C-section Moms - What Post Partum Clothes Did You Wear in the Hospital?

Updated on August 21, 2010
R.H. asks from Dallas, TX
36 answers

Hi Moms,

Just curious to know if you chose to wear something different at the hospital (after your c-section) then the typical UGLY hospital gowns.
I was looking online last night and I can buy some more flattering hospital gowns but they're around $50 a piece and I'm not that concerned about it but I would like to wear something that offers a little more coverage for when I have to walk the hospital floors but something that is convenient for breastfeeding as well.

Also, did you ever wear pajama pants or shorts after delivery? I'm scared to have anything touch me around the incision area so I don't know if soft shorts or pajama pants will work the first few days.

So anyhow, this will be my 3rd c-section and I have only worn the hospital gowns with each of my previous deliveries and although they are very convenient, I'd LOVE to find something nicer and more comfortable to wear after delivery.

Thanks so much for your help!

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So What Happened?

Thank you so much to all who responded, I read each and every response and have decided to buy a few robes and gowns at Walmart or Target. I'm also considering the nursing tanks, I haven't tried those before, even though I've breastfed 3 babies! What was I thinking? : ) Thanks again to everyone, you are all very much appreciated!

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A.M.

answers from Wichita Falls on

Wear pajamas get them a size bigger. The waist band will be well above the incision and so it won't rub. Or you could wear a night gown and robe. JCPenney has breastfeeding pajamas and gowns. Or you might also look at motherhood. Congratulations

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E.W.

answers from Dallas on

I just had my second C-Section three weeks ago and I just brought pajama pants and camis to wear. It made me feel "normal" much quicker than those stinkin hospital gowns. I was worried the waist band would be uncomfortable but it was fine.

Good luck!

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M.M.

answers from Grand Junction on

I wore the ugly hospital gowns too and they were really comfortable but honestly, i found a breastfeeding gown just as comfy as the hospital ones at walmart for around $10. I wouldn't spend the $50 since it is so easy to ruin them right after the delivery with any number of "fluids" :) I didn't want to wear pants or shorts after my C-section either, but my stretchy maternity pants were the ones i chose when i had to where "real" clothes. \

Hope that helps!

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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

I did bring my own nightie to the hospital, but I wore their gowns for a couple days first...they ARE convenient! ;) I've had 2 c-sections and I've found that super loose fitting clothes and draw strings worked the best for me. Things like super soft cotton pajama pants/shorts. If you have a nursing nightgown, take that, I wouldn't buy a $50 hosptial gown!! The best thing, though, is probably just to find a super soft/cute robe that you like and put that over whatever nightgown you choose to be wearing. It's a little bit of the best of both worlds! I found a nice one before my first child was born at Gap Body. It is so soft and lightweight and I loved it! I still wear it!

2 moms found this helpful
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D.W.

answers from Gainesville on

I bought some cute, spaghetti strap, stretchy material gowns (knee length) at Target before my last trip to the hospital. The stretchy material was comfy, the spaghetti straps made it super easy to nurse, they were short enough that I didn't get all wound up in bed and I had a short, light housecoat type deal that I tossed on the couple of times I went out in the hall to try to walk. The bonus is I'm still able to use them 2 years later because they were a cute gown to begin with. Don't spend $50 on something you may never use again!

I do remember wearing pj pants after my first section but they weren't very comfortable because I usually wear my pants very low and I had to wear the pj pants up around my belly button because of the incision. They didn't stay on too long lol. That's why I went with short gowns this last time.

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J.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

I couldn't wait to get out of that hospital gown!!! :) I just brought some comfy and soft pj's and even some sweatpant sets were fine. I never had trouble with it rubbing the incision and I always found it made me feel better about myself to put something cute on that I liked but was very comfortable. Plus, it was easy for breastfeeding as well.

1 mom found this helpful

L.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I bought a comfy, zip front thing... lol I guess it would probably be classified as robe or house coat/dress type thing? It was a nice, soft fabric, that was knee length, and zipped half way up the front, so it made nursing easy. Pants didn't work for me. In fact, I had to go buy some granny panties that went above my incision, which I hadn't anticipated until I tried to put my own on and the elastic laid right on the incision, which wasn't comfortable at all.

