13 Best Postpartum Underwears For Comfort and Support In 2022
Absorbent and stretchable, they offer comfort and make you worry less about stains.
vibha navarathna 
In This Article
Pregnancy can be an exciting but challenging phase. Once the baby is born, you will need postpartum underwear for optimal comfort and security. So, here’s our list of the best postpartum underwear to help you choose the right one. After childbirth, the mother has a high chance of bleeding that can last up to ten days, with light bleeding in the following month.
Due to a lack of awareness and visibility, most new mothers probably don’t know much about postpartum underwear. These underwear have a wide opening and a large cut to accommodate postpartum maxi pads, especially for those who got a C-section delivery and need the stitches to heal. Postpartum underwear will help you in your post-delivery days by making you feel comfortable, holding in the extra pregnancy weight you may have put on. After considering all the benefits, you might be wondering which one to buy. So, explore our list of high-quality, safe underwear to make an informed decision.
Top Picks
Types Of Postpartum Underwear
- Disposable postpartum underwear
These are usually made of an expandable mesh material and are generally used in hospitals right after your delivery. They wear like high-waisted shorts and are ideal for the first few days after birth when you are bleeding rather heavily and will be using thicker pads.
- Incontinence underwear
They are made of a thicker material than regular underwear and are specifically designed to absorb blood. In the initial days after giving birth, you will have to use them along with a pad, but as the flow decreases, these may be all you need.
- Postpartum C-section underwear
These underwears are gentle on your incision. The waistbands are non-binding and some may even have special panels made of smooth and soft materials like silicone at the front.
- Mesh postpartum underwear
Made of stretchable mesh, these look like boxer briefs. Like disposable postpartum underwear, they are designed to hold the larger pads you’ll be using after giving birth.
- Compression postpartum underwear
Designed to support your abdominal muscles and reduce swelling in the area, these come with adjustable compression features. Some of them come with Velcro fasteners that can be tightened or loosened depending on how much support you require.
13 Best Postpartum Underwears
1. Best Stretchable: Pokarla Women’s High Waisted Cotton Underwear
Made of 95% high-quality combed cotton and 5% spandex, this underwear is stretchable with no pilling, pinching, or tightness, reduces the appearance of a muffin top and offers superior breathability. It features a wide elastic waistband and full-back coverage with a snug fit and doesn’t roll, bunch, or ride up. Its bind-proof leg openings fit around the legs comfortably without cutting into the skin, and gives sufficient support to the abdomen for postpartum recovery. It has a double layer crotch for added protection, is preshrunk for a good fit, and can be hand washed or machine washed in a laundry bag. This video offers a more detailed explanation of the product.
2. Best High-Waisted: Ummiss Women’s Underwear
This postpartum underwear is sure to give you the perfect fit no matter what your body shape. Made of 95% combed, soft, and high-quality cotton with 5% spandex, this underwear has double-layered fabric covering the elastic waistband. The stretchable fabric ensures that there is no bunching, rolling, or compression. This high-waisted underwear offers moderate tummy support after delivery. The wide crotch of the underwear is made of 100% cotton, is easy to place pads, and offers added protection, breathability, and hygiene.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
There are more than 24,615 Amazon reviews attesting to the quality of the product and endorsing its value.
3. Best Breathable: Asimoon Women’s Underwear
Help yourself get comfortable with these classical design postpartum underwear that are made of 95% natural, breathable cotton and 5% spandex in beautiful solid colors. They feature a double-layer crotch with flat seams for maximum protection while the material is breathable, keeping your skin fresh and dry. It is also stitched with reinforced seams and a double-layer wide elastic waistband that prevents it from riding up or rolling down and also offers full coverage at the back. These machine-washable pairs are also ideal for recovery after a C-section or any abdominal surgery.
4. Best Absorbent: Annyison Women’s Underwear
Available in 5 solid colors, these postpartum underwear pairs are incredibly comfortable and stretchable with 95% cotton and 5% spandex. Machine-washable and easy to maintain, they are ideal for postpartum recovery, both after a natural birth or a caesarian delivery. The soft yet thick cotton is absorbent and comfortable against the skin and holds up well after washing. The double-layer crotch is wide enough to hold maxi pads and has flat seams for comfort.
