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Your body is such a beautiful amazing thing and it has worked so hard to bring a new life into the world. However, it may not look or feel exactly how it did before, and that’s okay too. You will need to give yourself a little extra love and care postpartum and that includes picking the right underwear.
Whether you had a c-section or a vaginal birth, you need comfortable underwear that helps you feel your best and also that gives you support you need, when you need it.
So, when shopping for your best post-pregnancy undies, what should you look for? You want styles that don’t rub in uncomfortable places. You also want undies that give you the support you need in the right places. You may want a high-waisted style that covers your belly, for example.
Here are some things you will find in a great postpartum underwear choice:
And here are some materials that you might look for in a good underwear postpartum:
In addition to choosing the right material, you also need to choose the best style for you. Keep in mind the types of clothes you wear (e.g., you may not want super high-waisted undies if you have lots of low rise jeans. And you also may not want to wear low-rise jeans postpartum for that matter, so check out the best postpartum jeans options).
Postpartum underwear can help you at a time in your life when things get messy – literally and figuratively. You’re going to feel sore in various places, you may still be bleeding for a while and wearing pads, and you may want control in places that you didn’t need before.
Postpartum underwear is designed to specifically meet the needs that you have after giving birth.
Normal panties tend to bunch up or ride up and most women are not comfortable wearing thongs or low-cut styles right after having a baby. If you’re still bleeding, you’re also going to want something that holds your pad in place, keeps you dry and doesn’t leak.
It’s also important to have breathable material because this is what keeps you from getting an infection. Women who have recently given birth are more likely to get a UTI or vaginal infection, so choosing breathable underwear is very important.
There are different types of postpartum panties you can choose from and it’s important to pick a style that makes you feel good but also supports you the way you need. Here are some possible styles to choose from:
Whatever you choose, you need something that will keep your vaginal area dry and breathable and can give air to places that may still be healing.
Now that you know what to look for in great postpartum underwear, I want to tell you about some of my favorite styles and choices.
This is one of my favorite choices from Motherhood Maternity. They are simple, classic, and supportive. Helps hold your tummy in so you feel better and look better in your clothes post-baby.
This is THE best panty for after a C-section. They come in two color choices and varying sizes. They have a breathable fabric but also give you the support where you need it. The high waistband helps to guard the incision area.
Here’s another great C-section panty from Pea in a Pod. This has a high waist for added support and smoothing comfort, and breathable fabric. It gives moderate compression, which helps you with swelling and feels nice while you are recovering and healing.
There is no shortage of c-section underwear options from Pea in a Pod, like this one. While pricier than the one above, it gives you great support for the price. It also helps reduce swelling and odors.
This is one of my favorite postpartum compression panties. They are from Pea in a Pod and come in nude and black. It’s also a belly shaper, so you get the support and comfort you want while also having a slimming effect. You’ll be able to feel good and look great in your clothing.
These are my favorite disposables. Leave it to Always to make something great like this. They cover you completely and you can toss them after. Great for when you are still bleeding after baby. Having had two children, I can attest how handy and convenient it can be to have a disposable option, especially right after delivery when your blood flow may be higher.
Here is a great style that you can wear while pregnant and post-baby. They go “under the bump” as the name implies. If you do not like high waisted undies or anything rubbing on your belly, these may be the perfect choice. Plus, these would be great for wearing lower rise jeans and pants.
Finally, we have a great compression panty for C-section or vaginal birth mamas. They are breathable, supportive, and affordable, too. There’s no uncomfortable binding to deal with and they easily go on and slim you.
These are the best postpartum underwear out there for you to choose from. I always recommend picking what has worked well for other new moms, and I think you’ll be making a good choice with anything from this list.
Do you really need postpartum underwear? I would argue that you do. You’ll want to feel confident post-baby and being comfortable in your clothes can be a huge confidence booster.
And it helps to pick what has worked for other moms (like me!), so I hope you find at least one option you love within the best postpartum underwear list.
What do you think about the options mentioned here? Do you have any favorites that I left out? Let me know in the comments!
Postpartum depression, also known as PPD, is depression that occurs after childbirth. It’s not talked about as much as it probably should and, in some circles, it’s not talked about at all. Women are expected to “bounce back” from childbirth as quickly as possible – both physically and emotionally.
PPD is very common, however. It currently affects more than 3 million new moms in the United States alone, and these are just diagnosed cases. There are most certainly other cases of women suffering alone who have not been diagnosed.