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M.A.

answers from Houston on

I bought two pair of pj's at the Dollar General. They were 4 bucks a piece. This way should you bleed on them, which you most likely will, you can just chunk 'em!!!
Get the kind that have a button up shirt, for breastfeeding, and elastic, bloomy, pants. I got mine one size too big and pulled those pants up like an 80 year old man!!! ;)
They were pretty non-descript...white with little flowers on them....as unattractive they were, they were SUPER comfy.

Good uck and Congrats!!!!

P.S. I got slip on houseshoes at Walmart for two bucks.....

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M.Q.

answers from Dallas on

I had my second c-section in April and I went to JCPenny outlet and got a nightgown. You figure you aren't going to use it and they are pretty cheap so if anything happens to it, it is ok.

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K.C.

answers from Wichita on

I never wore anything but the aweful hospital gowns (or 2 one on normally & one on backwards to cover my backside).
I too have had 3 c-sections!

God bless!

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K.W.

answers from Scranton on

Honestly, its probably not what you want to hear, but don't spend any extra money. Just ask them for a belly band to keep your incision held close to your body, wear their gown, bring your own robe if you want. You won't be up to walking around too much, but be in bed most of the time. Plus, you don't want to get your new stuff all bloody. My 1st section, I brought all nice stuff, and learned my lesson for the next 2.
Congrats on the upcoming baby!

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F.H.

answers from Phoenix on

granny panties and my robe.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.O.

answers from Chicago on

I have had 5 kids 3 C's I wore the gowns because It was easy to nurse in and if I bleed on it there was a change that I did not have to wash when I got home. I had two gowns on one the right way and one for a robe. Good luck!
J.

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M.W.

answers from Dallas on

I took some cotton night gowns that buttoned. I was able to shower the day after my c-sect and put the gown on then. I was there for 5 days so I went through a few and then when I got home I made sure I had large underwear that went up over my tummy. I agree with not wanting anything around or near the incision. I wore those for a good two weeks then I was fine with pants. But I definitely couldn't wait to get into my own clothes. I felt awful as it was.

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C.A.

answers from San Francisco on

I too have had three c-sections. I was happiest (with what I was wearing) during my third because I wore a casual breastfeeding dress by Motherwear. It flattered my figure, was easy to breastfeed, and was the most comfortable around that sensitive region. I even got compliments from the nurses!

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M.T.

answers from Memphis on

After the first 24 hrs I took a shower and changed into a nightgown I bought at Motherhood. For actually going home I wore maternity pants without any problem. But I did pretty well with pain - according to my mother-in-law who had 4 c-sections herself and was amazed at how well I was moving. My belly did not go down for weeks so I looked ~6-7 months pregnant for a few weeks after delivery.

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M.B.

answers from Washington DC on

I purchased a very cheap fuzzy robe, to wear when I walked. I find hospital to be cold. Both my sisters and my Mom (who all had c-sections) said you may bleed (like a period) thus the cheap robe. If I messed it up I could throw it away. It kept me warm and covered up, while I walked. My one advice to anyone having a c-section is walk as soon as possible. The longer you wait the more it hurts. After my daughters I was up about six hours have delivery. It was easy. After my son (who came second) I was so sick that it took me about 12 hours before I got up -- way worse. Of course the fact that I spent a lot of time on bed rest during my son's pregnancy may have had something to do with it.

Good Luck. This too will pass.

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A.M.

answers from Dallas on

wore the gown for the first 2 days and then switched to my own clothes ( i was there for 5 days). i bought some of the loosely fitting cotton pants/top sets they have in the lingerie dept. the tops were like tanks but that really lightweight material (similar to jersey) so that i could nurse. they also have the nursing tanks there at target(which i lived in for the first month). it is their brand...gillgan and omalley or something like that. my target had a nursing section. you defininately dont want anything touching the incision. they had me in a large post partum band that went around my body and helped give me some abdominal bracing. it velcroed...ask them about it. i wore it for like 6 weeks post part. get the big granny panties...they work well and then after a few weeks you can wear the low cut bikinis and they should be below your scar.

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

I chose to bring a few different pairs of pajama pants and night gowns :) worked much better then the very "open" hospital gown after the c-section. Good luck!

