Also known as the “fourth trimester,” the postpartum period is an incredibly challenging time for people who give birth. Up until recently, that challenge included finding appropriate underwear. With that neglected need in mind, friends and thirty-something new mothers Aubrey Howard, Eden Laurin, and Mia Clarke set out to create FourthWear Underwear, an undergarment with an opening for an ice or heat pack to address often “unmentionable” issues that affect postpartum bodies (and souls). “We felt compelled to start this business due to the separate and distinct traumas that the three of us faced throughout the process of childbirth and postpartum,” Howard says.
Though there are currently many other options of postpartum underwear available, none feature an opening for an ice or heat pack. Besides that, thorough consideration was given to fit and fabric; FourthWear Underwear fully covers the buttocks and has an adaptable waistline that can be lowered or raised according to the wearer’s preference. It is made with post-consumer recycled plastic, a surprisingly suitable choice: “Our fabric (and product) needed to accomplish four very important things: stretch (and recover) enough to accommodate a postpartum body, be incredibly soft and silky to the touch, have as little environmental impact as possible, and be able to securely hold an ice/heat press against the skin. We tried everything: bamboo blends, Lyocell, organic cotton, charcoal-coated fabrics, even wool! Though polyester gets a bad rap as people associate it with uncomfortable and rigid garments, the actual feel is akin to a luxury athleisure product. To top it off, recycled polyester is actually one of the most environmentally sustainable fabrics,” Howard says. The undergarment is machine washable, costs $32—the three-pack sells for $85—and comes in gray and navy blue. More items are expected to be added to the line this summer to cater to customers beyond the fourth trimester.
