What did you give birth in?

[Stillmonday]

I'm trying to get my hospital bag ready and have now packed 2 nighties and a set of pjs.

What did you give birth in? Was it just a bra or anything else? I'm trying to be as prepared as possible!

Jeans and a top, the paramedics persuaded me to ditch the jeans just before I gave birth in the ambulance, not sure why I thought dd would enter the world clothed in denim

I can’t remember 😂 I definitely had leggings and a vest on at some point but I can’t remember when I removed them or what I actually ended up wearing 😂 gas and air is a wonderful thing!

For both of mine, I bought button down nighties for labour but actually gave birth in a vest top and bra.
The nighties were perfect for popping on after the post labour shower and for a few nights stay in hospital.

I couldn't have worn pyjamas after - I didn't really want any other fabric down there, other than pants obvs! Nighties are also easier when midwives need to do any checks of stitches etc.

A nightie to start with, but they made me change into a hospital gown because there were some concerns and they wanted to be ready for an emergency C-section just in case. Not needed in the end though.

First time a baggy T-shirt of some description. I think I kept it maybe....

Second time naked in the birthing pool. It wasn’t the plan, but it was how I felt most comfortable at the time!

Stark naked - including being moved from the triage assessment room to the labour ward one floor up! Poor prudish DH hopping around trying to protect my modesty with a sheet while I more or less yelled 'Raaahhhhh....don't TOUCH ME!!'

Do you know, I honestly can't remember for any of them! I've a feeling I was probably in hospital garments of some sort for all three...all vb. Just wear what you like & take it off when you like but nothing expensive - nightie of some sort I would say which I know is what I took in - just can't remember if I actually gave birth in any of them. Very soft and stretchy non-wired bra top is also good, but you may want it off for the birth so you can have skin to skin & can begin feeding easily soon afterwards. (Assuming you want to try BF that is!) Don't forget to think about what you will wear afterwards as that's when you will want comfort / easy access for feeding etc.

Slippers / flip flops / something to wear to go to the bathroom you can slip on and off easily.

I would recommend a nice stretchy /supportive (round the middle) maternity or b. feeding top for when you get up and about too, as your tum may feel a little odd as all your organs shift back into their rightful positions. Loose tops are fine for hiding a lingering bump, but I felt mine needed holding in position somewhat! Something no one warned me about although it may be extremely obvious!

Should say that I brought a nice selection of vests, nighties, bikini and had no intention of being naked but once labour was established I didn't give a shit

In the nude at home. Did most of it in a giant primark nightgown then went all primal towards the end!

Both times a lovely Swedish hospital gown. They are like a night shirt in really soft t-shirt material with buttons down the front.

nothing
midwife tried to get a hospital gown on me, but I was too hot and couldn't stand having anything on my skin.

Naked! It wasn’t planned I was just desperate to get in the pool and couldn’t be faffed with a top, didn’t get out for 9 hours

One of DH's old t-shirts. The same one for all four children. I've written in my will I want to be wearing it when I'm cremated.

Whatever I happened to be wearing when I went into labour.

My tip is don’t wear slightly risqué slogan/brand tops in later pregnancy if you don’t want to be photographed with a newborn laying on them.

I started on Dh's t-shirt and a pair of maternity leggings. Leggings soon came off when they checked me and never went back on. T-shirt came off when I got into the shower. Didn't go back on. So I was naked by the end. Didn't care. I was all set to walk naked down the corridor from the shower to the birthing room but someone threw a dressing gown around my shoulders. I think clothes for afterwards is more important. I had a nightie that buttoned down the front for bf. And massive knickers for the maternity pad

Hospital gown, I was induced and they offered it before they broke my waters.

Hospital gown, but my mum then brought in a night shirt that had belonged to my grandfather (in the days when men wore night shirts) to wear while I was still healing and bleeding- it was soft and comforting and absolutely lovely.

Love this thread! I am having my first and I know I will be one those women who will be butt naked - not because I want to but because I can't stand clothes when I am on my period, makes me itchy and claustrophobic so I envision being the same during labour!

1st time I was naked - in and out of the birthing pool, then squatting on the side clinging onto DP and the midwife whilst about 20 people yelled at me to push (baby was massive and very stuck). It was like an x-rated scene from The Enormous Turnip! Didn't feel an ounce of embarrassment at the time.

2nd time I only just had time to whip off my jeans and pants and leap in the birthing pool. Think I still had a bra on when DD was born.

Seriously, what you're wearing will be the least of your worries in the throes of labour! Take some comfy dark pyjamas, dressing gown and slippers for afterwards though :)

I actually have no idea. I'm going to ask dh.

A kidneykaren tummy warmer used as a comfy boob tube. I lived in that for much of pregnancy. And underwear.
Had a cardigan nearby for later as the air con was not adjustable and it got very cold in the early morning.
The maternity wrap dress and leggings came off much earlier.

Actually not cardigan but a cotton- viscose short and thin dressing gown. Perfect for summer.

Grey, button front nightie, even though I ended up with EMCS

1st hospital gown
2nd Primark nightie
I packed a really thin dressing gown too for walking around because it's actually hotter than hell on our mat ward a normal one would of been too much