Bringing a baby into the world is a sacred and memorable experience, but it also comes with some unpleasant side effects. In the weeks following delivery, it’s normal to experience bleeding, cramps, and even occasional bouts of incontinence as your body recovers from the physical stress of childbirth. Thankfully, best postpartum underwear It provides the extra support, compression, and coverage your body needs during this transition. We then asked our postpartum staff to try on the most popular brands and rate which ones were actually worth wearing.
According to our experts and parents, comfort is the most important factor when purchasing postpartum underwear. Jennifer Giorte d’Oro, a certified birth doula, lactation consultant, and clinical nutritionist, says, parents Postpartum underwear should be slightly fitted, not too tight, and should make you feel “comfortable and supported.” Tampa-based doula Yamel Belen, RN, IBCLC, adds that breathability and style are equally important. “Due to hormonal changes, you’ll sweat a lot after giving birth, so make sure[the fabric]isn’t too heavy,” says Belen. “I also don’t want it to be so bulky that it looks like I’m wearing a diaper.”
Types of postpartum underwear
When considering different types of postpartum underwear, our experts recommend starting with your birth experience. “If you had a normal vaginal birth with no tears or repairs, you may choose (consider) something with less abdominal support than a woman who gave birth by C-section,” says Faina Gelman Nisanov, M.D., a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at North Jersey Gynecology.
- High waist: Ideal for those who have had a C-section, the waistband of this underwear is above the belly button to avoid incisions. A higher waist provides additional support for your tummy as it recovers from pregnancy.
- Features that reduce pain: Some postpartum underwear have special pockets for ice packs or warm compresses, which can help minimize pain around the incision, perineum, and lower back.
- disposable: If you’re giving birth in a hospital, you’ll likely receive a few pairs of disposable postpartum underwear that are designed to be thrown away after use. This means you won’t have to worry about accidental leaks and you’ll have less laundry to do.
- Reusable: As a more sustainable approach, reusable underwear can be washed and worn again, and are often made from thicker, more durable fabrics than disposable underwear.
Why I liked it
This disposable underwear from Always is a combination underwear and maxi pad. It has the kind of stretchy softness you’d expect from underwear, and the ultra-absorbent core is designed to protect a parent’s skin after giving birth. Can dry up to 12 hours. Depending on the level of bleeding, you may not need to wear pads. Best of all, Subtle clear scent You can throw it away after use, eliminating the need for extra laundry during your postpartum recovery. (For those with sensitive skin, Always also offers a fragrance-free type.)
Our tester wore this underwear for the first month after her baby was born and “really loved it.” “Wearing this underwear made me feel protected at all times, day and night,” said a tester. Not only did the Always Discreet underwear keep her dry, but they were so comfortable that she sometimes forgot she was wearing them.
But please be careful
This underwear only comes in one color and style, so it may not be ideal if you prefer high-waisted underwear after giving birth.
detail
- size: S-XXL
- material: cotton
- Care instructions: disposable
Why I liked it
Kindred Bravely High Waist Underwear 5-Pack It feels like I’m hugging my uterus. That’s because for about 6 to 8 weeks after giving birth, your uterus goes through a series of contractions to return to its normal size. For many women, high-waisted underwear relieves the pain of labor and provides extra support for your tummy while you recover.
Our testers raved that the Kindred Bravely Recovery Panties were the most comfortable postpartum underwear they’ve ever worn. She felt the fabric was soft, Lace detail on top. “At a time when you can look and feel bad, this race feels really good,” the tester said.
But please be careful
We think the lace trim adds a touch of elegance to this underwear, but testers felt like the waistband sometimes slipped down. “I had to readjust and pull it up frequently,” the tester said. Also, this underwear is not designed to wick moisture and there is no place to put an ice pack.
detail
- size: S-XXL
- material: 95% Rayon, 5% Spandex (excluding lace); Gusset: 100% cotton
- Care instructions: Machine wash cold, gentle cycle, tumble dry low.
Why I liked it
If your baby was delivered by C-section, the scar will take about six weeks to heal and may be sensitive for several months afterwards. Therefore, it is important to wear postpartum underwear that will not worsen the scar. After having a second C-section, our tester wore this underwear and was pleased to find that it didn’t cause any irritation or discomfort. “Soft and comfortable and fits very well,” said a tester. “They are don’t rub my c-section scar and have Excellent breathability”
But please be careful
Other than the extra fabric in the gusset, this underwear is not designed to absorb moisture or contain odors. If you have a lot of vaginal discharge, we recommend wearing a maxi pad to be safe.
detail
- size: S-XL
- material: 94% Pima cotton, 6% spandex. Gusset: Bamboo viscose
- Care instructions: Machine wash cold, gentle cycle, tumble dry low.
