Mumsnet Talk

I feel a little stupid posting this question, but I'm appalled at all of the 'birthing gowns' for sale and their ridiculously high prices. I would rather just wear a normal cotton hospital gown that can be changed as many times as need be and then slip into my comfy gown after I've given birth & cleaned up. Did your Midwife Led Unit provide said gowns?

(*my own comfy gown from home)

I just bought my own cheap nighties or xxl mens tshirts. Much more comfortable and they are only a few quid so I didn't mind chucking them away.

Birthing gowns? I've never heard of such a thing. I wore a T-shirt and sweatpants until I had to take the sweatpants off, then a theatre gown because I was taken through to theatre for a forceps delivery.

What is a birthing gown!?! Everyone I know wore whatever they liked unless going into theatre then they give you a hospital gown....

Xpost - sounds like another way to get money out of unsuspecting pregnant women!!!

Definitely a way to weedle more money out of us. can't you just wear an old tshirt or shirt of DP's then change into a 'normal' nightie when done and dusted?

I haven't decided what to wear yet, but do want something which buttons down quite far, so that I can have some skin to skin without having to completely strip off. But don't think that has to be anythign more sophisticated than a large shirt or buttoned t-shirt (in a dark colour!).

Exactly my thoughts - a 'birthing gown' is a horrid way to extract money from first time mums. I only came across them when I was looking online for a nice nighty for breast feeding.

I assumed that for labour I could just wear my own normal maternity clothes into the hospital and then they would provide a regular, super-soft-from-being-washed-5,000-times, hospital gown to change into. I don't particularly want to wear my own clothes for the bloody mess of it and I'm sure I'll end up starkers anyway (so a hospital gown would be easiest to rip off!)

But no one that I've talked to in RL has been given a hospital gown. Which I find very odd. Isn't that what they're for?

Note - I was never intending to purchase a 'birthing gown', but it triggered some RL conversation because I thought the idea of it was so absurd. Hence, discovering that my friends weren't given hospital gowns.

Sometimes the MWs will give you scrubs to wear if you haven't got anything suitable, but you are expected to bring something yourself.

Also, the reason I decided that I wanted to wear a hospital gown is because I've been trawling all the cheap stores (M&S, Primark, H&M, Debenhams, charity shops, etc.) for an inexpensive nighty that I could wear during birth and toss afterwards. But no one seems to sell anything that buttons down far enough for post birth skin-to-skin. And of the one I did find that might've worked, it was white and inevitably floral printed.

Hospital gown is therefore the way to go. (And afterwards I can slip into my amazingly comfortable Seraphina bamboo breast-feeding lounge pjs!)

Thanks TeWi - I'm foreign and I suppose it's just handled differently in the UK. I just assumed the hospital or MLU would provide a hospital gown!

I wore a Primary nighty about 2 sizes above my normal one. It did the job and came through remarkably unscathed, so much so that I've been wearing it on and off for the last 6 years and am contemplating using it for dc2's birth in a couple of months!

<skinflint>

Primark

I was given a hospital gown. I think it was because I was having an epidural so easier access to my spine. But in sure if you ask for one it won't be a problem.

I got a hospital gown. Twice

They just gave me one near the end of labour. Not sure why. I have all of my lovely post birth photos wearing an attractive gown stamped with 'nhs property'.

Now that I think about it I have no recollection of putting the gown on either time.

I thought Primark would be my friend in that way, sleepy, but none of the options they're currently serving up would be in any way suitable for skin-to-skin. In fact, most of what they're selling at the moment are (tiny, even the largest size) vests and pj bottoms.

I did find a pack of gigantic black knickers for super cheap, though!

(Can you all tell that I'm on cervix watch and bored out of my mind waiting for this baby to arrive???!)

@ NHS property

Thanks for your responses, everyone. (And for keeping me company!) When we arrive at the hospital, I'll ask for a gown. If they cannot provide one then I'll just do it nekkid.

The whole concept of them annoyed hell out of me too, and the cost.
I agree wholeheartedly with an oversized Primark (preferably black / dark blue) nightie, I got one that buttoned (given size of it) practically down to my waist so fine for skin to skin. Though now am thinking in my mind I was still in hospital gown for most of the time.
Yep and avoid paper knickers, luckily had had that tip many a time from friends, again, large (black) granny pants are your best friend.
Ahh just seen your post, primark not got any at moment - umm, tesco's / asda ? somewhere must have a big nightie

You'll be lucky to get a hospital gown!

With DC3 I rushed into hospital without a labour bag (she came early and I hadn't packed one yet) - I just managed to grab a few items before rushing out of the door.

Post-labour, I discovered I'd only brought pyjama bottoms and no top. The clothes I'd come in were irretrievably bloody/sweaty. They didn't let me have ANYTHING to wear! I had to pretty much beg them to even let me have borrow a suit for my baby.

I had to wear a sweaty, gaping one-button cardie to preserve some sort of decency until visiting hours the next day (in the AFTERNOON) when DH could bring me something to wear.

Yikes bedhopper - that's terrible!

Tesco's doesn't have anything at the moment, Happy but I haven't tried ASDA, yet - good suggestion!

If I can be bothered to make the journey I might also try TK Maxx again, since their stock shifts on a regular basis.

In reserve, what about a man's button-up shirt?

With DD I wore scrubs because I forgot to take anything, and with DS I wore a shirt. They were both equally comfy!

I wore a plain black slightly saucy nightie that I'd had for some time. It's ready for its second airing anytime soon. In the first pics you can see it as a black bit of fabric across my stomach as all other flesh is exposed...
When it came to skin-to-skin/ first breastfeed, I obviously felt everyone in the room had seen it all before and just pulled the whole thing down, no tasteful unbuttoning for me

I just assumed that I'd be given a hospital gown the same as for DD's 1&2. 40weeks pg so theres no way I'm venturing to the shops now. One of DH's old T's will have to do. Off to re-pack my hospital bag...

just one of my own nightdresses . a cheap one so you can bin it. never would like a hospital gown good luck