Do I have to buy a dressing gown for hospital? I will never use it again.

[nevergoogle]

3rd baby. Each time previously I've gone and bought a dressing gown, wore it during hospital stay then ditched it. It's just not something I use normally.

Is it essential? I can't really remember what it's purpose is.

[isambardo]

No, I didn't. I suppose if you end up in hospital for a while you could get someone to buy you one and bring it in.

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

I didn't bring one when I went in for dd1. The mw was horrified at the idea of me going between (closed off to the public) floors to the delivery suite/ward.

Made sure I had one with dd2 and never wore it, no one mentioned it. I wouldn't mind but I do a nice line in passion killer nighties when I have my children so I wasn't parading around in my skimpies

[Nocomet]

No, I got dressed in comfy maternity leggings and top as soon as possible, felt an utter idiot in night clothes infront of peoples visitors.

[Nocomet]

No, I got dressed in comfy maternity leggings and top as soon as possible, felt an utter idiot in night clothes infront of peoples visitors.

[nevergoogle]

i have nighties and cardigans packed.

is it just for the bit when you are in the surgical gown with your arse hanging out the back? (c-section)

[iloveweetos]

I have a long thin cardigan to wear. Don't wanna go with nothing just in case it's colder than I'm expecting lol

[rachyconks]

No way. I just got oversized flannel nightshirts that buttoned up the front (great for labour & delivery and easy access for skin to skin). The maternity unit was way to warm for a dressing gown (this was in November too!).

After I changed to pyjamas or leggings and a long top.

[WhispersOfWickedness]

Nah, I don't think it's necessary, I did take one but didn't use it. If necessary, could you ask for one of the hospital gowns and put it on backwards?

[nevergoogle]

i have a long cardigan, i'll pack that. thanks.

[NotCitrus]

I never had one - used an extra large T shirt when I had to stay in for 3 days. For the transfer from MLU to delivery suite they just flung a sheet over me on the trolley.

[PumpkinPie2013]

I didn't buy one. Was transferred from birth centre upstairs to labour ward and then to postnatal after my c-section.

For transfer to labour ward I wore nightdress and maternity leggings.

After the section I had a theatre gown on and was under the bedding anyway.

In the ward I again wore nightdress and leggings.

The wards were that hot I'd have melted in a dressing gown!

[KatoPotato]

I never took one and only used them as guides about my fellow new mums.

'See spotty gown over there...

And stripey, well she says...

Oh tatty teddy? She's here with number 4'

[LackaDAISYcal]

You could always wear a hospital gown backwards if they insist you need one.

[Bedsheets4knickers]

It's not essential , i ditched all my hospital clothes as everything got icky. A dressing gown did make me feel abit more dressed in the hosp so many dads visiting and family I felt I could wander about abit more dignified x

[scrivette]

I didn't have one, I just had on pyjamas and it was so warm on the ward that it would have been too hot to wear one anyway.

[elliejjtiny]

I used mine loads, made me feel less exposed and also I could put a bottle of ebm and my camera in the pocket when I shuffled down to scbu.

[amandine07]

I wore mine constantly when out of bed! There were lots of visitors on the ward, I felt much more covered up in the dressing gown than just wondering around in my nightdress!

Didn't buy one especially as I wear one every day at home (have a selection of 3!), I love dressing gowns...it just made things feel more normal wearing my own comfortable stuff rather than a hospital gown.

[amandine07]

In answer to your actual question!
No you don't have to buy one, sounds like you don't wear one normally anyhow.

[mummytime]

Okay - why would you ditch it afterwards? I have a nice thin one that I've only used for having babies, because hospitals are so hot. Its packed away (actually so well that I only have a vague idea of where), but its there incase I ever need to go into hospital again.

A long Cardi would do, but my dressing gown is easier to wash.

[nevergoogle]

i would ditch it because it would become an unused bit of clutter of which i already have plenty.

also, they kind of make me feel ill. some association with hospitals i guess.

i'm going to stick with my cardis and nighties, thanks.

[HelenHen]

I brought a dressing gown but ended up wearing my zippie hoodie the entire time! Made me feel much more human. Oh and I wore my maternity leggings for about 3 day's afterwards

[justmisshannah]

I thought I 'had to' buy one too.
Reluctantly went to Mothercare and found a thin jersey material one and I actually loved wearing it at the end of my pregnancy. After my bath in the evening as it actually fit properly and looked quite nice.
So maybe look out for a nice one.
My baby wouldn't and didn't feed after traumatic birth so the dressing gown was great while I sat for hours and hours trying skin to skin with my baby on the ward. With all the medical people in and out checking me over, saved my blushes at visiting time (with my dad being there)
And after, I passed it to my friend who had her baby a year after mine. All my maternity nighties however went on eBay because I didn't wear them- so maybe you can find a 2nd hand dressing gown there? Good luck x

[bishboschone]

Primark sell them for about £12. I bought one Nd put it on the back of my bathroom door. I use it about once a year but it's handy to have .

[mrsnec]

I've got a set from m and s. It's 2 nighties in cotton and dark grey colour. One is the normal strappy style the other is the button down the front style and they can be worn together or separately. I also have a maternity dress from lidl with nursing panels which is cotton jersey and a long cardi and maternity leggings so I'm hoping that'll do with all the other stuff I feel I need if I were to pack a dressing gown too I'd need a massive suitcase!

[mousmous]

I didn't.
was bloody hot on the ward anyway.
I wore pj bottoms under a button down night dress.