Usually, PPD is considered a temporary situation that can be treated by a medical professional and will resolve in a few months. The problem is when women do not get properly diagnosed and they suffer in silence. They may be misdiagnosed or told it will pass. They may throw themselves into every natural remedy known without relief. Sometimes, there is just more to it, like hormonal changes that need to be diagnosed and properly treated by a medical professional.
Postpartum depression affected me following the birth of each of my children. However, even though I had experienced postpartum depression with the birth of my first child, I had no idea how bad it could truly get until I had my second child. And while I’m sure the stress of having two young children, problems with breastfeeding (again), and lack of sleep contributed to the terrible feelings I had, the hormonal shift also played a huge role.
But, I’ll get into this more later. For now, let’s talk about why diagnosing and treating PPD early is so important. For one, those who develop PPD are at a greater risk for getting major depression later on in life. It can also impact some new moms’ abilities to bond with their babies from an early age. In extreme cases, it can lead to self-harm or suicide.
This is not something that should be shrugged off. This is not something you should just “wait to pass.” It’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms of PPD in yourself and those you love so treatment can happen. Let’s take a look at the common signs, but keep in mind that it can look different in everyone.
Some of the symptoms of PPD might include insomnia, loss of appetite, intense irritability and trouble bonding with the new baby. Feeling sad often, crying for no reason, or going through a wide range of emotions in a short time are other symptoms.
Many of these are also symptoms of being a new mom, and it can be hard to tell when it has crossed the line into something more serious. New mothers are often sleeping less than usual and it’s common to be fatigued or irritable.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to 20% of new moms experience one or more symptoms of postpartum depression. These might include:
These are some of the same symptoms you will see in other types of depression — they don’t just affect new moms. However, for new moms, by the time the symptoms have escalated, they will be too deep into their depression to even recognize they need help. This is why it’s also important for those around her to be aware of the symptoms and offer support.
In the first few days and weeks after having a baby, it’s normal for a new mother to experience a lot of different emotions. You’re probably relieved to finally not be pregnant anymore. You might also be nervous about taking care of your new baby, especially if it’s your first one. You may feel a wide range of emotions that can shift quickly over a short time.
This is all normal.
However, if you have feelings of sadness that don’t go away, thoughts of harm to yourself, your baby or to someone else, if you’re unable to get out of the “funk”, and you’re experiencing a lot of the symptoms above, then you need to speak to a medical professional to see if what you’re feeling is PPD.
You may have heard people talk about “baby blues” before. This common feeling of sadness or “feeling down” that many new moms often experience is often attributed to hormonal changes after birth. This sadness will usually go away within a week or two after the birth, once your hormones have a chance to rebalance themselves.
As said above, feeling this way in the first few days, or even week or two after your new baby is born, is pretty typical. Most women feel this way because of the sudden change in hormones that happens. Your body needs time and rest to regulate itself.
But PPD is more than just the “baby blues”. It won’t just go away on its own. You don’t just need a good night’s sleep or a night out. While the “baby blues” tend to pass quickly, PPD will be long-lasting and more severe. It will begin to impact your daily routine.
So, what causes this type of depression in new moms anyway? Can anyone get it? How do you know if you’re predisposed to it? Let’s take a look at what we do know.
There are many different factors that can lead up to PPD. There is no singular direct cause. This mood disorder is typically caused by a combination of physical and emotional factors in a person’s life and some new moms are at a higher risk of developing it than others.
After childbirth, the levels of hormones in your body (estrogen and progesterone) will drop really quickly. This will lead to chemical changes in the brain that usually go away for most women, but sometimes don’t for others. If your body doesn’t regulate the hormones on its own, you can develop PPD.
If you have a history of depression, or a history of depression in your family, you could be at a higher risk for it. Some other things that can increase your risk include:
The tricky thing about PPD is that it can happen to anyone! It doesn’t mean you don’t love your child or that you didn’t want a baby. It doesn’t mean that you’re a bad mom, or that you have resentment.
New moms have so many pressures on them already, they may not realize what is happening to them, or they may be so deep into the depression at that point that they don’t realize the severity. It’s easy to get caught up in blaming yourself, or thinking that you’re “not enough,” so you don’t realize you need help.
This is not caused by something you did – or anything you DIDN’T do. I know all about the guilt PPD can cause.
As I said before, I have experienced PPD with both of my pregnancies. After my first child, I was put on a low dose of antidepressants. I was stressed, felt out of control, and couldn’t enjoy the time with my own child. But with baby #2, it was worse.
