To labour in my nightdress

I still want to know why he was discussing his wife's birth plan with his sisters

That's what I did.

Years ago, mind but it was fine

My knickers and pyjama bottoms had to be cut off me at pushing time 😂

But labouring in your nightclothes, or swimsuit, or knickers, or birthday suit - all totally normal options

I spent most of my labour clothed, when I got to 8cms I removed my trousers and knickers and kept my top on. Do it however you want and wear what makes you feel comfortable. Once at pushing stage you will obviously need to take pants off, but can absolutely keep your nightdress on, maybe put a vest underneath, so if you do get hot you will still have a vest on x

I suppose I read it as: tempers were high, the future is stressful, unknown and uncertain and the word ridiculous was used. That's how he honestly felt in the moment and they're a real life couple, having real life uncomfortable conversations. Having read further comments (the catheter etc) he is starting to sound a bit of a knob unfortunately.

Second time around midwife had to tell me to remove my knickers as I didn't realise pushing was so imminent. First labour had been much longer and the epidural meant I didn't feel the pressure/urge to push and thought I needed to pass stool when I felt it during second labour. I had removed them for an examination earlier then changed to bikini top to get in the pool.
Maybe you and DH could watch some positive birth story videos together? Lots of YouTube if you look and you'll see women in all manner of outfits.

I wore a nightie both times with my DDs, just ended up with it pulled up to my waist when giving birth. I was freezing the 2nd time around, no way could I have had nothing on!

@WeightoftheWorld I had epidurals with both my births, no suggestion either time of having a catheter. What would be the point of that? Big risk of damaging the urethra I would have thought and you do NOT want anything getting in your way down there during labour! Midwives are used to dealing with wee and poo during labour, all women let it all go during labour.

I wore an oversized nightdress with the first. With the second I was in jeans and a t-shirt until about an hour before he was born. Wear whatever makes you comfortable

I felt the same as you.
I wore a bikini top which was perfect. Nightie over the top and only removed my pants at the last minute.
i felt fine - at the end you won’t care.
Consider tying your hair up at the beginning. Have a trim downstairs. Focus on your comfort.

It really depends on the situation. Lots of women may not be keen for regular, routines vaginal examinations during their labour, especially if everything has been straightforward and many midwives are completely happy to support this (although
of course the woman has to give her permission regardless of how the healthcare workers feel). I can totally understand why some women may want to decline them, especially if they have past trauma etc.

But even if you are totally happy having regular vaginal exams, I still think it’s helpful to know that you only have them done if you give them your consent and permission, you can say stop at any moment and they have to stop.

as I understand it, its his sister(s) who have been telling him what the OP should be doing. As I said before, why is he discussing his wife's birthing wishes wwith his sister(s)?

although not all midwives will wait for consent unfortunately

That’s assault then 😳

Honestly, OP I wouldn’t give this anymore headspace. When the time comes you honestly won’t care a few hours in. I took a 3/4 length nightie/nightshirt in with me but ended up just getting in the birthing pool and winging it. The lighting is very dimmed and I kept a vest top thing on over my boobs. Knickers come off once labour gets going and taking them on and off is the last thing on your mind.

I wore a nightdress and pants. Wore the pants and had to keep changing my pad because my waters kept coming the whole time I was in labour. Only took pants off to be examined, at which point it was pushing time anyway.

Got stitched up, then kept my pants off while it was just me, DH and baby. When midwives came back to move us to postnatal ward I got up, had a wash in the sink with paper towels and water (my legs were too much in shock to manage a shower) and put new pants and a fresh pad on.

Hope that helps!

You'd be uncomfortable keeping knickers on as they will be wet.

I wore disposable pants with a thick pad, absorbed the leaking waters.
To be honest I was in and out of the pool so totally naked but had to go up to the clu in the end so wore my nightgown then.
Yes it did get covered in blood and baby urine so make sure you take a few nightgowns with you.
Really do recommend the disposable pants and pads though for after the birth as well there will be a lot coming out.

I gave birth in a hospital gown twice. Only once was a c-section.

I’ll be honest, with my non-sectionI can’t remember actually taking my knickers off, but they must have come off at some point…

@Bel43 thats a fair analysis. I completely forgot tbh that my labours were only 11hours and 6 hours each - pretty much full on from the start for both.

His opinion is totally irrelevant as he’s not the one doing it. Wear what you want op

Just tell him that as you are the one in labour, you'll.decide what to wear and whether you can reach the loo.

You will find that when the time comes you will go with the flow.

I decided to wear a hospital gown on the basis there would be mess and I'd get something that wasn't mine messy.

packed a clean shirt for DH when DD was born as DS pooed all over him when put in his arms

Wtf?

But if you want to keep your baby safe you should allow them too.

I laboured both of my girls wearing a vest and just had a sheet over my lower half, so I wasn't just "exposed" but it was easy for the medical staff to examine, etc

This is of course entirely your choice.

However, it would be in some ways beneficial to your care for the midwife to be able to see what is going on prior to crowning. For example, baby's position and how your perineum is coping with the stretching.

It can also help you in being guided when to stop pushing as your baby crowns, to help prevent tearing.

(I have delivered many babies!)