5. Best Odorless: Solimo Disposable Women’s Protective Underwear
This pack of 20 highly-absorbent postpartum and incontinence underwear provides discreet and maximum leakage protection for all-day comfort. Dri-Fit helps to keep your skin dry and healthy by controlling moisture levels around your groin and waist areas. It features a dual-odor control system that neutralizes odors and keeps you feeling fresh throughout the day. It doesn’t contain latex and has a breathable top layer to wick away moisture. This hypoallergenic underwear features tear-away sides for easy and quick removal and offers protection for up to 8 hours, while they feel like regular underwear.
6. Best Fot: Molasus Women’s Cotton Underwear
Made of 95% combed cotton and 5% spandex, this stretchable underwear gives you full coverage with a perfect fit and doesn’t pill, pinch, or show panty lines. They can be hand washed or machine washed with a laundry bag and are made with the most advanced technology of steam pre-shrinking to ensure that the underwear will fit properly and not lose shape. It features a double layer covered 2 cm elastic waistband that sits well and there’s no rolling, bunching, or compression. It has a double layer crotch for added protection and wicking of moisture. Its bind-proof leg openings fit around the legs snugly without cutting into the skin and stay in place, so you can avoid embarrassing adjustments.
7. Best Moisture-Free: Innersy Women’s Postpartum Cotton Briefs
The perfect combination of softness, comfort, and convenience, this postpartum underwear has exquisite stitching and its high-quality stretchable cotton ensures breathability. Its high-waisted design gives full coverage to your hips and adequate support to your abdomen both after a natural birth or a caesarian section. They come in dark, solid colors and are made of 95% cotton and 5% spandex while the crotch is made of 100% cotton, so that you have breathable and moisture-free comfort all day. They are machine-washable in a laundry bag and tumble dried in low heat to maintain their shape and durability.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has received over 9,492 rave reviews on Amazon, proving it is a mass favorite.
8. Best Disposable: FridaBaby Frida Mom Disposable Postpartum Underwear
This seamless, super soft, stretchable, and breathable panty is designed to secure pads in place without compromising on comfort. The mesh-free microfiber material feels like cotton and is disposable. Made without latex, this moisture-wicking underwear offers you full coverage and there are no tags to cause skin irritation and itching. It’s available in 2 sizes — the regular size fits waists between 28 inches and 42 inches while the petite size fits waists between 23 inches and 34 inches. There’s also a high waist option that is specifically designed to give support after a caesarian section and can also hold all the layers of pads and an ice pack if required.
9. Best Stitched: Cauniss Women’s High Waist Cotton Panties
These high waist cotton soft panties are made of 95% combed cotton and 5% spandex and the elastic waistband with double cotton layers gives you great support, holds in the extra flab after delivery, and supports bandages after surgery. The waistband hugs your abdomen without being too tight and pressing at the wrong places. It features a double-layer cotton crotch that’s moisture wicking and breathable. It has well-fitting and snug leg holes with exquisite stitching that won’t leave pressure marks on your legs. They can be machine washed and have fast colors that won’t fade.
10. Best With Elastic: Misswho High-Waisted Cotton Underwear
This pack of 5 neutral-colored postpartum underwear pairs are made of 95% cotton and 5% spandex and are breathable, stretchable, and incredibly comfortable. It has a 100% cotton crotch that is moisture-wicking and prevents odor. These soft underwears are ideal for postpartum recovery and also after caesarian sections as they give adequate support to the abdomen. The waistband and leg openings have high-quality elastic that offers a good fit without cutting into the skin. Made with natural dying technology, they do not fade, pill. or lose their shape and are available in many sizes.
