To labour in my nightdress

Take a lot of pants. I was covered in blood as I had a massive show and also my waters went and kept going etc. If baby's in distress they will keep checking you etc. Just take around 10.pairs of pants

Just wear a button down nightdress that you are happy to bin if it gets too bloody.
I did this with my four then the last was so quick I was still in the clothes we'd driven down to the hospital in.

You can't wear knickers, your HCP will need to be able to examine you. Also once your waters break it's a constant trickle of water so they'd be soaked through every 10 minutes. It will be fine to wear a nightie but you'll want to be comfortable so I'd suggest a big soft t-shirt style one.

😅 Why wouldn’t the midwives want someone naked in the bed ?

I was naked roaming the room, on the bed, leaning on the windowsill… the midwives did not care one iota either way.

Sounds like your DH has a lot of issues needs to unpack, saying he wants you to have a catheter to prevent you giving birth on the toilet is not normal :/ Why would anyone even think of that? It’s plain odd.

Take him to a prenatal class and ask these questions to the teacher.
He needs to understand better
No ones gets a catheter to give birth

So keen to know what your husband suggests a labouring woman wears 🤣 crotchless knickers maybe ?

That is a no. No midwife will catheterise you for that reason. If you had an epidural or urine retention or a medical reason, but it carries a risk of infection and they won't do one for that reason.

It is very rare for a 1st baby to fly out. Most 1st time mum will be pushing for at least 30 minutes or so. Even subsequent babies, you have the urge to push so people get up if they have that urge. Even if kneeling in bathroom. I have never had a baby born in the toilet (in bathroom yes) and I have assisted 300+ babies and been present for at least double that! It us very very rare. Had more babies in the carpark (but never a 1st baby).

I got incredibly hot and thirsty in labor, and ended up stripping off completely (and drinking pints and pints of water)- but had planned to wear a strappy cotton knee length nightie.

whatever you want is absolutely fine. The midwives have seen literally everything. If you have strong feelings about wearing your pants then make sure they’re aware- you don’t want to be explaining about that every time they ask to check you. But do also be aware that once in transition and beyond, getting pants on and off may not be very easy- or even possible- so I’d make sure whatever else you’re wearing, you feel covered “enough” in that you won’t be too worried about being exposed.

Good luck!

Obviously you have take your knickers off for obvious reasons

Your baby will get stuck in your knickers otherwise in case that's not clear for some reason

Bout other than that of course you'll be wearing a nightie or hospital gown

No one wants you lying naked on the bed

I wore a nightie the whole
time. I can’t actually remember when my knickers came off and never went back on. I had a catheter after so there weren’t any for a while.

He also wants me to get cather in as he’s worried about me having the baby in the loo.

Say what now?

He's starting to sound erm odd?

I don't think women can just request a catheter can they?
(And why would you want to?)

I think I’d burst out laughing if my husband told me what he wanted me to wear while in labour (or honestly in general). That being said I wore a nightdress when I had my son - the knickers came off at some stage but I’ve no idea at what point - all that stuff seems important before but I remember being in labour and just thinking I literally couldn’t care about being discreet anymore 😅

If you really do want to think about taking your pants on & off I would say as baggy & loose as possible so that you could pull up & down & step in & out easily.

Once you're "in the thick of it" so to speak it might not be on your mind at all.

Especially if you are wearing for example a longish tshirt that you feel covered enough in.

If you were thinking of just a sports bra on top no wonder you were thinking about keeping pants on when possible!

OK he needs to calm the hell down, nobody is needing a catheter. I think if he acts like a total idiot in the labour room you can just get the midwife to kick him out!

Plus, the NHS literally tell you to bring an old nightie. He’s talking shite!

https://www.nhsinform.scot/ready-steady-baby/pregnancy/preparing-for-parenthood/what-to-take-with-you-for-labour-and-birth/

I gave birth 6 weeks ago. I think wearing pants is silly, but a nightdress is fine, I wore one - but I was bloody hot. My nightie was up just under my boobs for active labour because I felt like I was melting.

Nightdress, t shirt, vest, anything is fine!

I think when the time comes you might just not care.
I was very worried about similar but your body just takes over at one point and you really don’t care one bit.
Hope you have a great experience :)

Hi OP
this is what I did! It was fine but no knickers 😳 for obvious reasons!
midwife tried to get me into hospital issue gown because I might ruin my nightdress but completely supported me when I wanted to remain in said nightdress 😀
they offered me a catheter I was reluctant as I’d had UTI recently so they gave me a temporary catheter which I believe is a thing and comes out straight away after the birth. Or… it was just a catheter that was put in and taken out immediately after birth I cannot say for sure since I was intoxicated by gas and air.
Also just to add, if they say they want to get you on your hands and knees you don’t have to do it! I didn’t but I heard it said 😅
I was intending a water birth but when the midwife said the pool was a bit yucky I decided against so glad it did was it was just fine on a bed in labour ward.
I can highly recommend an Elle tens machine
It’s your birth no one elses, tell hubby into F off if you have to. Own it, wishing you all the best x

I’m finding your DH chat a bit concerning! Hopefully he’s just an anxious klutz but who does he think he is, saying he wants you to get a catheter etc. He needs to understand that this is YOUR JOB and you will do it in the way that makes you most comfortable. If he’s been reading so much then he will understand that anxiety and stress in labour is less conducive to a smooth ride, and he will back off with his daft ideas about what you should wear and do.

Its obviously his baby and he cares but the actual doing of labour - completely your gig, I’d be telling him to back right off and also stop discussing the minutiae like that with his sisters.

They won't just give you a catheter. Honestly the staff have seen many births and you probably won't need to wee at the crucial moment. If you do it will be among other fluids. He needs to back off with his opinions,

You're going to have take them of and on so often you'll get fed up in the end. Particularly if it's a long labour.

I disagree. He isn't just saying what he thinks might be helpful. He's told the OP she's being ridiculous, which is the opposite of being helpful!

I also wore just a big night/t shirt.

For after I had something like the birthing dress linked to.

I think it was from M&S & sold as a summer dressing gown!