We all worry about what to put in our own hospital birthing bag before birth but what are you going to wear after birth.
If you’re preparing to have your baby and wondering what to wear after giving birth in the hospital.
Preparing for your hospital stay
You’ve imagined whats going to happen when it’s time to give birth. The hospital you hope to deliver at has been selected.
How you’re getting there has been has been practiced, travel times during the rush hour traffic. Also alternatives if your partner cant get you to hospital. Your birthing plan is solid, well as solid as it can be as you always need to expect the unexpected.
All set.
Wait! What are you wearing? The same clothes that you go to hospital in, is that a wise idea. Especially after a few hours pushing and panting it is never pretty. Do you take the clothes you are going to wear after giving birth before giving birth. Our do you pack the bag separately, label it well, “clothes to wear after giving birth” and trust your partner to bring it in.
The hospital will not be providing you with clothes, well at least the kind you’ll want to wear after giving birth. The open back hospital gown, no one ever said you look good in that.
There is usually cold drafts sweeping through the hospital, or it’s absolutely roasting.
After reading this article you know what you will want to pack in your bag so you’ll know what to wear after giving birth in the hospital.
Even if you’re reading this check list last minute, or if you’ve been down this road before, you’ll want to make sure you have these essentials.
Checklist: What To Wear After Giving Birth In The Hospital
1. Comfortable Underwear
There’s a reason this is at the top of my list.
When you’ve given birth and you want to hold it all in, comfortable underwear is going to be your best friend.
Whether you’ve given birth vaginally or c-section, you will want the comfort and security of full underwear.
Now is not the time for those barely there underwear, thongs, etc you want comfy, hugging pants. You will need more than you expect whilst you’re in hospital. For me there is no better feeling of putting on a fresh set of underwear on, I know simple pleasures. Of course you don’t have to go to the extreme and wear a set of bloomers.
Maternity Or Nursing Bra
You may be breast feeding and your baby needs to get to the boob quickly or visitors are dropping by and you don’t want your breasts out.
Under either circumstance you won’t want to wear a conventional bra with wires, stiff cups or itchy material. You want something comfy and practical to wear, trust me comfort above anything else. It might be a good idea to practice before you hit the hospital so you are more comfortable in what you are doing.
There are so many cute nursing bra options and the cool thing is that they come with straps that drop down with one hand for easy access to the breast. If you’re not breast feeding then just plain comfortable. No underwire and stretchy breathable fabric for your changing breasts.
Cozy Socks/ Slipper Socks
If you don’t normally wear socks or slippers trust me, those hospital floors are hard and cold. Ideally go for something like cozy slippers, the long socks but have rubber on the bottom to stop you from slipping. Or if you’re a regular slipper wearer then take them, make sure you buy some nice new ones to wear after giving birth.
Legging / Joggers / Stretch Pants
This depends on your personal style and preference, but the main thing that these pants have in common is that they are forgiving and give your comfort.
The fabric needs to be stretchy. Fitted pants are just not going to be something you’ll want to wear.
Don’t even think about packing jeans. These make it easy to cherish every moment with your little one without feeling constricted. Comfort comfort comfort ladies.
Robe, Dressing Gown
Just something nice to wrap yourself up, you can either go something snuggly or something a little brighter and elegant. If you intend to take photos and flood your Facebook and Instagram account then I suggest that the robe is the way to go. Make sure it wraps around you well after you have given birth so you look good for the camera.
Pyjamas, Jim Jams For After Birth
Again I would go for new ones for the special occasion of giving birth. Something soft warm and that makes you relaxed. You could go with a cotton nightie but if you are breast feeding this won’t be practicable at all. If you are breast feeding then a buttoned pyjama top would be a more practical option. Do have a good think about what would make you comfy and do it in plenty of time. Babies don’t usually stick to birth plans or due dates.
Headbands Hair-ties
Often overlooked but if you have long hair the last thing you want is it in your face. You will probably get rather hot, a little sweaty, ok a lot sweaty and the last thing you want to be doing is moving your hair out of your face every 2 minutes. So take something practical to keep your hair tidy and out of your face, you will thank me later.
Basic T-Shirts To Wear After Giving Birth
Always room in any bag to put in a couple of comfy cotton t-shirts. Again ideally cotton so the skin can breath and ones that you already own. Of course if you are going down the breast feeding route the you may need to buy a special top with the studs in or the up n over.
Thats it you have it, a list of clothing essentials that you will help you get your hospital bag together. Of course you don’t need to have everything on the list but now you have a list to reference. Make sure that you take decisions on what you want to wear after pregnancy because you don’t know when baby is coming. Just last month my second was born and was 3 weeks early, complete shock, you can read about the birth of my first in 2011.
