What to Wear After a C-section

Recovering after a C-section (cesarean section) is a crucial time for new moms. Afterall, C-sections are a major abdominal surgery. While you may be busy taking care of a newborn and self-care may be an afterthought, finding the right clothes can make a huge difference in your healing process. Here’s our guide on what to wear after a C-section to help you recover comfortably so you can focus on taking care of your newborn and enjoy the newborn snuggles.

After a C-section, the incision site will be pretty painful for the first few days. Recovery itself can take up to 8 weeks or more depending on how your body heals. This recovery though could mean different for different people like the level of pain and how comfortable you’re moving around. To support your recovery, indulge in some comfortable postpartum clothes. 

The best postpartum clothes for a C-section recovery are soft, light, and breathable. For bottoms and underwear, you’ll want to opt high-waisted without any buttons, snaps, or zippers. This helps the incision heal and avoids irritating it. When choosing postpartum clothes, some things to keep in mind are:

1. Your body will change after delivery and finding the “right” size may be difficult. Choose clothing that has some stretch so it moves and keeps you comfortable. 
2. Choose flowy, boxy clothes. Tight clothes will put pressure on your C-section incision site and make it uncomfortable to move around.

Let’s dive specifically into C-section friendly clothes and what you’ll want to wear at home after a C-section.

After a C-section, your abdominal area will be tender while it heals. Your pre-maternity pants and leggings might not have the necessary support. Finding the right pants or leggings will make a huge difference in your comfort levels, avoid irritation, and make your day-to-day easier. C-section friendly pants or leggings will have the following features: 

• A high or adjustable waistband that sits above the C-section incision and avoids irritating it
• Soft, breathable fabric like organic cotton or bamboo to avoid irritating the incision
• Seamless design to avoid irritating it and reduce swelling
• The right amount of stretch so you can move around in comfort without worrying about putting too much pressure on the incision 
• Elastic free waistband to reduce the amount of pressure on the C-section incision

For C-section recovery, mamas love our Nest Bump’s Women’s Seamless Maternity Leggings and our Nest Bump Women's Maternity Pants. Both are made with soft, breathable, and moisture-wicking bamboo that can help make postpartum more comfortable. 

Rompers are a wonderful one and done outfit that makes you look effortlessly stylish. Since they’re a one piece outfit, you don’t need to worry about extra layers that might irritate the incision. We especially love rompers or jumpsuits because they’re easy to slip on and off which makes it easier to change especially during those early postpartum days. 

For breastfeeding mamas, rompers are usually designed with easy access for nursing. There are features like snap closures or kimono v-neck styles like our Bamboo Cotton Nest Bump Women's Short Sleeve Romper. When made with soft, stretchy fabrics like bamboo, which is antibacterial, breathable and moisture wicking, rompers offer comfort even on the hottest days. 

In those early postpartum days, a comfortable pair of pajamas will make a whole world of a difference - especially ones that are C-section recovery friendly. When choosing C-section friendly PJs, opt for ones with:

• Tops that are with button or snap closures or kimono-style
• Bottoms with high, adjustable waistbands 
• Soft, breathable fabrics with stretch for comfort 
• Loose and flowy fit
• Seamless or sewn with flat seams
• Nursing/breastfeeding/chestfeeding/pumping accessibility 

Our Nest Bump PJs, like these Organic Cotton Long Sleeve Women's Henley Nursing PJ Set, are made from GOTS certified organic cotton so they’re gentle on the skin, soft, and breathable. They also have easy nursing access and the bottoms are adjustable so they stay comfortable as your body continues to change. Shop our Nest Bump PJs today.

Getting the right underwear for post C-section recovery can help make you feel more comfortable and heal quicker. The best underwear like when choosing bottoms to use after a C-section has:

• A high waistband
• Soft, breathable fabric with stretch  
• Seamless design 
• Elastic free waistband 

After your delivery, you’ll have some lochia or bleeding for 2-6 weeks. Choosing a pair of underwear that you love will help you feel more comfortable and aid in your post C-section healing.

When you leave the hospital after a C-section, choose clothes that are loose and comfortable. In the early postpartum days, your C-section incision will hurt so you’ll want to avoid putting pressure on it. Your going home from the hospital after a C-section outfit may be something like this: 

• A pair of high-waisted stretchy pants or leggings like our Nest Bump Women’s Basics Crossover Maternity Leggings, our Nest Bump Women's Maternity Shorts, or our Bamboo Cotton Nest Bump Women's Maternity Pants will reach above your C-section incision site and won’t irritate it. 
• A loose wrap top like this Nest Bump Women's Nursing Top has a v-neck opening that makes nursing easier and fits loose so it won’t irritate your C-section incision.
• A loose, fitting dress that is breastfeeding/chestfeeding friendly like Nest Bump Women's Short Sleeve Nursing Dress. It’s made from soft, breathable bamboo and can be layered on colder days.

A C-section pooch or a postpartum abdominal shelf is a common concern for C-section mamas especially once they’ve recovered. Finding the right clothes - especially pants can enhance your comfort and confidence. For a c-section abdominal shelf, high-waisted pants are more flattering. You can opt for a pair of high-waisted leggings like our super soft Tanboocel Women's Basics Leggings or our French Terry Women's Basics Joggers. As your baby grows and your postpartum journey continues, your body will continue to change as well. Finding clothes that make you feel and look good will make a difference in your postpartum journey.

The postpartum period is a delicate time where you need to ease into your role of motherhood. Finding the right clothes in this period can make a huge difference in your postpartum recovery. C-section friendly clothes like pants, leggings, PJs, dresses, and rompers/jumpsuits should be comfortable and practical. These will offer the right support, give you easy access for nursing, and are flowy and relaxed. By choosing the right clothes, your C-section recovery will be smoother and more comfortable. 

Our Nest Bump collection is designed to grow and change with you during your pregnancy and are C-section recovery friendly. Shop our Nest Bump collection today.