I wore the Bridget Jones type... very comfy.

As for pads, I highly recommend you take your own. I have discovered that the Poise pads, which are designed for incontinence, are MUCH better than maternity pads. They are thinner and heaps more comfortable but absorb heaps of fluid if your lochia is heavy. I can't remember what absorbency I used, maybe 'regular'?? They are also designed to absorb odour so no manky smell...