Why I liked it
The best part about this stretchy disposable underwear is that seamless waistbandTherefore, your C-section scar will not get worse. After trying out this underwear, postpartum testers loved the high-waisted support. She liked it that way too. cool and comfortable I felt it didn’t irritate her skin.
But please be careful
In fact, this underwear is perfect for the first week or so postpartum. Our tester then noted that she probably wanted something more comfortable to wear (because to her, these felt like papier-mâché).
detail
- size: small and average
- material: microfiber and spandex
- Care instructions: disposable
Why I liked it
If you give birth in a hospital, you’ll always be given a few pairs of white disposable mesh underwear to wear while you’re in the hospital. Hospital mesh underwear is great because it’s lightweight, breathable, and generally one size fits all, but we like this set from Bodily better. First, here are the Bodyly Mesh Undies. Black is good for hiding dirt It may be accompanied by postpartum hemorrhage. More stylish than hospital underwear. Mixed graphics across waistbandTesters called it “very comfortable” and “doesn’t feel constricting.” I love that this underwear comes in a pack of 5 pieces and can be washed and worn over and over again.
But please be careful
Mesh underwear is typically designed to fit all body types, but Bodyly Undies only comfortably fit sizes 2-16. Our testers also found that the shape of this underwear kept them relaxed throughout the day, leaving them wishing they had something a little more supportive.
detail
- size: 2-16
- material: 90% nylon, 10% spandex
- Care instructions: Machine wash on gentle cycle, line dry
Why I liked it
We’re so happy that Kindred Bravely has taken postpartum underwear one step further with the Soothing Fourth Trimester Panty. In addition to holding the maxi pad in place, this underwear includes three pockets to hold it. Calming gel pack for stomach, chin, and lower back. Each pocket targets typical pain points for postnatal parents, and the two included gel packs can be used cold or warm depending on your preference.
This panty has Wide gusset allows storage of even the largest maxi pads And the material is thicker than others. The result is a gentle compression around the abdominal muscles, which testers said felt comfortable and supportive when compared to compression levels with Spanx.
But please be careful
These shorts may be comfortable, but they aren’t cheap. As of this writing, a pair costs $40 and is only available in black.
detail
- size: S-1X
- material: 77% nylon, 23% spandex. Gusset: 100% cotton
- Care instructions: Machine wash cold, gentle cycle. Tumble dry on low heat
Why I liked it
It’s not often you find clothes that are designed to be worn inside. and Post-pregnancy, this is Kindred Bravely’s Grow With Me underwear! Available in 4 colors; High-rise waist provides extra support For your changing stomach. I like that it’s made from. Lightweight, stretchy blend of OEKO-TEX certified nylon and spandex It adapts to your body from pregnancy to postpartum, so you can wash it and wear it repeatedly.
But please be careful
These underwear cost about $16 per pair, but they can get expensive if you buy one for each day of the week. Our testers also found that the light, airy texture actually caused the underwear to bunch up and move around, which was especially frustrating when walking on the floor with toddlers.
detail
- size: S-XXL
- material: Body: 80% nylon, 20% spandex. Gusset: 100% cotton
- Care instructions: Machine wash cold, gentle cycle. Tumble dry on low heat
Why I liked it
Although everyone’s postpartum experience is different, postpartum hemorrhage is almost normal. But if wearing maxi pads isn’t your thing (can we blame you?), you’ll be relieved to know that with the Proof Leak Proof Essential Briefs period underwear, you don’t have to. Designed to absorb moisture.Up to 4 regular tampons-So you can skip the pad from time to time without worrying about leaks. The best part is that this underwear is washable, so you can wear it every day.
Our testers wore this underwear every day for three weeks, starting right after their baby was born. From running errands to chasing toddlers to attending formal baptisms, she went on adventures everywhere and was happy to absorb moisture and smells well. “I wore this for 24 hours, Never experienced leaks or moisture“It’s very comfortable for everyday life and allows me to move around without having to worry about bulky pads as much,” she said.
