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I would pack some granny panties but the hospital will probably give you some mesh panties to wear home. I wore yoga pants but I wish I brought a dress instead.

@WALLAROO: I haven't had a c-section but everything I've read said it's nice to have panties that hit above the incision. I inspected the selection at Target the other day (just in case!) and they have a lot of options (ya know like the multi-packs made by Hanes/Fruit of the Loom).

I ended up with an unplanned csection...fortunately I had enough packed for myself but not enough stuff for my husband for the 4 day stay.

I had my baby in November and just wore my maternity leggings and maternity sweater for my going home outfit...not glamorous but warm for the winter and comfy. I felt great after my csection but I was definitely swollen from all the fluids (I had to have antibiotics due to the fever I spiked during labor). My feet were the most swollen even though I barely had any swelling during pregnancy - so pack your comfiest shoes that are easy to put on.

You will have lots of air in your body from the csection so the nurses advised me to drink warm fluids (so pack your favorite tea) and also to take slow walks around the floor to work the air out and prevent painful gas - so pack some comfy shoes or slippers to do laps.

Also one thing I definitely plan on taking with me next time is my pump. I don't know if other csection mamas experienced this but it took forever for my milk to come in and I wish I had started pumping earlier to help my milk come in. My other friend who had a csection said it took about a week for her milk to come in too.

You definitely want undies that go above your incision!! And to keep the pad in there. Also, I would take a couple extra pillows. Our hospital was in a baby boom and short in pillows and it would have been nice to have a couple extra to rest on my stomach while breast feeding and holding LO. Also, when you sneeze, cough or laugh it hurts! Holding a pillow against your stomach softens the blow!

There's still a chance I may need a c-section, so I've spoken with my mom who had three sections. The number one thing she suggested stocking up on was legit granny panties - like the ones actual grannies wear. Like these bad boys: http://www.target.com/p/hanes-women-s-6-pack-brief-assorted-solid-colors/-/A-13588130#prodSlot=medium_1_7&term=hanes%20briefs. Your incision will be along your pubic area, so underwear that come almost to your belly button will be the most comfortable. I wouldn't worry much about looking/feeling sexy at that point!

Also, I got a long-sleeve maxi dress that I'm wearing home. I knew regardless of c-section or vag, I wouldn't want anything pressing against my bits. I'm going to pair it with a long sweater & a pair of ballet flats. I bought this one in black: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Maternity-Knit-Surplice-Maxi-Dress/21282206. It's obviously very cheaply made (only $8!), but that's why I went with that one - only a month left of pregnancy! Whooo!

You definitely need high waisted panties...I had an unplanned c-section and 7 months later I still can't wear anything that feels too tight on incision.
My recommendation is also:
--comfy loose pajamas
--slippers because putting and removing socks is impossible
--loofah because u cannot bend over so it at least helps spread soap around body without much effort
--clothes for whomever will accompany you during hospital stay. DH was with me during our 6 day long hospital stay (failed induction then c-section) and he only took 3 days worth of clothes. DD was placed in our room the remaining 4 days we were at hospital, and since I couldn't move I depended on DH to do everything for me & DD. This meant he couldn't leave home for extra clothes or toiletries. TMI...he only took 3 days worth of clothing which he solely regretted

Another vote for full on granny's. I ended up wearing the mesh panties while in the hospital and then my pregnancy undies for a while when I was home. My incision was definitely sore for a few weeks and I wouldn't want anything near it.

While in the hospital I think I stayed in my PJ's for the first day and a half, and then I ended up changing into crop yoga pants and a preggo v-neck t-shirt after that. I got so many comments from people about wearing clothes. The nurses seemed so impressed. lol. Showering and getting dressed was tough, but it helped me feel so much better. I went home in a similar outfit. I also agree about flip flops or slippers. There was no way I was getting anything other than slip on shoes on my feet! Not only could I not bend over, but the swelling was AWFUL. Way worse than while I was pregnant and I swelled a TON.

That being said, the scheduled c-section was a breeze.

Agree with everyone on the ole granny panties. The ones my hospital gave me were actually pretty nice so I wore those, but I brought my own just in case.

Also make sure you wear the belly band they give you, and if they don't give you one; pick one up! It helps so much with pain and keeping everything packed in tight. Once you have that band on, yoga pants are fine to wear. I wore short dresses and yoga pants or long tanks and yoga pants while at the hospital.

I purchased 2 of these to wear at the hospital and they were perfect. I could wear them all day, in front of visitors and nurse easily. Mine were a little different, but the nursing gown/matching robe were great.

http://www.motherhood.com/Product.asp?Product_Id=94248120150&MasterCategory_Id=MC16