I remember before I had my first baby girl, I wondered what would happen to my body after she was born.
What would my tummy be like?
What should I wear coming home from the hospital and afterwards?
And don’t even start with breastfeeding outfits, if I was successful.
It’s always the same when you haven’t experienced something. It’s a minefield and unknown territory.
I laboured at home for all my babies and went into hospital when I was almost ready to push. With my girls, it was late summer when they were born and the stretchy dresses I’d lived in through the pregnancy, were perfect for that bumpy, painful car ride! I went in to hospital, or should I say crawled in at 8cm dilated (!) and came home wearing those too.
For my winter baby boy, maternity dungarees were the outfit of choice and again very baggy and comfy.
No matter how you have given birth, you do NOT want tight clothes pressing on your stomach or pelvic area. After a C section, you will of course, have a scar that you will be taking care of and will not want any rubbing or pressure on it.
I gave birth vagin*lly for all three of my children and was very sore and bruised for a few days. I honestly felt like my nether regions had been kicked by a mule so the thought of my skinny jeans made me shudder!!
If you have torn during the birth or needed stitches, anything tight is really niggly and uncomfortable. You will need maternity pads to cope with the post-partum bleeding and choosing soft cotton pants is a good idea. These pads make super sanitary towels look small (!), so you may want to pick pants a little bigger! Also pick ones that you don’t mind throwing away if they get stained. Go for a cheap multipack.
Clothes wise, immediately post-partum or for coming home, I would recommend stretchy dresses or leggings and a large t-shirt or vest in the summer months. In the colder months, joggers, leggings, or trusty maternity dungarees are perfect. A hoody or cardigan to keep warm too.
If you don’t fancy clothes a good pair of pyjamas or a nightie is just as good and very comforting. I treated myself to a fun pair for each of my children and still have them now!
Again, don’t spend a lot, as they may get a little stained. These clothes are perfect for the few days or even longer after birth, depending on your recovery time. Comfort is just essential. You spend a lot of time resting, sleeping and cuddling your baby afterwards at home, so best to be snuggly too.
The Weeks That Follow – What To Wear?
I had no idea what my body was going to be like after giving birth. You don’t expect to look pregnant still - but you do!!
You are left with this squishy bump and it’s a bit of a shock with your first baby. It can take 8 weeks for your uterus to contract and shrink, which breastfeeding helps with, so everything looks swollen. Even after this has gone down, your tummy isn’t what it was. I had a gap between my abs for a while, stretchy skin and a squishiness.
This is when your maternity clothes come in very useful!
You may feel after a bit, less sore; your C-section scar may be healing and you are venturing out more. I found my maternity jeans, dungarees and leggings perfect here! I could dress them up with nice shoes and treated myself to some new tops, but I still had the comfort of my jeans and no pressure to buy a new pair at that point. Some ladies feel they want to lose a little weight before treating themselves. I did! Saves money and is a goal.
Breastfeeding
I was very lucky to breastfeed all three of my children and considering your wardrobe is an essential here. You do need something that is easy access for your baby and if you are public breastfeeding, comfortable for you too. I bought a dress when I was pregnant with my son and haven’t even worn it yet! I totally forgot I can’t get my boobs out in it at all.
There are specialist maternity tops you can buy that give your baby access for a feed and keep you covered and stylish. Personally, I have only used these now and then at the start and have gone for tees and vests and just lifted them up slightly to feed. There are so many stylish slogan tees available now; teamed up with your maternity jeans, you are totally rocking it!
