Yeah, I ended up going through numerous amounts of socks and underwear becuase of staining..Don't bring anything you wont mind really stained or as rags. I just stuck with the hospital gown as well since they opened in the back and front, the less fabric between me and the pads they put down the better. I brought a comfy nighty to wear, but i didnt put it anywhere near me for fear of ruining it.

BLACK. Black underwear (I got a size bigger to accommodate the massive pads). Black sweatpants. And just regular ol' tshirts with nursing bra's underneath. The staining is an issue, so trust me, bring black.

I did wear the gown and whatnot until my first shower. But after that shower, it felt so good to get into *my* stuff.

God I wanted to wear my own stuff.. those hospital gowns must double as burlap sacks...but i bled too heavily, even past leaving, for me to not just wear the old raggy stuff. It was pretty horrendous for me.

I wore the hospital gown most of the first day, but changed into my own sweats and tshirt after that. I was much more comfy in my own clothes and prefer pants anyhow. I brought a robe, but never used it. I found a zip up hoodie or similar was better for me. But I also felt really good and was able to be up and around (normal pain and bleeding aside, of course).

It's such an individual thing and something no one knows what they'll want until they're there. I suggest a variety of items just in case.

I like the hospital gowns and I LOVE the hospital mesh underwear. But I also bring a few pairs of my own pajamas, I prefer pants and a shirt I can lift to nurse. I don't like nursing clothes/pajamas at all.

I also agree to not go with anything new and cute that you want to keep.

Good information, I didn't even think about staining, I guess I won't be buying a special comfy outfit for the occasion.

I wore the hospital gown for most of my first day as well. However, because I was stuck with an IV for almost 36 hours after I gave birth, I didn't get to shower right away and it was REALLY nice to at least put on some real clothes. I found a pair of black cotton nursing PJs and a matching robe that were fabulous and not too expensive. They were dark so I didn't have to worry about staining. Although I'd bought a bunch of cheap Jockey undies at Target before going to the hospital, I have to agree with Greggie - the hospital mesh underwear are great and were much more comfortable for the first few days. Definitely grab some to take home with you!

Ditto on the hospital gown as well. I was really suprised how comfortable they were. On my second day, I was anticipating my coworkers stop by, so I had my husband bring my maternity jeans and some comfy empire waisted tops Iought during my pregnancy. As for undies, I bought regular black Hanes cotton briefs in one size larger than what I normally wear to accomodate my
residual belly.

For my first, I brought a CHEAP pair of black lounge/pj pants, a tank top and brought a cardigan sweater for after the birth of my son. It felt SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good to be in my own clothes. After a shower, a little mascara and my clothes, it was heaven. In fact, I even had a nurse come in and ask where the mother was because she didn't realize I was the new mom (I was sitting in a chair, not the bed in my clothes). I took that as a huge compliment for not looking like carp. ;o)

This time around, my hospital bag is packed with a dark pair of lounge/pj pants, a loose fitting long sleeve t-shirt and a zip up hoodie. I don't expect to be there more than a day, so if I need a change, I'll send the hubby home to bring a change of clothes. I pack my *ick* panties and basically plan on tossing them once I get home and the body settles down. I'm just not a "gown" person, so I stick with pants and shirts.

But, I did stay in the hospital issue burlap sack until I finally got my first shower. By that time I had slowed down a bit bleeding and felt like a had pretty control over the massive leaking. And, as for the hospital panties - I don't know, they weren't comfortable to me, I much preferred my own 100% cotton grannie panties.

i did buy a cute gown w/ robe and then i'd hike it up when i sat down. i'd pull the bed sheets over my legs. we had visitors the ENTIRE day and i was happy that i looked cute in all the pictures...for me, i did not want to wear pants. and cheap target undies were a good plan for when i got home. i loved the mesh undies the hospital had too. you can order disposable undies online, which i did as well.

Okay, don't laugh. A nurse friend of mine suggested going and buying some depends.. yep.. the good 'ol "I pee my pants" depends. I was SOOOO happy I did. That way I could wear my pretty new nursing pj's and robe and not worry about staining it, and the nurses liked that they didn't have to move me to change the padding under my bed as often.

LOL! I wish id been told about that, becuase it would have been SO much easier. I coudlnt get up when anyone was around, and it was such a bother to wear the hospital stuff. I might just pick up a pack of depends for #2

Google "wrap yoga pants." They are seriously God's gift to PP women. They are loose so they don't show the bulky pads, they come in a variety of colors (I second the black), and they are attractive enough that you could walk down to the cafeteria in them. If a nurse needs to check your pads, just untie a string and push the fabric to the side for no-getting-up-required ease.

I would've hated the Depends and not being changed as often. The thought of that all just sitting up against me makes my skin crawl.

Well to give a bit of TMI, for me it was gushing..i was hooked up to an IV getting constant blood back in, and I coudlnt go more then an hour or so without being soaked in it.. The depends would have cut down on the over flow for me. I had to change clothes 50 bajillion times on top of being dizzy and constnatly passing out. Hopefully, it wont be as traumatic next time with a better hospital/doctor, but if i end up bleeding like that.. id love that amount of coverage and it wouldnt cut down on my change time.

I can see in that situation, I'm just saying that as a rule, it would gross me out.

But keep in mind I'm also the one who wants the nurse to check on me rather than having to use the call button and doesn't want my husband or my mom spending the night because I need some alone time. *lol*

The only downside I found in PJ pants was having to have stitches etc checked pretty regularly and it would be kind of a pain having to pull them down all the time. I don't think I had bleeding issues, it was more a comfort thing in that I didn't want anything even remotely close to that part of the body for the first few days I brought a cute shirt that I just pulled on over the hospital gown when people came by - it's not like I was getting up and walking around with visitors there anyway.

LOL I didn't know that I could change out of the Hospital gown. I thought I had to stay in it, so I wore it the whole time. Then when I got home my mom finally told told me I could change out of it. I'm currently 18 weeks preggo and when I go in this time I'm definitely bringing my own clothes.

Foe me,it was much easier wearing the hospital gowns because I didn't want to ruin any of my clothes.I also brought my own black underwear and this really cute short robe that I put on when I had visitors.

This is good to know especially for us first timers.

I bought a short, black cotton robe at GapBody to wear over the hospital gowns. It was good for covering up, and didn't show stains.

I know this is all normal, but this really freaks me out! I want kids someday, but gosh! I didn't realize all this happened. It's good to know though, cause if I went in NOT knowing this, I'd freak out!

I only used the hospital gown the first day and night. After I woke up day 2 in the hospital, I was all about a shower and something cute to wear! I knew that there would be plenty of visitors so I bought 2 cute clearance night gowns from Walmart. So if they got stained no big deal, but they never did, and I actually still wear them. I did pull them up too when I was laying in bed and covered up with a blanket.

I'm 22 weeks with my second, and I like the black pants/underwear thing. This time I might go with one of those comfy black skirts. That might be easier for checks and changes!

staining was a big problem but my guy pj's and t shirt were best for me