Best Postpartum Underwear To Get You Through the Fourth Trimester

Best postpartum underwear – the comfiest you can find to get you through the fourth trimester.

Postpartum underwear isn’t talked about enough. We talk about nearly every other aspect of pregnancy and childbirth but for some reason the nitty gritty of postpartum recovery for moms isn’t addressed in depth.

After you deliver your baby, you will bleed. The lining of your uterus sloughs off whether you’ve had a c-section or delivered vaginally. Typically you will have less bleeding after a c-section because doctors clean the uterus to make sure the placenta and membranes are removed.

On top of the bleeding and prolific use of pads (because you can’t use tampons or cups post birth for safety reasons), you will also be sore. If you’ve had a c-section you will have an incision near your panty line that will hurt and need wound dressing. If you gave birth vaginally your vaginal area might have stitches, grazes or hurt like you… just pushed out a baby.

Your usual underwear just won’t do. You need underwear that is comfortable, can hold pads/dressings/ice packs in place and is either disposable or easy to wash.

Postpartum recovery isn’t easy, so make it easier on yourself by buying products that can help you through this transitional time. Purchasing postpartum underwear will help you feel prepared and more comfortable during the sometimes stressful time after giving birth. There are so many different options available that you should be able to find a type that you will love.

We’ve done the footwork for you and are excited to share the Top 6 Postpartum Underwear options. Read on to learn more.

In This Post

The Top Disposable Postpartum Underwear for Brand New Moms
The Top Washable Postpartum Underwear for New Moms
Why Do You Need Postpartum Underwear?
The Different Types of Postpartum Underwear (And Why You Might Need One or the Other)
The Final Word on Best Postpartum Underwear
More on Postpartum Recovery

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The Top Disposable Postpartum Underwear for Brand New Moms

Frida Mom Disposable Postpartum Underwear – 8 COUNT

The Frida Mom disposable postpartum underwear is a fancier non-mesh version of the post-delivery underwear supplied by hospitals. The tagless boyshort style provides full coverage.

Frida Mom disposable postpartum underwear is made of a microfiber/spandex material that makes them super stretchy to hold pads and other “recovery layers” in the right place.

At less than $2 per pair, they are inexpensive enough that you won’t feel bad throwing them away. They are available in two sizes: Regular (fits waist of 28-42” stretched) and Petite (fits waist of 23-34” stretched). They have a high waist c-section cut available as well.

Reviewers mentioned that it is easy to tear the material when removing an adhesive pad so you may want to order several boxes. These cannot be washed.

Check It Out on Amazon

Always Discreet Postpartum Underwear – 20 Count (Pack of 2)

The Always Discreet Boutique Underwear is marketed for both incontinence and postpartum use. They are designed to look more like underwear, with muted colors and printed designs, but are disposable.

These come in sizes Small/Medium, Large and Extra Large and have a “light, fresh scent.” The style isn’t written on the packaging but they appear to be a full coverage panty, not a boyshort cut.

Since these aren’t made just for postpartum use, they don’t have design specific to c-section recovery. However, they have absorbency built in, and you can always use them with pads to make them last longer. These are less than $1 per pair of underwear.

Some reviewers mentioned that the scent was off-putting and postpartum users recommend sizing up to account for postpartum belly and comfort near the c-section incision site.

Check It Out on Amazon

Mesh Postpartum Underwear – 10 pack

This postpartum underwear is just like the kind the hospital supplies after giving birth. They are mesh (made of polyester and spandex), boy short cut and seamless. The high waist design makes them a comfortable choice for women recovering from a c-section. At a little over $2 a pair, they are inexpensive enough to throw away, but durable enough that you can wash and wear them again.

These aren’t fancy or feminine but they will do the job they are designed for.

Check It Out on Amazon

The Top Washable Postpartum Underwear for New Moms

Kindred Bravely High Waist Postpartum Underwear – 3 pack

Kindred Bravely High Waist Postpartum Underwear is designed to sit high above c-section scars while still looking pretty and feminine. They are made of 95% rayon and 5% spandex and are designed to hold post surgery dressings and/or postpartum pads.

