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Alicia Betz Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
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The best postpartum underwear does two main things: It keeps you comfortable and it helps prevent leaks. “Postpartum underwear that is high wasted with some support and stretch is preferable,” says Ellen Smead, certified nurse-midwife at Pediatrix Medical Group in Atlanta. As a mom of three who has had two c-sections, I can confirm that high-waisted, stretchy underwear is essential. Our top pick, the Bodily All-In Panty is a stretchy high-waisted pick that’s available in sizes small to 3X.
When you’re shopping for postpartum underwear, look for something that’s tight enough to hold everything in while also being stretchy enough to help you feel comfortable as your body adjusts and heals. Smead recommends a combination of disposable and cotton washable underwear. Most women will wear postpartum underwear for up to six weeks, or until postpartum bleeding, which is called lochia, ends.
Most hospitals provide a few pairs of mesh postpartum underwear, but many people feel more comfortable using their own underwear or stock up on more. Whether you’re looking for something cheap and disposable, like the Frida Mom Women’s Boyshort Cut Postpartum Underwear or you want something a bit more stylish like the Kindred Bravely High-Waisted Postpartum Recovery Panties, we pulled together a list of the best.
- Best Postpartum Underwear Overall: Bodily The All-In Panty
- Best Disposable Postpartum Underwear: Frida Mom Women’s Boyshort Cut Postpartum Underwear
- Best Mesh Postpartum Underwear: Junfan Mesh Underwear
- Best Postpartum C-section Underwear: Upspring C-Panty C-Section Recovery Underwear
- Best Plus Size Postpartum Underwear: Nyssa Fourthwear Postpartum Recovery Underwear
- Best Absorbent Postpartum Underwear: Thinx Cotton Hi-Waist Underwear
- Best Budget Postpartum Underwear: Fruit of the Loom Women's Eversoft Cotton Underwear
- Best Postpartum Underwear For Incontinence: Amazon Basics Incontinence & Postpartum Underwear
- Best Stylish Postpartum Underwear: Kindred Bravely High-Waisted Postpartum Recovery Panties
Best Postpartum Underwear Overall
Stretchy Fabric And Inclusive Sizes
The Bodily All-In Panty has just about everything you need from postpartum underwear: it’s high-waisted, stretchy and supportive. It’s also available in a variety of colors (clay, ember, black and grey) and sizes (small to 3X). The inclusive sizes and various color options ensure there is something for virtually everyone. You can wear this underwear immediately postpartum, but some people might feel more comfortable transitioning to it after the first week or so when their bleeding starts to lighten up a bit. It’s designed to have wide leg openings to make it easy to get on and off. If you’re looking for something that can take you right from birth to months or even years postpartum, this is an excellent pick.
Best Disposable Postpartum Underwear
This Disposable Underwear Is Less Than $2 Per Pair
Especially in those very first postpartum days, disposable underwear is a favorite for many moms. Instead of worrying about stains, leaks and laundry, you can simply toss your underwear at the end of the day. The Frida Mom Disposable Underwear is not made of mesh, instead, it’s a combination of microfiber and spandex. The stretchy and comfortable fabric in this pick is seamless and breathable. Smead has noticed that a lot of women prefer disposable boy short underwear. The high-waisted boy short cut can help keep pads and ice packs in place, which is key during those first few days and weeks. The price comes out to less than $2 per pair. It’s available in two sizes: petite and regular. Think of this underwear as a better version of the disposable hospital underwear.
Best Mesh Postpartum Underwear
Similar To The Hospital Postpartum Underwear
If you’re looking for the same type of underwear that the hospital gives out, this seamless mesh underwear is it. Even though they’re disposable, you can still wash them five to ten times to get more life out of them, which can help save some money. The elastic mesh is made of polyester and spandex, and it’s very stretchy and breathable. They’re available in a wide range of sizes, from small/medium to 4X. They cost around $2.50 to $4 per pair, depending on which pack you buy. Like other boy short options, they’re ideal for the early postpartum days when you have a lot of bleeding and need them to help keep pads and other postpartum recovery items snug.
Best Postpartum C-Section Underwear
Designed To Help Your Incision Heal And Reduce The Appearance Of Your Scar
It can be difficult to find comfortable underwear that doesn’t irritate your incision after a c-section. After my c-sections, I found that a lot of my regular underwear rubbed right at the incision and later the scar, so it took a lot of trial and error to find something that worked. The Upspring C-Panty is designed to not irritate the incision, and help support healing and scar appearance. It’s high-waisted underwear that provides upward compression to push fluids away from the incision. It also has a silicone panel that can improve the appearance of your scar, according to the manufacturer. You will need to hand wash this underwear, so this might not be the right pick for you if you’re not ready to add that to your plate. It’s available in nude and black and sizes small/medium to 1X/2X.
Best Plus Size Postpartum Underwear
Includes A Pocket For Soothing Hot Or Cold Packs
Available in sizes XXS to 3X, there is a pair of Nyssa Fourthwear underwear for just about every body. Beyond the size inclusivity, what makes this underwear really stand out is the elongated pocket that holds hot or cold packs to soothe whatever ails you, whether it’s a c-section incision or a perineal tear. The underwear is seamless and made of 85% recycled polyester and 15% spandex. It’s high waisted and stretchy, making it comfortable for recovery. It’s definitely a pricer item, but worth it for the comfort it can provide postpartum.