I didn’t want to leave my bed, spend time with my baby, my older child, or any family. My OBGYN was seeing me every two weeks for many months just so she could make sure I wasn’t suicidal. We kept trying different medicines, but nothing worked.
Finally, after moving on from my OBGYN to a psychologist, I started to notice changes. But in order to start on the path to wellness, I had to give up breastfeeding. Certain medicines are not safe for breastfed babies, so my doctor would only prescribe me the medicine if I promised to wean. I did wean right away, and it was gut-wrenching. I felt so selfish for choosing my own health over that of my baby. But it got easier. And in hindsight, I can see that I absolutely made the right choice but at the time, I felt awful.
You cannot be a good mother to your baby unless you take care of yourself first. This is a fact, but it’s still something that mothers struggle with. Our instincts are to put our children first, always, and it’s hard to see that caring for yourself and treating your PPD is the best way to be a good mother.
Many mothers with PPD struggle with this and it’s not talked about much. The shame and blame over the choice to bottle feed is high in many new mom circles and it can be a difficult choice for any mother to make, especially without proper support.
Once I had weaned and was able to start the new medicine, I felt better almost instantly. My doctor suggested that the lactation could have also been doing a number on my overall mental health. And I think because we had so many breastfeeding problems, I was able to finally let some of the feelings of disappointment go when I weaned.
I don’t want to suggest that any mom should give up breastfeeding if they feel it’s right for them and their baby. There are other options to get control of postpartum depression; however, for me – I was out of options. Everyone has different experiences and you know best what will work well for you and your family. I just want to say that whatever works for you, it’s okay.
It’s okay.
You are enough.
That is such an important message that every new mom needs to hear. We face so many challenges and pressures, it can be easy succumb to those pressures.
Treatment for PPD looks different for each mom suffering from it. In my case, I needed to try different medications to get the right treatment that worked for me. This required me to stop breastfeeding, since those meds could be passed on to my child. But some women are able to get results from medications that are safe for use while breastfeeding.
No one else can tell you what will work for you. We can give you info about what treatments are available, but there is no way to know what your body will respond to. This is between you and your medical team to find the right answers.
Usually, after the birth of your baby, your OBGYN or doctor will ask you a series of questions about how you feel (e.g., rate your sadness on a level of 1-10 or rate how much you feel like yourself, etc). This series of questions is often referred to as a postpartum depression screening. For me, because I saw my OBGYN so frequently following the birth of my second child, these screening sheets were helpful in detecting that I wasn’t increasing my level of happiness regardless of how many weeks or months postpartum I was. As time went on and I was able to take more effective medicines for me, my scores on these postpartum screening sheets got better. It was progress and it was certainly helpful to see how far I had come.
Some treatments for PPD include counseling, antidepressants, and hormone therapy. Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms and your personal history and health. Every person is different and can respond to PPD and the treatments of PPD differently.
If you’re trying to treat PPD or prevent it in the first place, sleep is very, very important. Most new mothers struggle to get enough sleep and then the brain doesn’t have the chance to recuperate. Your body will struggle to regulate the hormones on its own and you can develop PPD.
The best treatment for PPD is a total-body approach. Basically, a wholesome, holistic approach that includes:
You can also look into support groups (online and in person) for other mothers with PPD. It can help a lot just to talk to someone who understands what you’re going through. Realizing that this is something that lots of moms face and that you are not alone is very helpful for many moms in recovery.
For some people, PPD will eventually go away on its own. The wait-and-see approach is not recommended, however, especially since therapy and medications can make it go away faster. Also, leaving it untreated means it can get worse, and make you at risk for long-term depression. It can lead to months or even years of depression.
In some cases, even with treatment, it doesn’t completely go away.
While I felt some relief within two weeks on the medications I was given at first, I still wasn’t feeling like myself or even like everything was significantly better. So, I kept seeing my doctor. We tried a couple more medicines until I finally felt some relief. I’ve been on the same medicine for at least six months now, and I am nearly 2 1/2 years out from delivering my second child.
Because of the major challenges I have experienced since having children, I am not anticipating a time where I will either completely come off medicines or stop putting efforts into my overall mental wellness. Also, due to my experience with this horrible, unfair condition, my family and I made the difficult decision not to have any more children.
