It all started with an experience many women share—but few speak about: “I was sitting there after my C-section, wearing one of those mesh hospital panties, a giant pad, a cold pack and a plastic liner – it felt anything but dignified and was also very painful,” recalls Julia Steinbach. In that moment, she realized: something’s missing. No—everything was missing. Comfort. Function. Design. And above all: visibility.
What began as a personal postpartum disaster became a business idea. Together with midwife Daniela Westberg-Heuer, she founded Kaiserschlüpfer—a start-up determined to revolutionize the underwear aisle.
“Women’s bodies are medically treated after birth—but rarely cared for,” says Steinbach.
Medical meets design meets female rage
The Kaiserschlüpfer (literally “C-section panties”) is not a gimmick—it’s a functional slip with an integrated pocket for heat or cold packs. It supports healing after a C-section by relieving pressure on the scar and soothing pain with cooling pads. And it brings attention to where it’s long overdue: the female pelvis.
In 2018, the founders pitched their idea on the German version of “Shark Tank” (Die Höhle der Löwen). They didn’t get a deal—but they did get a fanbase. Women rejoiced, midwives exhaled. Today, Kaiserschlüpfer is sold online, in pharmacies, and across Europe.
Female health meets female business
The product range has since expanded to cover menstruation, post-op recovery, and endometriosis. They are developed in collaboration with midwives and inspired by customers. —made in Europe, designed in Hamburg. The team? Mostly women. Many with personal experiences of what real recovery needs.
“We make products for body parts no one talks about—but should,” says Steinbach.
And that’s what they do. Loudly. Confidently. With humor and purpose—on social media, panels, podcasts. Because Kaiserschlüpfer is more than a product. It’s a movement: against shame, for body awareness, and for a future of female healthcare that goes beyond band-aids and silence.
Bottom line: More dignity in every slip
Whether after childbirth, surgery or a brutal period: Kaiserschlüpfer proves that women’s health is not niche—it’s the new mainstream. Daniela and Julia are leading a new care economy, one that centers dignity, empathy and visibility—right where it’s most often ignored.
🩺 Postpartum – Europe’s Invisible Healthcare Gap
🇩🇪 Germany
- 🩸 80% of women report pain or complications postpartum
- 🚼 30% of births via C-section – but little targeted recovery care
- 🧑⚕️ Only 1 in 5 women gets continuous midwife support after birth
🇫🇷 France
- 💭 16.7% of mothers suffer postpartum depression – suicide is a leading cause of maternal death
- ✂️ 21.4% C-section rate, but minimal follow-up care
- 🧑⚕️ 39% of births are attended by midwives—better than before, but still insufficient
🇪🇺 Europe
- 🧠 1 in 4 women faces mental health issues during or after pregnancy
- 💬 Care quality varies drastically—from 🇸🇪 Sweden (gold standard) to 🇬🇧 the UK (critical shortages)
- 🩺 WHO: Most maternal complications are preventable with timely care
📢 Conclusion:
Postpartum care isn’t optional. It’s healthcare. And Europe still has a long way to go.
Feel like an empress – with comfort underwear that “supports” you
Knickers? Yes, we say the word deliberately! Because let’s be honest – we all wear them, but very few of us talk about them. But the right underwear can do so much more than just “be underneath”! Kaiserschlüpfer makes your life more comfortable, whether after a caesarean section, during your period, or simply for that everyday feel-good factor.
About Kaiserschlüpfer
Kaiserschlüpfer is a German brand founded by Julia Steinbach, a mother who experienced a C-section, and Daniela Westberg-Heuer, an experienced midwife. Together, they developed innovative postpartum underwear designed to support and cool the abdominal area after childbirth. Their products feature integrated pockets for reusable gel pads, providing relief and comfort during recovery. Made in Europe with high-quality materials, Kaiserschlüpfer aims to enhance women’s well-being during the postpartum period.