Best Absorbent Postpartum Underwear
Period Underwear That Works Great Postpartum, Too
MOST POPULAR
Thinx Cotton Hi-Waist Underwear
Wearing absorbent underwear can make your life easier postpartum. Recommended by ob-gyn Dr. Sameena Rahman, Thinx products are designed to be used without a pad or panty liner. This cotton high-waist Thinx underwear is super absorbent and can hold an impressive amount of liquid, according to tests conducted by a Vetted editor. It’s available in rhubarb, black and heather gray. It also comes in a wide range of sizes from extra small to 4X. This cotton underwear fits snugly, and it’s not quite as stretchy as underwear that is specifically designed for postpartum, so you may not want to wear this in the first week or two after giving birth. If you order your true size, you can continue to wear this underwear when your period returns.
Thinx did settled a lawsuit regarding misleading marketing claims related to the presence of chemicals called PFAS in their products early last year. The company maintains that its products are not made with PFAS, and has taken additional steps to avoid contamination. Because Thinx products now meet more stringent Oeko-Tex standards, we feel comfortable recommending this underwear. If you prefer an alternative, consider the period collection from Tomboy X, which is also certified free of PFAS by third-party testing, has many styles suitable for postpartum bodies and impressed our testers.
Best Budget Postpartum Underwear
Basic Underwear To Stock Up On
Fruit Of The Loom Eversoft Cotton Underwear (6 Pack)
If you’re looking for budget-friendly underwear that you’ll only need for a short time, check out the Fruit Of The Loom Women's Eversoft Cotton Brief Underwear. Depending on which style you choose, you can get these for about $1 per pair. Even though they’re not considered disposable underwear, it won’t be a huge loss if you need to throw out a pair or two if you have a major leak or get stretched out. They come in a variety of colors and styles; we recommend the brief and hi cut brief for postpartum. Sizes range from 5 to 14 plus. Most of the underwear is made of 100% cotton, which is the material Smead recommends for washable underwear. Some styles are 50% cotton and 50% polyester. Because this is regular underwear, you can continue to wear it for years postpartum as well.
Best Postpartum Underwear For Incontinence
Maximum Absorbency So You Can Feel Confident
Unfortunately, incontinence can be a problem for many women postpartum. Wearing incontinence underwear can help you feel confident without worrying about leaks. This underwear is designed for maximum absorbency to prevent any embarrassing situations. They’re available in sizes small to 2X, and they’re disposable. Depending on which size you need, they can be as cheap as $0.42 per pair. The underwear has a cotton top sheet for comfort and built-in odor guard, so nobody will guess you’re wearing incontinence underwear. They can provide protection for up to 8 hours.
Best Stylish Postpartum Underwear
The Lace Waistband Is Both Stylish And Comfortable
Kindred Bravely High-Waisted Postpartum Recovery Panties (5 Pack)
Postpartum underwear doesn’t have to be boring. Kindred Bravely’s High-Waisted Postpartum Recovery Panties are available in dusty hues or assorted neutrals, and they feature a lace waist. They’re still stretchy and moderately high rise, so you don’t have to sacrifice comfort to start feeling like yourself again. They’re made of 95% rayon and 5% spandex and are available in sizes small to 2X. For women who have a vagin*l delivery, these are a good option to use within the first days and weeks postpartum. Women who have a c-section might want to wait until they heal a bit, depending on where the underwear hits in relation to their incision. They come in a pack of five, which makes it easier to keep clean pairs on hand.
MORE FROMFORBES VETTED
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Here at Forbes Vetted, we deeply research every product we recommend and have tested hundreds of kid’s and parenting items to make sure our picks are the very best. The author of this article, Alicia Betz, is a mom herself and product tester, as well as a former teacher who has written extensively about parenting and children.
We also monitor industry news and government website for recalls and safety concerns, and consult with health experts. For this article, we interviewed both a midwife and a board certified ob-gyn to learn about the safest and healthiest options for your postpartum recovery.
How We Chose The Best Postpartum Underwear
To find the best postpartum underwear, I relied on my experience postpartum, my conversations with other moms and thorough research. I also spoke to Ellen Smead, certified nurse-midwife at Pediatrix Medical Group in Atlanta and Dr. Sameena Rahman, M.D., F.A.C.O.G, NCMP, IF to learn more about what women should look for in a pair of postpartum underwear.
I prioritized underwear that is stretchy and high waisted. I also looked for options that provided enough support to not sag with the weight of pads and ice packs. While I included some pricer options, I also prioritized underwear that is budget friendly, because many people will only wear their postpartum underwear for a few weeks to months, and they don’t want to worry about throwing away an expensive pair of underwear due to leaking and stains or because the underwear no longer fits their changing body.
If you’re looking for other postpartum support, check out our guide to the best nursing bras, best nursing clothes and tops and the best postpartum belly wraps.
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Paper Mart
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