Even though our family doesn’t feel 100% complete, it would be unfair to my entire family, a new baby, and me, to ever go through this again. My children need a present mom and that’s what I strive every day to be. It’s always a process.
Some days I fail – I still have crippling anxiety on occasion. But I keep trying to better myself because my kids need me. My husband needs me. And while I resent the fact every day that before I had children, I wasn’t depressed, I do not resent my children at all. But I do wish that my postpartum depression hadn’t taken me away from them as long as it did.
If you are in any way affected by postpartum depression, I urge you to reach out for help. Having an honest conversation with your OBGYN can be helpful and you’re likely to be seeing him or her soon after your delivery. I deeply feel sad when I look back and realize how much time this condition took from me. The best thing you can do is to get help as soon as you can. This is because the sooner you feel better, the sooner you will be able to bond closely with your baby and experience the amazingness that is motherhood.
If you’re doing any independent research on the internet, you’re also going to see many recommendations for natural remedies for PPD. Some of these are good for some people. However, for people like me, natural remedies were not going to be enough on their own. It’s dangerous territory to suggest that natural remedies alone can cure PPD so I’m not going to put too much time here on them, but they can be helpful for many people when used as one PART of an overall treatment plan.
If you want to consider natural remedies, I think they can definitely add to the help you are already getting from your medical team, but always do so under the care of a professional.
Some of these things we mentioned earlier can help:
In addition to this, you can work on mindset and mindfulness. When you feel the feelings of sadness or depression taking over, use grounding techniques or mindfulness to help you center your thoughts and shift them into something more positive.
Vitamin D is also very helpful for people. Your skin makes vitamin d when exposed to sunlight. It acts like a hormone in your body and many people who are struggling with depression are also low in it vitamin d. It can be helpful to have your levels checked, but again, a vitamin alone is not going to help a serious case of PPD. Light therapy or vitamin d supplements can be an asset in your overall plan to wellness.
Other vitamins that have helped some people include Omega-3S and vitamin B12.
Aromatherapy is also helpful for many people. You can use this along with medications and therapy for optimal results. Some aromatherapy scents to consider are clary sage, orange oil, jasmine, and any other citrus blend.
At the end of the day, listen to your body and listen to your instincts. If you feel like something is not right, get help. And if your doctor is not listening, get a second opinion or a new doctor. You do not – and should not – suffer alone.
You deserve better.
Your child(ren) deserves better.
You are not alone.
Finding the best postpartum jeans can be challenging. And if you’re like me and need to participate in newborn baby photos, you’re going to want to look nice and feel confident. So, getting the perfect pair of postpartum jeans is an important task. It’s not just about appearances, either. Jeans are a classic staple to any woman’s wardrobe and being able to fit in a comfy pair of jeans after childbirth will make you feel good about yourself. You may not totally have your pre-baby body back, but you can still rock a great pair of jeans and that’s a really good feeling!
There are several options for postpartum jeans, and none of these involve you continuing to wear your maternity jeans. Even though you feel like you still look pregnant, there’s a very good chance that your maternity jeans are going to fall short of making you feel comfortable in your new body. Compression leggings and high-waist jeans are going to be your new friend, and thank goodness that high-rise options are stylish again! No low-rise jeans are ever kind to a postpartum belly. So you’ll find my favorite jeans below (I listed my absolute favorite pair first). Check them out and let me know which ones you like best.
I love these American Eagle jeans because they keep my stomach hidden. And they also give my legs some shape too. They are also ultra-stretchy so you don’t feel like you need to take them off the minute you get home from being out and about. Also, unlike some high-rise Gap jeans that I have, these do not lose shape. Which is good, because come mid-day, the Gap high-rise jeans that I had were super slouchy and made me feel awful about my body. I also have another pair of these that I got in the long length so that I could cuff them.
Honestly, I was a little intimidated by the idea of buttons and zippers after baby but these over-delivered. It’s also important to note that they hold the shape in the front AND in the back, and that they don’t ride down so you’re not having to yank them back up all day long (how annoying is that?). All in all, I think these are a major win. Now for my second choice, which is very similar.
These Express jeans are structured, look slimming (particularly in the darker colors), and can be dressed up or down. Again, they feature a high waist which is good for aesthetics and for practical reasons right after baby. Plus, I love most jeans that have stretch. And because these jeans are more structured, they won’t lose their fit as the day goes on. These are a bit thicker than other jeans which is what, in part, allows them to be more structured. They don’t slip down so you won’t have to yank them back up throughout the day. They just stay where they are supposed to, thankfully, and they are comfortable enough for all-day wear.
