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Pregnancy

What to wear in labour?

57 replies

KMoKMo · 15/12/2017 19:04

Can anyone help me with what’s best to wear in labour.
The way I feel at the moment is that I’ll probably just want to be naked but that’s not going to be a pretty sight!
What would be best to get that doesn’t feel like you’re constricted with clothing but still provides some coverage?
My first was an emergency section so I didn’t have to consider it.
Thanks

OP posts:
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FellOutOfBed2wice · 15/12/2017 19:07

I had nighties with both and ended up naked with both. First one in particular you couldn’t keep clothes on me at the end- I was VERY insistent that I wanted to be as Mother Nature intended Grin

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MrSlant · 15/12/2017 19:08

Nice big sarong, can be tied a few ways, and provides easy access for health professionals. You can start with vest top, baggy shirt or whatever else you are comfy in as a top then layer up/down as needed. That's pretty much my only tip for having a baby but it's a good one!

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Wait4nothing · 15/12/2017 19:09

I packed a nighty and ended up in a vest top.

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FreeNiki · 15/12/2017 19:10

My friend said she needed a bra top on even when naked as her breasts were heavy and uncomfortable.

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mindutopia · 15/12/2017 19:10

I had a home birth with my first, but I wore a swimsuit cover up, so basically a sleeveless loose cotton dress. I took it off and was just in a bra when pushing. I'll wear something similar this time around as well.

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BigBaboonBum · 15/12/2017 19:12

An open fronted nighty ideally (although prepare to end up naked). Although I advise you buy closer to the end... I made the mistake (twice) of trying to predict my size at birth at about 25 weeks and both times had to rebuy items about 3 sizes bigger lol

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KMoKMo · 15/12/2017 19:12

Thank you.

Did the nighties have short sleeves? I’m thinking a strappy floaty dress may be more comfortable but I will need to be monitored and don’t know if it will get in the way.

Totally agree about needing some boob support but I can’t find anything that’s supportive enough but loose enough that my ribs don’t feel like they are being crushed!

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Outbackshack · 15/12/2017 19:13

I had a wireless sports bra thing under a long thick strapped strappy top. Meant i felt covered up if i was moving around. Wore bra whole way through even in water bath and it made me feel less exposed (stupid as rest of me completely naked obviously!)

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Outbackshack · 15/12/2017 19:14

Bra was from avon btw. Really comfortable, no squishing but kept boobs up!

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Yogamatcat · 15/12/2017 19:15

I wore a breastfeeding/sleep crop top bra thing from mothercare. A bit supportive but not restrictive.
And a sheet off the bed as a cape Grin

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Bluerose27 · 15/12/2017 19:15

I wore a t-shirt of my husband's and leggings on the way to hospital. And fluffy socks. With a blanket around me. Ditched the leggings pretty quickly. And my undies too I think. T-shirt came off when I went into the shower. Nothing went back on! I was prepared to walk from the shower room down the corridor to the labour room naked. Midwife draped a dressing gown over me. I couldn't have cared less, I'd have walked down the main Street at that stage naked!

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BigBaboonBum · 15/12/2017 19:17

Try a sleeping bra!

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pastabest · 15/12/2017 19:18

I had a loose beach dress type thing on, just a cheapie from ASDA. Worked pretty well.

A lot of people say they end up naked but it never even featured in my mind. I felt cold most of the time in labour.

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elliejjtiny · 15/12/2017 19:19

Wore one of dh's t-shirts for ds1. Ds2 and ds5 I wore my favourite maternity nightie which by some miracle didn't get damaged even though I was still wearing it during my crash section with ds5. With ds3 I wore dh's rugby top because it was January and I was worried I would be cold. Ds4 was an elcs so I wore a hospital gown.

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Lemonicelolly1 · 15/12/2017 19:20

I wore a wireless "comfort" bra, short sleeve nightie & fluffy socks! I liked having my nightie on because I didn't feel too exposed, socks were great to keep my feet warm I had warned that a lot of people in Labour have cold feet...Smile

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GlennRheeismyfavourite · 15/12/2017 19:23

Tankini (water birth - in the pool the whole time) it was very comfy. I wouldn't want to be naked.

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ememem84 · 15/12/2017 19:23

I wore leggings and a long line vest initially then ditched he leggings fairly quickly. Has a soft sports bra on underneath. Kept the vest on though.

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minipie · 15/12/2017 19:24

Large soft t shirt with a low V neck. I think it came from the PJs section in primark. Failing that I would have worn an old (ie soft and thin) t shirt of DH's and made a slash in the neckline

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Loverunandwine · 15/12/2017 19:24

As the others I had a nighty (short shelves) and a nursing bra. I stayed in a top and leggings until things really got going though. They keep checking the heart beat so didn’t want to keep showing my pants to the world. Of course you end up naked (and don’t care) but pre that I did care.

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minipie · 15/12/2017 19:25

Oh and with DC2 I also wore socks. No time to get them off!

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B0033 · 15/12/2017 19:26

Loose, longish t-shirt or a vest top that was a bit smallish so it doubled as a soft bra or just nothing at all. I preferred the vest top best.

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BexleyRae · 15/12/2017 19:27

I was naked, couldnt have cared less about who saw what!

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iwanttobekate · 15/12/2017 19:35

I read all sorts of posts on here and spend ages sourcing long, dark coloured nightdresses which were left in the bag. Ended up in hospital gown both times. Back access for épidural and you don't have to take them home and wash them!

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JugglingMummyof2 · 15/12/2017 19:46

I had a purple tee-shirt that belonged to my husband with ' get wicked to-night' on it. Wore it by chance the first time and intentionally the second as it was my lucky birthing shirt Xmas Wink

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Oysterbabe · 15/12/2017 19:48

I got a couple of huge granny nighties from primark. They had some buttons too so you could breastfeed in them easily.

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