Before the birth of my first daughter, as I wrote my hospital bag checklist, I think I assumed I’d be preparing for a runway show. Instead of actual postpartum necessities, I focused on cute nursing pajamas, buying a new robe, and packing a makeup bag (yes…MAKEUP!). Practical items like disposable postpartum panties were not even a consideration.
Fast forward to my lochia shedding, post-childbirth body, and I suddenly realized my priorities might have been a little screwed up.
Unless you’ve been through it, it’s hard to know what you’ll want and need after giving birth.
While our pregnant bodies are a miraculous, beautiful thing, we will have gone through the wringer by the end of childbirth. After delivering a child, we’re sore, sweaty, leaking, and bleeding more than you might imagine.
Instead of trying to win America’s Next Top Model Postpartum Edition, why not purchase items that will support you during your natural delivery and c-section recovery?
Postpartum disposable underwear might not sound like the most glamorous product in the world. I speak from experience, however, when I say they’re an absolute hospital bag essential once your baby makes their big debut!
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How Are Postpartum Underwear Different from Regular Varieties?
I know what you’re probably thinking; “Underwear is underwear…why do we need to buy a special type?”
Under normal circumstances, I’m all for utilizing what you’ve already got lying around the house. However, based on my birthing experiences, I’m here to tell you that disposable postpartum underwear will be your best friend.
You’ll likely experience bleeding and soreness during the early days of postpartum recovery. What you need to know, though, is that postpartum bleeding (also called lochia) is not the same as “period bleeding.”
Heavy bleeding is par for the course as your body returns to its pre-pregnancy state. I found those first postpartum bathroom trips to resemble a murder scene if I’m honest!
Since you’re not supposed to wear tampons after birth, you’ll likely be sporting some of the most enormous maxi pads known to man. You might even be rocking postpartum padsicles to help alleviate childbirth pain.
Postpartum underwear keeps these things in place.
They also offer additional support for your healing body that you won’t get with normal underwear.
Do You Need to Buy Special Underwear After Childbirth?
The short answer is no.
There’s no rule stating you must buy a certain type of underwear after giving birth. You’re free to rock whatever undergarments you feel best in.
Just be aware that while your uterus is returning to normal and your body is healing during the early weeks of recovery, you might end up staining and ruining your everyday panties.
How Long Do Most of Us Need to Wear Them?
It would be fantastic if we could all pop out a baby and experience immediate postpartum recovery.
Unfortunately, our bodies take time to get back to normal.
While lochia can last up to six weeks, it usually lightens up pretty quickly. I would plan to have enough pairs of specific postpartum underwear to get you through your first couple of weeks during the postpartum period.
As your bleeding lightens and your uterus shrinks back to its standard size, you might feel more comfortable in your regular underwear.
What Size Postpartum Panties Should You Get?
As a general rule of thumb, you might want to size up when shopping for postpartum underwear. Even if you wear regular sizes throughout pregnancy, you’ll want to ensure there’s plenty of room to accommodate bulky pads after birth, too.
Disposable vs. Non-Disposable Postpartum Underwear: Which Should You Buy?
Disposable and non-disposable underwear offer similar benefits in the grand scheme of things. They’re supportive of our postpartum bodies and large enough to fit our overnight pads and DIY padsicles.
So, the question is, which option should you buy?
Why not grab both?
Most new moms like the idea of wearing mesh underwear during their first few days after birth. This is when you’re bleeding the most, and you’ll need to change your pad every few hours. Buying a couple of packs of mesh underwear should be enough to carry you through this period.
Disposable postpartum panties still provide full coverage but also make for easier clean-up during the first few days.
By the end of the first week postpartum, you might feel ready to get back into some type of cotton undies. That’s when you’ll be grateful to have a few pairs of everyday postpartum panties on hand.
Our Top Picks for Disposable Postpartum Panties in 2022
When picking the best postpartum mesh underwear for your body, fancy styles and color patterns don’t usually matter. That doesn’t mean, however, that some products aren’t better than others.
If you want to fill your hospital bag for mom with the best disposable postpartum panties, check out the options below!
1. Frida Mom Disposable Postpartum Underwear
Made from a fabric blend of microfiber and spandex, the mesh-free disposable panties from Frida Mom are a bestseller in the postpartum essentials community!
Not only do they offer full coverage and a stretchy waistband, but they also include wicking properties that will keep you cool and comfortable all day long. They also come in regular and petite sizes to accommodate various body types.
Want one more reason these are some of the best postpartum underwear on the market? They have a high-waisted design that will help protect your c-section incision after surgery.
One of the things I love about the Frida Mom brand is how great postpartum products they offer mamas.
If you’re looking for great pads, healing foam, or cooling inserts, they offer all of the above!
2. Depend Silhouette Postpartum Underwear
Depend has done more for the mom community than just creating great adult diapers for incontinence after childbirth. They’ve also created maximum absorbency disposable underwear that’s perfect for bleeding and discharge after delivery.
Even better, designers have restructured the design to feature smooth fabric that’s comfortable and hard to see underneath postpartum clothing. Plus, they come in a wide range of regular-size options.
I should note that some reviewers didn’t like the lower waistband on these and mentioned they’re not the best option for c-section moms.
3. Rael Organic Disposable Postpartum Panties
If I’m being honest, I don’t love the way Rael Organic Postpartum Underwear looks. That said, however, what they lack in style is made up for in comfort!
Unlike many other types of disposable mesh underwear, these products have a soft, organic cotton top sheet that makes them feel like regular panties. The materials used in each postpartum diaper are also chlorine-free and fragrance-free.
While you might think a cotton overlay postpartum diaper couldn’t possibly provide the top-notch absorption we need after childbirth, these might surprise you!
Each pair can hold the equivalent of FOUR regular-sized maxi pads!
4. Carer Healthcare C-Section Recovery Briefs
Until your c-section incision begins to heal, you’ll want to avoid as much irritation as possible around your waist. Carer Healthcare offers a top-rated pair of mesh postpartum underwear that will do just that.
These disposable panties provide new moms with gentle support for bulky pads and a lightweight design that’s airy and comfortable during your first few days post-c-section.
5. Latex-Free Ninja Mama Disposable Postpartum Underwear
With their boy-short design and higher waistband, the Ninja Mama Disposable Postpartum Underwear is an excellent option for any new mom survival kit. They’re also latex-free, a bonus for anyone with an allergy.
These postpartum panties are designed to be a one-size-fits-all product. Some reviews, however, mention they run pretty big.
Choose the Right Underwear for Your Comfort After Delivery
Our bodies go through so much after birth – worrying about bleeding through our underwear shouldn’t be on the radar. Disposable postpartum underwear is an excellent solution if you want reliable protection during those early days after delivery.
All in all, however, there’s no right or wrong choice when selecting postpartum panties. The only genuine concern is picking products that work for your comfort and protection needs.
Any of the items listed above will help to ensure you’re covered, so your attention can stay on the main star of the show – your new bundle of joy!
Did you wear disposable postpartum panties in the first days after childbirth?
Postpartum Recovery Link Round-Up
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