But please be careful
While we value sustainability, we recognize that for some families, paying around $23 for a pair of underwear just doesn’t add up. Our testers agreed, noting that while there was a desire to move away from disposable sanitary products, they weren’t doing so “simply because of the price of a single item.”
detail
- size: XS-XL
- material: Exterior: 75% nylon, 25% spandex. Top lining: 100% polyester; Lining: 70% polyester, 30% cotton; Bottom lining: 100% polyester
- Care instructions: Machine wash cold, gentle cycle. Lay it flat to dry.
Other notable postpartum underwear
- Bodyly all-in panties: Our testers found this underwear to be “insanely soft” and liked that it didn’t compress their perineum. However, she didn’t like how much the fabric shed and how the seams were so thick that they showed under the leggings.
- Innersey Women’s Leak Proof Sanitary Shorts: This underwear requires no padding and is highly odor resistant, but the thick lining caused some irritation and felt like I was “wearing a diaper.”
Our testing process
To determine the best postpartum underwear, we asked parents of staff members who had recently given birth (vaginal or caesarean) to wear different brands for five weeks. Specifically, subjects wore the underwear at least three to four times during the testing period while performing various physical activities such as light exercise, housework, and caring for their baby. In doing so, they focused on the following points:
- Absorbency: It was important how well the underwear could cope with different levels of postpartum bleeding and discharge, and especially whether it could be worn for long periods of time without feeling leaky or stuffy.
- Odor control: Underwear that controlled or neutralized odor was rated higher, especially when the odor control feature did not compromise the overall comfort level.
- comfortable: While recovering from childbirth, it was important for our testers to feel comfortable in their underwear and be able to wear it for long periods of time without experiencing irritation.
- fit: Postpartum underwear should support your recovering abdominal muscles without constricting them. They also need to adapt to changes in body size and shape.
- Breathability: Whether the material allowed for proper ventilation determined whether testers felt cool and comfortable while wearing the underwear. As a result, you should not experience any skin irritation or discomfort.
- value: The postpartum underwear we tested ranged in price from $14 to $53, with a median price of $24.50. Based on these numbers, testers decided whether they were willing to pay a certain price for the underwear, whether they would wear it regularly and recommend it to their friends.
our experts
In search of the best postpartum underwear, we spoke to experts in childbirth and women’s health.
- Jennifer Giorte d’Oro, Certified Birth Doula, Lactation Consultant, Clinical Nutritionist, Chiyo Co-Founder and Chief Culinary Officer
- Dr. Faina Gelman Nisanov, Board Certified Obstetrician-Gynecologist, North Jersey Gynecology
- Yamel Belen, RN, IBCLC, Doula, Owner of One Love Doula Services
Factors to consider when buying postpartum underwear
- size: From pregnancy to postpartum, the size and shape of your body changes significantly. So, be sure to follow each brand’s specific sizing guidelines, as finding the right size underwear can be a little difficult. Ideally, postpartum underwear should be snug enough to support your recovering body, but not so tight that it constricts.
- fabric: First and foremost, your postpartum underwear needs to be stretchy to accommodate your changing body. It should also be soft, breathable, and made from natural materials (such as cotton) whenever possible to avoid irritating the skin.
- Postpartum comfort: Whether your baby was born vaginally or by caesarean section, you may experience some level of discomfort after giving birth. Postpartum underwear can help reduce pain by providing targeted compression around the abdomen and by having dedicated pockets for hot or cold compresses. If you have a Caesarean section, be sure to choose high-waisted underwear to avoid aggravating the incision.
answer your questions
How many disposable underwear do I need after giving birth?
Postpartum hemorrhage, also known as lochia, begins shortly after giving birth and usually lasts 4 to 6 weeks. Bleeding will decrease over time, but a good rule of thumb is to calculate an average of 3 pairs of disposable underwear for the first week postpartum. If you plan on wearing only disposable underwear, that means you’ll need at least 20 to get you through 4-6 weeks of bleeding.
How long do I need underwear after giving birth?
Everyone’s recovery journey after giving birth is different, but the typical healing time is (at least) six weeks. In the end, how long you wear postpartum underwear is really up to you. You may like the compressive feel of postpartum underwear and use it at other times, such as when your menstrual cycle returns.
who are we
Mississippi Laura Rue is a writer for: parents And a mother of two children. She had one vaginal birth and one C-section, and was grateful to have supportive, high-waisted postpartum underwear while recovering from both births.