These are NOT disposable and are meant to be washed and worn again and again. They come in sizes S-XXL and a variety of colors. They are around $7 per pair and come in a pack of three.

Some reviewers mention that the leg holes are cut uncomfortably small, and others have had problems with the lace band coming off after washing. However, many reviewers reported that the customer service for Kindred Bravely was wonderful.

Check It Out on Amazon

UpSpring Baby C-Panty – 1 pair

The UpSpring Baby C-Panty is specifically targeted to women recovering from a c-section. It is a compression panty with a silicone strip near the c-section scar area that “minimizes scarring, reduces irritation and protects the incision area.”

The UpSpring panty is designed to go almost all the way up to your bra line. The length of the panty, along with the compression material (92% nylon, 8% spandex) slims the postpartum tummy and can reduce some of the discomfort of a c-section. UpSpring C-Panty can be machine washed but must air dry.

Some reviewers mentioned that they had problems with the top rolling down and discomfort when putting them on and taking them off, especially in the first weeks after a c-section.

Check It Out on Amazon

UMMISS Womens Underwear – 3 pairs or 5 pairs

UMMISS Women’s Underwear are not specifically designed for postpartum care. However the stretchy fabric (95% Cotton, 5% Spandex) and high, wide waistband make them a snug and comfortable fit for someone recovering from a c-section. The UMMISS underwear is available in sizes small-5XL, comes in many colors, and can be machine washed and dried.

Check It Out on Amazon

Why Do You Need Postpartum Underwear?

Do you really need specialised underwear for after birth?

Ok, you could technically get by in a pinch with your maternity underwear and you’ll definitely be fine with more normal underwear later in the postpartum period… but those first 1 or so weeks of heavy bleeding you’ll want underwear that is:

comfortable as anything
probably high waisted (to support you and avoid any c-section incisions)
either disposable or dark colored and washable
able to fit large maternity pads

As your bleeding tapers off, you’ll be free to switch to more normal sized pads and underwear.

My personal recommendation:

Use disposable underwear in hospital (use theirs if you can!) and the first couple of days at home.
Switch to comfy fabric underwear once bleeding is lighter.

The Different Types of Postpartum Underwear (And Why You Might Need One or the Other)

There are many different types of postpartum underwear out there. If this is your first baby, you might want to order a variety to see which type you prefer.

Fabric (UMMISS, Kindred Bravely): Fabric postpartum underwear will help you with a feeling of normalcy during a time of change. They can be washed and used for months if you choose. PROS: Feels like normal underwear CONS: Need to wash, no extra protection for bleeding.

Compression (UpSpring C-Panty): Compression underwear will help with c-section pain and your figure (which no one should be worried about the first few weeks postpartum!). This could be used in place of a post-pregnancy wrap to support your weakened abdominal muscles PROS: C-section support CONS: Not always comfortable, difficult to launder, pricey.

Disposable (Frida Mom, Mesh Postpartum Underwear, Always): Disposable postpartum underwear will be easiest to use since you can throw them away. But they may not be as comfortable or provide the feeling of normalcy that fabric underwear does. PROS: Easy to use, no laundry to worry about CONS: You’ll feel like you are wearing disposable underwear

Built in pad (Always): a built-in pad adds another layer of protection in case your postpartum pads aren’t enough. They can also be used alone when your bleeding slows. PROS: Less likely to leak CONS: Comfort

The Final Word on Best Postpartum Underwear

Having a baby is such a wonderful experience. But the life changes it brings can feel very overwhelming. Trying to balance all of your new duties as a mother while tired and recovering from birth is hard!

Do yourself a favor and make one aspect easier by purchasing postpartum underwear that will help you feel more comfortable.

Any of the top 6 postpartum underwear in this post are a great choice, but taking into account overall comfort, ease of use, style, and customer service we recommend you try the Kindred Bravely High Waist Postpartum Underwear. Consider buying a few of each types of postpartum underwear to try out after you have your baby…then you can simply order more of the ones you like.