11. Best Lace Waistband: Kindred Bravely Postpartum Underwear
For ultimate comfort in your postpartum days, these pairs are made of 95% rayon and 5% spandex. They feature a lace waistband and 100% cotton gusset. Its practical and comfortable design sits above your caesarian section line and gives adequate support to your post-baby belly without digging into your skin. They provide full coverage and don’t come with bulky waist bands. They can be machine washed in a cold, gentle cycle, and tumble dried at a low speed. They are available in a variety of colors and in sizes ranging between S to XXL.
12. Best Fold-Over Waistband: Motherhood Maternity 2 Pack Postpartum Seamless Support Panty
This post-pregnancy underwear is made of 63% cotton, 23% nylon, and 14% spandex and it features a fold-over waistband, making it perfect for wear after delivery, especially after a C-section as it firmly supports your abdomen and bandages. It gives you full coverage and sits comfortably on the waist and around the legs without cutting into the skin or leaving uncomfortable pressure marks. As it’s seamless, it can be used under any dress for support as it doesn’t show. This postpartum underwear should be hand washed in cold water so that it maintains its elasticity and stretchability.
13. Best Eco-Friendly: Angelhood Women’s Maternity Panties
These premium postpartum underwear are designed for ultimate comfort and are made of 95% viscose fibre and 5% spandex. They are breathable, eco-friendly, absorbent, hygroscopic, soft, and highly stretchable. The inner lining of the crotch is made of 100% cotton fabric and features a fold-over belly waistband, making it ideal for your changing body. These postpartum underwear provide you with great coverage and put just the right amount of pressure to give you support. Its low rise waistline fits comfortably below your bump or incision and makes recovery from a caesarian section much easier. They can be hand washed or machine washed in cold water in a gentle cycle and can be tumble dried at a low speed.
Now that you have been through our review of the 13 best postpartum underwear, here are a few pointers to keep in mind while buying one for yourself.
What To Consider When Buying Postpartum Underwear
- Size
Don’t buy oversized underwear like your maternity clothes, as the size of your belly is going to rapidly reduce after birth and within 6 weeks, it usually goes back to its pre-pregnancy size. Ideally, it should be one size bigger than your regular underwear to accommodate the maxi pad you will be using for postpartum bleeding.
- Fabric
Cotton or microfiber is the best option as it’s breathable, absorbent, and cool. Light compression material is also used in some postpartum underwear that gives you a sucked-in feeling that some women like. If you intend to reuse it, ensure that it’s washable as most postpartum underwear are disposable.
- Compression
The compression measurement is usually mentioned on the label and ideally should be between 15 and 20 mmHg. It refers to the pressure the postpartum underwear offers to give you support. Ideally, you should opt for something that feels good when you wear it.
- Absorbency
If you’re having a lot of postpartum bleeding, cotton is the best choice, as it’s quite absorbent and reduces the chances of infections and irritations. Some underwear leaves you feeling clammy and damp, in which case you should change your option and choose one that has several layers and can both absorb and wick moisture away from your body.
- Style
This is completely dependent on your personal preference but you basically need to look for a style that gives you adequate protection and coverage. Postpartum underwear that is absorbent and breathable is very important as well as being comfortable, stretchable, and keeps you cool.
- Extra features
Some postpartum underwear come with extra features like a pocket for an ice pack or a silicone panel, which can be very soothing if you have had a caesarian section.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Vibha Navarathna specializes in writing articles related to pregnancy, babies, and nursing. In this post on the best postpartum underwear, she has compiled a list of the highest-rated underwear that will give you comfort in the postpartum period. These products have been selected based on their safety, quality, comfort levels, and user reviews. A buying guide has also been given to help you choose the right one.
Once your baby is born, you will require a lot of care and comfort until your belly returns to the pre-pregnancy size. And wearing comfortable postpartum underwear is crucial, whether you want to manage the postpartum bleeding or feel comfortable. When buying one, ensure it is breathable, comfortable, absorbent, machine-washable, and easy to maintain. You may also consider additional features such as adjustable compression and Velcro fasteners to make yourself comfortable. If you have undergone a C-section, you may zero in on underwear that is gentle on your skin too. Further, ensure the underwear you choose is made of stretchable material and features a double-layer crotch, so it holds your maxi pads.
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