Postnatal ward clothes? For a c section

[Niknak90]

Hi everyone,

I'm a FTM, due to have a c section in 4 weeks time and I've been busy packing my hospital bag. Baby's stuff is basically packed but I'm not sure what to take for myself. Does everyone just hang out in pjs and comfies on the post natal ward?

I've bought a BF friendly night gown because I heard it's easier to put on after c section surgery than PJs and easier with catheter etc. But then someone else just recommended PJs so that it's easier to have wound checks done... Does anyone have any experience they can share, specifically those who have had c sections? Do I need normal clothes for the day? If so what sort of thing would you recommend wearing?

Sorry FTM, probably over thinking everything! TIA xx

Yeah I'd get a button shirt type pyjamas set (if you're breastfeeding, whatever you like if you're not). I had a nightie and wished I hadn't to be honest, I felt really exposed. Would much rather have just stuck the catheter tube in the leg of my pj trousers!

Been a long time since I had my sections so I may be talking out of my arse but I just wore loose fitting stretchy lounge bottoms and short sleeve cotton tops. I do remember the ward being very hot.

First one was premature so couldn’t breastfeed immediately but second one was full term and I just lifted my top up. Probably not ideal. There are probably some maternity breastfeeding friendly tops out there now?

Just wear stuff that is very loose and easy to take on and off… and massive knickers of course!

Everyone is in pyjamas or loungewear . I wore a nightdress until my catheter was taken out and changed over to pyjamas once I was up and about .
get a size or two bigger than your normal size as your belly is still round and swollen .
And obviously get gigantic high waisted knickers too !

no personal experience, but top tip from a patient I looked after recently.... if you do decide to go with PJs, get mens and then you can pass the catheter tubing out through the button up bit rather than looping it over the waistband. (Cath usually comes out pretty soon after the spinal numbness has worn off though so all other things being well it probably won't be in that long).

Assuming you have knickers on under your nightie (and you will, you’ll need a pad for the lochia), it is fine to just pull the nightie up.

To be honest I didn’t have a wound check until about a week post-partum - there was an enormous waterproof dressing which had to stay on for five days. So nobody was looking at it on the postnatal ward.

I know the previous poster said she didnt have a wound check but thats not necessarily the norm, must depend on the hospital as my wound dressing was removed before I left the hospital 24 hours after surgery .

I’d recommend a nightie and some comfy pj bottoms, plus some nursing vest tops. Everyone’s recovery is different but you’ll be catheterised for around 12-24 hours post recovery, and will likely only get up to use the loo and shower for the first day or so. I’d also pack some soft comfy leggings and top, jumper to go home in. If you’re in longer and feel like getting dressed you can wear these. I’m guessing there will be someone to pop home if you’re missing something too?

Take some flip flops for the shower, a thin dressing gown/cardi for covering up. Maternity wards are always roasting so you won’t need lots of layers. I’d also pack lip balm, toiletries, big black comfy cotton pants, maternity pads, hairbands and a thermal bottle to keep water cool. Good luck!

I went with breastfeeding friendly nightgowns that came with a robe. They were big and soft and long enough that I felt covered. I had trouble getting up and down on the toilet quickly so would not have wanted the added layer of pj bottoms. They would have just gotten messy from the lochia.

Btw, I highly recommend a pair of slide on flip flops as hospital shoes after a C-section. That way they are easy to rinse, but can be worn with socks if you want.

Big knickers and pyjamas, slippers or flip flops and dressing gown was all I wore! Probably went home like that too lol

I was given a matching set from Seraphine that had a button down nightie, a dressing gown, a breastfeeding top and soft trousers. Its expensive new but I recently sold my set on vinted for about £20 so im they'll be more on there if you wanted to look for a bargain! It was nice to have options, it felt like loungewear rather than pjs, so helped me feel more like myself again. Agree with pp about sliders as well - after DD1, i had to wear compression stockings and the toe thong in flip flops was really uncomfortable. Sliders were much better.

I had a buttoned nightdress - so could unbutton for feeds, but no pyjama bottoms to sit on the wound. As others have said, maternity wards are hot as the gates of Hades so make sure it's thin.

Definitely take a nightie as well as pyjamas, you’ll likely have a catheter at first and then you might not want anything too tight on your stomach. Good luck!

I wore a long button down nightie (Matalan) for post section then once I was up and about I changed into maternity pj's (button up short-sleeved top and trousers) and just put a long cardie over them to go to loo etc and to go home.

I had a C section last week. Don't worry about feeling exposed as you'll be behind a curtain once on the ward. You'll also be in a hospital gown during and immediately after theatre, and you won't be able to change until you regain enough sensation to be able to walk around. For me, it was almost 8 hours after theatre before I was able to get out of bed and move and therefore change my clothes.

I took a nightdress and light dressing gown to wear on the ward, plus high waisted disposable maternity underwear. The hospital will give you maternity pads initially, but take your own too as this will allow you to change as and when you need to in your cubicle (I just used my nappy bags to store the used pads in and then carry them to the bin). A nightdress will make access to the catheter easier - I had mine in for about 18 hours. Definitely take sliders in case you need compression socks.

I wore maternity leggings and a baggy t shirt to travel home in. My dressing wasn't removed until 5 days post-surgery by a midwife who visited me at home. But you'll want to wear high waisted, stretchy or baggy clothes for a while after due to the location of the wound, which is basically on your bikini line. Pack nursing bras too if you're planning to breastfeed. Take some form of entertainment with you as you'll likely struggle to sleep - I read my book and also had a tablet with films and games downloaded.

I'm also a FTM and I was nervous about my section but it was honestly fine! Good luck OP.

Yeah everyone will be in pyjamas/loungewear.
Take a couple of vests because the ward is likely to be roasting hot, the ones with breastfeeding drop down clips are handy

I wore breastfeeding nightshirts kind of mid thigh length) over pj bottoms.
Went home in leggings and baggy t shirt.

Really? Different hospitals are so different! My dressing was taken off within about 6 hours. I’d showered, without dressing and with catheter removed by 4pm, had my C-section at 2am. Had a wound check every day before we were released (day 4) then again at day 5 and 7.
OP I wore my hospital gown until catheter was removed, after that I wore pyjamas with a button up top. By day 2 I was wearing my maternity breast feeding friendly dresses - I felt better being dressed. They were easy enough to loop up to show off my wound.

I was in a hospital gown until my catheter was removed 6 hours after the surgery. I think I had pads on the bed to catch any blood but I didnt see or notice them. After that I had a shower and put on a cheap Amazon breastfeeding friendly button down nightie with the Fridamom disposable boy shorts and a maternity pad. I also had the black Primark boyfriend pyjamas for the day (and I needed up wearing the black pyjamas trousers home). I had the curtains closed on the ward and so did everyone else, so I didn’t get a good look at what people were wearing, but I wouldn’t want to be in anything non stretchy, and nothing that puts pressure on the incision - so everything I wore was high waisted or my leftover over the bump stuff.