Depending on how much of your postpartum stomach you are trying to hide, you could also try mid-rise options, but the ones above are the tried-and-true pairs that I wear to this very day. Now, let’s look at some other really popular options for new moms.
If you’re not quite comfortable wearing regular jeans, but your maternity jeans are falling off, a good in-between option is Bounceback jeans. They have a lot of different styles and they are very affordable, too. These jeans have a compression waistband that holds you in. Also, they are high waisted, which is more flattering too. I wore these jeans almost exclusively when I returned back to work. They are super comfortable and give you support where you need it and flex where you need it, too. They also come in super cute styles so you can still look fun and fresh in your favorite jeans.
And, if you don’t find that cropped jeans are your thing, here’s the full-length version of the bounceback jean. These are honestly some of my favorites because they are so comfortable, the fit is great, and they are stretchy where they need to be while still holding things in where you want them to. It’s easy to see why these are a new mom’s favorite!
Okay, so these are actually maternity jeans but many moms keep wearing maternity pants for quite some time postpartum. I decided to throw at least one pair in here for that reason. And the underbelly style works well for some new moms. It depends a lot on your shape and size, and how you like your pants to fit, but it’s worth a try. The underbelly band gives you a bit of added support post-baby, and it’s great for when you still have some bloat or swelling. I couldn’t stand anything to snap or zip around my belly for a few weeks after, so these were a lifesaver. Depending on your body and the size and shape you’re still at, the underbelly style may not work for you. Again, some women find them supportive and some find a high-waist option to be preferred.
Here’s another pair of Bounceback postpartum jeans and they are so comfortable. They are similar in style to the Express jeans but I find these give more support because they have a high belly band. It can really help you hold everything in place so you look good and feel better, too. These jeans give you a classic “mom jean” style and can be paired with anything from ordinary t-shirts to fancier shirts or sweaters. The name comes from the V-shaped design on the back pockets. They are supportive, comfortable, and have the patented “power mesh belly” that all Bounceback pants come with.
Now, let’s take a look at the other staple of a new mom’s wardrobe: compression leggings!
Compression leggings are comfortable, easy to get on and off, and when you get the right pair, you can hide your post-baby belly. Compression postpartum leggings are often very affordable — even more affordable than some of the other jean and jegging options I mentioned earlier.
High-rise compression leggings are a close friend of mine, and my favorite ones are from Old Navy. Compression leggings are nice because they allow you to hide your stomach area in a flattering way. These leggings are also incredibly stretchy, which is perfect for a changing body.
I prefer my compression leggings to come in black as I’m usually in a rush to leave the house. Black is an easy color to match any top with, and it’s also slimming. Honestly, I have several in the same style and color because they go with everything and they are so comfortable to wear.
A great pair of leggings goes a long way, and the perfect little black leggins are like a new mama version of the Little Black Dress. It’s a staple in your postpartum wardrobe. I really love these from Bounceback.
Similar to Bounceback jeans, these leggings have a compression mesh waist that holds in your postpartum belly. These leggings are very soft, and I found these especially handy when I was returning to work. Trying to squeeze into anything with a real waistband was awful, so I’m glad the Bounceback line was available to me.
Another brand that I absolutely love is A Pea in the Pod. They have these fabulous post-pregnancy leggings that I found very comfortable as well. They are a classic, basic fit that works for all body types, are super comfortable even immediately after delivery and these pants go with any outfit. You’ll find you want to wear them all the time. They are high-waisted so they hold in your belly and give you the support you want. They are durable, so they don’t fall apart after a couple of washes. And did I mention they have pockets? It’s a win-win all the way around!
When you need to dress it up a notch or feel really sexy post-baby, these faux leather leggings from BOUNCEBACK are the perfect fit! You can wear them with a regular tee or a dressier top. You can wear them with heels or flats, and you can dress them up or down. They work for a night on the town, a post-baby date night, or anywhere else you want to look and feel great. I know how hard it is to find nice pants to wear post-baby. You may feel insecure that you don’t have your old body back, and these are a great, affordable, comfortable choice that blends all of the things you need and want. They’re also machine-washable so easy to care for.
So, there are my top picks for postpartum pants. What are your favorite postpartum jeans and postpartum legging options? Are there some you’ve tried that you just want to wear all the time? Any you’ve tried that you would NOT recommend to other mamas? Let us know in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!