How much size did you lose immediately after birth?

[Annie Mac]

I am trying to pack my hospital bag, and don't know what size pants I should put in. I have one pair of maternity pants that fit until about week 30/31 that are much too tight now (week 34 -- I know, it's early to pack my bag, but I have a feeling (a wishful feeling?) she will be early). I know I won't fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes, but how much size will I drop once I don't have a baby, a placenta and amniotic fluid taking up space?

[lyterae]

Originally Posted by Annie Mac

I am trying to pack my hospital bag, and don't know what size pants I should put in. I have one pair of maternity pants that fit until about week 30/31 that are much too tight now (week 34 -- I know, it's early to pack my bag, but I have a feeling (a wishful feeling?) she will be early). I know I won't fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes, but how much size will I drop once I don't have a baby, a placenta and amniotic fluid taking up space?

I wore my maternity overalls home. I ended up with a c-section and I was so grateful not to have anything riding against my incision. I would bring something that currently fits as well as something maybe a bit smaller, just in case. It took several weeks for my shape to start "evening" out again.

[1babysmom]

With DD1 I dropped back really quickly (like within days) but still had to wear my pants unbuttoned/unzipped because of my hips. Those take quite a bit longer to shrink back down.

[Annie Mac]

I'd love to be one of those women who get back to pre-pregnancy size lickety-split. Realistically, I can see the chances of that happening are pretty small

I'm looking at this bag, and my clothes...I guess a nightgown would be a better choice than 2 piece flannel jammies, wouldn't it?

Any other suggestions from moms who've been there? I don't expect to be there very long, but I guess you never know.

[1babysmom]

I should add that with DD2 it took MUCH longer to return to size...my body had just changed more during that pregnancy. I was wearing DH's shirts and my maternity bottoms for at least a few weeks before it was anywhere near comfortable enough to even TRY to wear my non-mat stuff!

A nightgown would probably be more comfy (even though I'm a pants kinda gal) unless the pants have a hugely adjustable waist, just because having anything snug around your waist/belly/hips might be uncomfortable.

[laohaire]

I think it runs the entire gamut between going back to prepregnancy size almost immediately, and also still looking 9 months pregnant.

My friend sent me a photo of her the day after her c-section - looking 9 months pregnant. (She did lose it all within about 6 months I think, though). There was just a lot of fluid and swelling and such.

Me, don't hate me but when I got out of the birthing tub I was pretty much the same size as prepregnancy. I was still 14 pounds heavier, but it wasn't in my belly - boobs, blood, etc. But you don't have to hate me because I never lost that 14 pounds and instead, over the next 4 years, gained another 15 and now I'm at my heaviest. Sigh.

Anyway, the point is - sweatpants and long shirt Even if you completely retain your 9 months pregnant shape, you can push the waistband below your belly and call it good. And if you drop it all, you'll still be good.

[MegBoz]

I've ALWAYS hated things even remotely snug around my belly - all my pants have to be loose. I had an awesome pair of maternity workout capris that had that belly 'panel' that came up over the belly. I wore those all the time on weekends during the end & still PP. The fabric was nice & soft, so I'd image it might even have been fine over a CS incision.

I'd rather have something too lose than too big. So I'd personally just pack big stuff.

[etsdtm99]

i wore the same size pants to the hospital as i did home..i was smaller, but they were stretchy so they just stretched smaller.. for me, after a few days i looked about how i did at 6 months - my bigger issue for fitting in clothes a few days after birth is bras and shirts as my breasts got huuuggge ..

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I wore elastic waist pants with dd both going in and coming out of the hospital and with ds I just went with jogging pants.

[TXmom2]

I'd pack a nightgown and a pair of comfy jammies, then you can see what works best.
As far as a "going home outfit" just a comfy, stretchy pair of pants and a loose shirt should work, (I still looked between 6 months pregnant for the first week or so) weather permiting, a casual dress would be the most comfortable

[Annie Mac]

Some great ideas here, thanks so much! I think I will take two pairs of pants -- one more stretchy than the other, and one of them should work. Or, if it's warm enough, a dress.

Now, for my Ipod play list Good songs to have a baby by. I have tons of Beatles on there already. It's impossible to feel worried/sad when you're listening to The Beatles. Now I guess I'll see what sort of effect they have on contractions!

[lifeguard]

I dropped almost no size. My belly was just gushier instead of hard. I packed a dress so it didn't matter.

[dannic]

I must have been naive, but with my first I was shocked that I still looked 6 ms preggo. No one ever mentioned that...
I agree with pp that it takes a bit longer with each. Everyone's different. I tend to get rid of most of it by 6 mos pp. It's taken a tad longer each time. And I don't lose it all til I quit breastfeeding.

[BaaBaa]

this might sound like a no-brainer, but you want to plan a shirt that you can nurse in while you are still learning. baby may want to eat before you even get all the way to the car, or you may need to stop on the way home. IE button down, or similar.

i also suggest drawstring stretchy lounging type pants. the first day was

[MeepyCat]

I lost weight superfast after both of my kids were born, I was back to fighting weight before maternity leave was over (heck, I was down below my pre-pregnancy weight before DD was out of the NICU), but right after they were born, I was exactly the same size I had been right before.

I strongly recommend stretchy yoga or jogging pants. The kind without drawstring waists.

[Annie Mac]

BaaBaa, great tip with the nursing shirt. I put a shirt in my bag today without even stopping to think about nursing! Of course, though, that's a great idea. And cute pictures, too, thanks for sharing

Lifeguard, I bet you that'll be me too. Gushy instead of hard. Yay.

Meepycat: why no drawstring? Uncomfortable on the belly?

[staceychev]

BaaBaa: Beautiful pictures!

Annie: I brought drawstring and I was fine.

[BetsyS]

I like to take pajama pants with me to the hospital. It makes me feel more normal than a hospital gown, and it's more covered up, too. The first time, I took some yoga pants that fit through my pregnancy. The second time, I bought some pajama pants (at Walmart, cause I knew they were short term) that were big and stretchy.

For going home, both times, I wore this great maternity skirt I have. It is knit, and it has a small waist that fits over your belly. I had c-sections, so nothing was touching the scar, and it's an expandable sort of knit that fits any size. It's my favorite piece of clothing.

[josie423]

Yoga or stretchy soft pants will work. I gained 55 lbs with my first two, so needless to say I was nowhere near ready for pre-pregnancy clothes after the births. My maternity pants worked fine, they were just looser.

[DeChRi]

My actual stomach was nearly flat within 48 hrs of each. HOWEVER, I could not get in to pre-preg clothes for 6-12 months as my hips take awhile to retreat. I would second the vote for either yoga pants, or what I do is tote my couple super favorite pairs of drawstring sweat type of pants. I found my maternity pants were too floppy, but I didn't want the tightness of yoga pants while walking out with a pillow sided pad inside my monster sized undies. I am a bit vain, I admit. But I went with my baggy draw string sweats and a hoodie.

Good luck!