What to Wear After a C-Section: From Underwear to Workwear (2024)
I frantically dug through my hospital bag, looking for one more outfit, hoping that I’d thrown an extra forgotten item in there.
I came up empty.
Exasperated, I grabbed the maternity skinny jeans I’d been admitted in and attempted to wrangle them on. How could jeans that were loose on me at 37 weeks pregnant, suddenly make me feel like I was trying to squeeze into my younger sister’s pants?
If you’re like me, the last thing you need after a cesarean section is to feel uncomfortable in your clothes. You’ve got to care for yourself and a new baby after major surgery. Clothes need to be easy.
That’s why I’ve put together this list of the best clothes to wear after a C-Section (from underwear to workwear). You’ll find every clothing item you’ll need for the next year of postpartum recovery on this list.
What to Wear After a C-Section – Quick Shop
- Old Navy Extra High-Waisted Vintage Straight Sweatpants
- Always Discreet Boutique Disposable Panties
- Kindred Bravely Nursing Bra (Buy on Amazon)
- Kindred Bravely Oversized Shirt (Buy on Amazon)
- Kindred Bravely Postpartum Panties (Buy on Amazon)
- Kindred Bravely French Terry (Buy on Amazon)
- Kindred Bravely Leggings (Buy on Amazon)
- Kindred Bravely Bamboo Joggers (Buy on Amazon)
- Old Navy Extra High-Waisted Jogger Sweatpants
- C9 Loose Tank
- Lululemon Open Front Sports Bra
- High-Waisted Workout Shorts
- Express Columnist High Waisted Knit Ankle Pants
- Kindred Bravely Nursing and Pumping Bra (Buy on Amazon)
What to Wear After a C-Section
Packing Items That Won’t Leave You Frustrated
At the hospital, you won’t feel your best. Comfortable clothes are essential. Your incision will be sensitive, along with your entire abdominal area (belly button and below). Opt for loose clothing and tops that provide easy access for breastfeeding.
Here are a Few Options:
- Loose or maternity dresses
- Loose pants
- Nursing options that clip down (a nursing tank with a open-front sweater is a great choice)
- Opt fordisposable pantiesinstead of mesh underwear
- A Great nursing bra (My favorite is always the Kindred Bravely nursing bra (find on Amazon). It’s especially great if you’re larger than a DD, for their “busty” option.)
Related: Packing Your C-Section Hospital Bag & The Best Hospital Pajamas After a C-Section
Staying Cozy at Home
Stay comfortable in the early days and heal from your major abdominal surgery while you’re at home with Baby.
- Nursing gowns are a great option for c-section moms. My favorite is the Kindred Bravely Oversized Shirt (find on Amazon).
- Loungewear with high or loose waistbands can work too.
- Pick up some loose-fitting tops that are easy to open up or lift so you can nurse around the clock.
- High-waisted underwear: Choose a high-waisted, comfortable pair. I love the Kindred Bravely Postpartum Panties (find on Amazon).
- Nursing Bra: The Kindred Bravely French Terry (find on Amazon) is super soft.
Other Essentials
- Belly Binder/Postpartum Girdle
- Stool Softeners
- Pain Relief (Medication, Heating Pad)
- Pads
Related: All the Items You Need Postpartum (After a C-Section)
The Essential Errands
When you leave the house for doctor’s appointments.
- Leggings (maternity or postpartum) or yoga pants
- These Kindred Bravely Leggings (find on Amazon) were a favorite of mine during pregnancy and postpartum.
- Joggers (Kindred Bravely Bamboo Joggers (find on Amazon) or Old Navy Extra High-Waisted Jogger Sweatpants)
- Loose tops that are nursing accessible*
- A nursing-accessible dress*
*Nursing-accessible: Brands like Kindred Bravely (I love this brand) and Latched Mama (I don’t love this one), make tops and dresses for nursing. But you can also wear non-nursing clothes that you can lift, open up, or pull down.
Related: The Best Pants to Wear After a C-Section
When It’s Time to Exercise
This may be later down the road, but you’ll want workout gear that doesn’t bother your incision and is nursing-accessible.
Consider This
At 6 weeks old, I laid my baby down successfully for the first time since his birth. What could I do in my free moment? There were a million things, but I chose a quick workout.
Dressed in three pull-on sports bras and a tight top, I jumped on my treadmill, eager to get back into my normal workout routine.
With just 5 minutes left, I heard crying. No! Maybe he’d settle back down.
I jumped off the treadmill one minute later to my inconsolable baby. I quickly realized there was only one thing that would help and it was under four layers of clothes.
After that, I reevaluated my workout gear.
Workout Clothes Post C-Section
- Kindred Bravely Leggings
- C9 Tank
- Lululemon Open Front Sports Bra (size up, band and cup both run small)
- High-Waisted Workout Shorts
Tackling Officewear
If returning to work after having a baby wasn’t stressful enough, you also need clothes to wear.
I’ve found a few items that are great for a business-casual environment and pumping at work.
- Pants with a stretchy waist are a good choice throughout your first year postpartum
- Tops that give you quick access for pumping. Button-down shirts or loose shirts work great.
- The Kindred Bravely Nursing and Pumping Bra (find on Amazon)
Related: Breast Pumping Tips for New Moms (including how to pump at work).
What to Avoid After a C-Section
Jeans/Structured Pants
Jeans are not a good idea after a C-section – maternity or otherwise. Any kind of button and zip pants put pressure on your lower belly. This is painful for months after a C-section. Typically around 4-6 months postpartum, you can try jeans comfortably
Note on maternity clothes: A lot of women continue to wear maternity pants after they have their babies. Unfortunately, the seam for the panel tends to rest right on your incision. Making them a non-option for C-section mamas.
Compression Garments
Avoid anything that’s advertised as compression is important to avoid even long after you feel recovered. I remember wearing a pair of compression leggings at 6 months pp. They felt fine when I put them on, but after a few hours, my entire lower belly was sore and aching. These types of items put too much pressure on those sensitive areas.
Remember it’s not just the external incision site that causes discomfort, but all of those layers that they cut through inside. You don’t want anything pressing against those tender areas.
Low Rise Pants
I once read a post that raved about low-rise jeans for postpartum. Clearly, this person had a vaginal birth. Even at 1-year postpartum, I still have some discomfort in the area around my scar, which is right where low-rise pants sit. When your C-Section scar is fresh, you won’t want anything anywhere near there.
Related: C-Section Recovery Essentials
Whether you’re preparing for your scheduled C-Section, just had an emergency C-Section, or just trying to get dressed postpartum, use this list to help you find some comfortable solutions. Because no one should have to wrangle a pair of jeans after a C-Section.
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