As a first time mom, knowing what to wear after a c section in the hospital and at home can be challenging. Because let’s face it, you really don’t know what to expect! So it’s only natural to be a little anxious about what to pack in your hospital bag.
In this blog post, I will be breaking it down for you starting with some real expectations on how you’ll most likely feel after a c section followed by suggestions and mix and match articles of clothing that allow you to maintain a sense of style but are comfy and affordable.
Hospital Stay + Setting Your Healing Expectations
As a new mom, it’s important to have a basic understanding of how you can expect to feel after giving birth, especially after a c section. You probably won’t feel much for the first 12+ hours after surgery (thanks to the strong medicine you’ll be prescribed), but once it wears off you will be sore, tired, and it might feel weird with the dressing on your incision.
One major tip: stay on top of your pain medicine.
You just had MAJOR surgery so you’re not a hero by trying to refuse the medicine. Trust me. From personal experience, you’re going to want to actually stay ahead of the pain because once it sets in it can be hard to manage it.
Ok now that the expectations are set, let’s chat about practical mom style outfits for the hospital!
What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag
A typical hospital stay after a c section is about 3 to 4 nights. You will want to have flowy and loose fitting clothing to wear while you’re in the hospital and during the first few weeks of your c section recovery.
Maternity dresses and nightgowns are perfect to wear immediately after a c section. They don’t put any pressure on your incision and the nurses will be checking your incision several times a day so dresses make the process very easy. And if you plan on breastfeeding your baby, make sure you bring nursing friendly clothing.
A bathrobe or zip up sweatshirt will also come in handy in the hospital. Nursing or not, it’s easy to throw on over your nightgowns.
You’ll also want to think about and pack a going home outfit. You will still have a bump when you leave the hospital so a maternity dress or another type of maternity clothing works well. The comfier the better!
I actually wore the same dress home that I wore to the hospital 🙂
You can download a complete hospital checklist for mom, dad and baby here. It will include EVERYTHING I recommend packing in your hospital bag in addition to the clothes we already talked about.
Your First Week At Home
Your first week at home after a c section will be similar to those first few days in the hospital. Basically bring on ALL the comfy clothes!
If you can, have a comfy pair or two of shorts and a few tank tops (can be a nursing tank) ready at home before you even leave to go to the hospital. The shorts and tanks pair well and you can easily throw on a sweatshirt or sweater.
Keep in mind that it’s likely you won’t be getting much sleep right away so don’t worry too much about getting “dressed up”. But in my experience, I always felt good if I was somewhat put together every day. And remember that your maternity clothing is still such a great option during the first few weeks at home!
Recommended Pieces to Create Stylish + Affordable Outfits
These basics can be mixed and matched and are nursing friendly!
- Nursing Dress
- Nursing Tank Top
- Maternity Leggings
- Maternity Jean Shorts
- Maternity Regular Shorts
- Maternity Jeans
There you have it! I’m in no way a fashion blogger… but I’ve been in your shoes before wondering what to wear after a c section in the hospital and at home. I’m by no means a fashion blogger but I hope these practical tips and example outfits help you pack your hospital bag and have a sense for what to expect in and out of the hospital.
Ps. Don’t forget that most moms continue to wear their maternity clothes for a few weeks post birth! No shame or guilt in that 🙂
Related Posts: Scheduled C Section: How I Prepared for It / C Section Procedure: What to Expect / Bottle Feeding Tips for New Moms