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M.W.

answers from Chicago on

I bought a black robe from the gap - it was perfect - the dark color was flattering and didn't show any stains - plus it could open easy for nursing and if the nurses needed to check me - i also bought nusring camis from target - these were great and looked nice under my robe.

when i got home i wore black nike workout pants nonstop! they were a little higher up to hold in my postpartum belly and to not interfere with my incision - plus they were super comfy!!

Y.I.

answers from Dallas on

I did use the hospital gown but I bought a really pretty robe to feel good in when I went walking the halls.

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M.K.

answers from Stationed Overseas on

I wore maternity tops and sweat pants but I gave birth in October and I'm always cold. I just wore them a bit higher so the elastic wouldn't rub on my incision area. As soon as I could get up and take a shower I changed into my "normal" clothes. I hated the hospital gowns.

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J.P.

answers from Boise on

I used a spare gown as a robe too. You can bring your own, but I think that PJ's are just a waste of money for the hospital.

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J.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

k

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M.G.

answers from Chicago on

Honestly, I just wore the hospital gowns. I brought clothes to change into, but I was so much more comfortable just staying in what they gave me. Plus, as others have said, there are so many fluids and bleeding, I was glad to stay in the gowns.

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L.P.

answers from Dallas on

I got a nursing gown that I really liked. With my 1st, I bought some really big, soft pj pants. They didn't rub because they were so big and the incision is much lower than your waist.

B.A.

answers from Saginaw on

I kept my gown on but threw on a pair of comfy pajama pants. Now I didn't have a C-section so can't vouch for whether it would bother me around the incision.

EDITED:
Oops sorry just realized you asked C-section moms.

J.G.

answers from San Antonio on

I did use the gown. When I left the hospital, I wore my softest pair of maternity yoga/pajama pants. I had no problem with rubbing.

I think bringing a robe is a great idea. I also agree tat $50 for something the hopsital is selling is a rip-off.

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M.A.

answers from Washington DC on

I bought pajama pants but couldn't fit them over the legs. :) A LOT of post swelling is expected so I just actually wore the top and wore granny pant underwear.
it's not like I was taking walks much in the hospital much. :)

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A.M.

answers from San Francisco on

I see your so what happened and I am glad that worked out for you. They have actual BF gowns. I had one a friend gave me and it made a difference with my second c -section. Plus I didnt really mind if I leaked (which I didnt and sorry if thats TMI), but it was a plain gown that opened up for easy access to the ladies. It also covered better so I wasnt imbarressed when my in laws came to visit or my friends :)

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M.M.

answers from Hickory on

I put on my jumper and a t-shirt. Worked great because I did not have all this stuff touching areas I didn't want touched. For my 2nd c-section I had moved to men pj bottoms. They worked great. The flannel ones were soft and fit great. Just did not like anything the tied or had to button around my c-section line.

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E.B.

answers from Miami on

Just to remind you - (I'm due for the 3rd c-section also). I was considering purchasing pants to walk around in as well. But I got great advice from my Doctor. The first day you're there, you're still have the catheter. And the last two days you're there, their constantly checking your pad for blood clots. So if i were you, purchase a nightgown and a robe - don't buy pants it will be too much to take on and off when they need to see you. Also, I used the belly band with my last c-section omg it helped soooooooo much. But make sure you ask for it at the hospital some doctors/nurses don't think of it. And it helps with the pressure of feeling like everything is just going to fall out :) Good luck! :)

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H.D.

answers from Dallas on

I wore cute Pjs that I wouldn't mind visitors seeing me in. Make sure they are stretchy and soft. You may want to get a size bigger than what you wore prepregnancy.

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J.G.

answers from New York on

I wore roll-top yoga pants after the catheter was removed and a soft nighttime nursing bra. The support the pants gave me was really nice. They also helped hold the icepack!

C.S.

answers from Medford on

I just wore the gowns. NO pants of any kind. I hated even putting on pants to go home (I had 2 planned c-sections). I know that in some hospitals (like here) you have to wear their gowns for safety reasons (if something happens during your recovery). I personally think it would be a waste of money as I don't think that the time you are really going to care, but its totally up to you.

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G.O.

answers from Dallas on

I originally brought pajamas with me, but that was before I knew I would have a c-section. I just wore the gown from the hospital, but I did wear a robe when I walked the halls.

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