfy still so I wore soft leggings and joggers. Every body reacts differently to pregnancy - I wouldn’t rush back into jeans

Caspianberg · 16/04/2023 12:18

I had under bump stretch jeans from seraphine during pregnancy, wore pair onto hospital at 40 weeks and same pair home 2 days later. They were size 8 pregnancy jeans, so same size as usual, but more elastic belt. I wore a few months after baby even though lost weight and bump quickly, as it takes time for stomach to tone back up and stretch comfortable if sitting down feeding baby a lot

worriedgasper · 16/04/2023 12:18

Nice comfy flowy pyjama style bottoms and a top that you can easily open to feed if you need to. Layers in case you're hot or cold. Shoes easy to slip on and non trip!

worriedgasper · 16/04/2023 12:18

Denim is the LAST thing you'll want to put on!

flowagurl · 16/04/2023 12:21

Could you buy an in the middle pair of leggings? Maybe size 10-12? My tummy went away straight away but my legs/ bum and hips obviously had no reason to suddenly disappear so I wore a couple of sizes bigger for quite a while to be fair still wear them

Cloverforever · 16/04/2023 12:22

Unlike the girl in the bed next to me, go for a darker colour, not your favourite Juicy Couture white joggers.

flowagurl · 16/04/2023 12:22

@Cloverforever 😳

IsleofDen · 16/04/2023 12:22

Oddly with my twins I “snapped back” immediately, in fact I was freaked out by it when the first was born and my stomach deflated to almost flat and there was still one in there! But it felt weird and spongy for a while and I definitely didn’t want anything tight pushing on it.

With my son i definitely still looked pregnant for a couple of weeks after the birth. So I don’t think there is really any way to tell what will happen, but would agree that loose and comfortable is the way to go.

PartnersInCrime · 16/04/2023 12:30

I was back in my jeans by 10 days but for going home I'd suggest black comfortable trousers/leggings and maternity should fit just fine for a few days or weeks after depending on how you recover.

LaviniasBigBloomers · 16/04/2023 12:31

How I hate that phrase 'snap back'.

Your uterus won't have fully contracted.
Your stomach is likely to feel a bit soft and doughy - like there's fluid still in there.
Your vulva is going to be tender (putting it mildly) or you may even have stitches. Or a C section scar.
You'll also have a mahoosive maternity pad in.

I can't think of anything worse than a pair of jeans over that! Pick something soft, stretchy and dark. Don't forget the big knickers.