First time mom here! Just a quick suggestion based on my personal experience... The hospital mesh underwear are AWESOME so get a few extra! I wish I had known before I left, and/or that I had thought to look online for more while I was healing...

Before you leave the hospital, if you've had a c-section (i don't know if the same applies for vaginal birth) see if you can get a few extra of the mesh hospital underwear... (or I guess just buy some online!!!- which didn't occur to me at the time) please note: I *have* read on a couple forums that depending on the hospital -though it wasn't the case for me- apparently some charge you or your insurance for every single thing you use so keep that in mind as well...

I had to have an emergency c-section, and the hospital mesh undies were an absolute necessity for me after the procedure.

None of my own underwear fit comfortably -avoiding the incision as it healed, and afterward while it was still sensitive- not even the ones I bought larger for this purpose which i previously considered my "granny panties"...

These mesh underwear are super thin, breathable, comfy, and stretchy enough to go completely above the incision -up above my belly button- so that they didn't rub on the incision. All while holding the massive incontinence inserts or pads in place. I asked for a few extra mesh undies before we went home and thank goodness I did, because I couldn't imagine not having had these to tide me over. Honestly I (thoroughly) washed and reused mine a several times each before throwing them out- not that I'm necessarily suggesting you should... but they seem to wash well and they dry quickly.

Anyhoo I ended up wearing mesh undies until way after I went home, as I still had a lot of sensitivity at the incision, as well as below my belly button where I had a lot of external bruising (and later some possible internal bleeding/infection under my belly button for which I ended up having to get on antibiotics for as a precaution). The bruising and infection was of course sensitive to the touch and to even the slightest pressure, so normal high waisted cotton underwear was out of the question for me. I think this happened because I was a little too active at times on account of feeling ok due to the oxy they had me on...

When they say take it easy...seriously... take it easy and if at all possible take all the help you can get. Move enough to get some circulation but not in comparison to your normal self just because you feel alright while medicated... Even after reading/being told over and over to take it easy and to ASK FOR HELP- I felt bad asking for too much help so I ended up doing too much on my own even though I was fortunate enough to have family local and on hand ready and willing to help...

It wasn't until 2 months after the c-section that I was completely healed and the pain or sensitivity was nearly gone- enough to do away with the mesh underwear. Sometimes I still do have some sensitivity at the incision on and off now at 11 weeks postpartum... But it's not enough that a little rub of regular underwear bothers me too badly...

That's all for now! Happy motherhood <3 it's all soo worth it!!!