What do you wear for a water birth?

[spice3]

Nothing?
Do you pack an actual bikini top or something?
Just a t-shirt?

I'm hoping for a water birth in 9 weeks and this is something that popped into my mind that I've never thought of when I couldn't sleep at 2am this morning.

Am I being stupid? 😂

I just wore a sports / gym type tshirt. I'm sure we were told you could pretty much wear whatever you wanted

I was naked. Some people prefer to wear a tankini or t-shirt. It doesn't really matter, as long as it's not a huge floaty dress that will get in the way or something.

Nothing.
My husband who was in with me, sitting behind me supporting my body wore his swimming shorts.

I took a bikini top with me but there was no way I was bothering to put that on! I was completely naked and couldn't have cared less. The water was amazing though!

I've had 4 labours and only 1 water birth and it was by far the most beautiful way to give birth.

I took a tankini and a vest top but was in and out of the pool like a fiddlers elbow so in the end just ended up naked.

Fuck all IMO

I didn’t wear anything. The birth itself was lovely, but as soon as he was born I was like, “What the Hell?! Get me out of this gross water!”

Naked because of getting in and out. It's not nice in wet clothes to be put and taking off and on would be a nightmare.

Whatever you feel comfortable in. I just kept the bra I was wearing on, I wish I had taken it off at the beginning though, as it was a pain when DS was born trying to hold him and get my boob out to feed.

Slightly technical question - but what happens once the baby is born? How do you get out of the pool? Do you have a shower right away or does someone come and just hand you a towel?

Very many questions!

@ShirleyPhallus I'll add another -

One thing I'm panicking about is what if the baby inhales/swallows water once the head is out? Is that possible?

I had a home water birth and spent the near entirety of my labour in the water, the midwives were able to check me in the water so no getting in and out, in and out. My husband just kept topping up the water to keep it warm.
I wore a simple maternity t shirt dress cause I did t want to be naked. I sold it on eBay for more than I bought it for, and kind of regret selling it now.
The water is an incredible pain relief, that blow up pool was my little safe place and while I don’t want another baby I’d happily go through the same birth experience again!
Good luck mama x

I had a water birth with my fourth baby, and if I could go back in time I would have had a water birth every time! I was completely naked in the pool. Also the baby won't get an urge to breathe until they hit the air, they will still be receiving all oxygen through the umbilical cord until you lift them out of the water. When my friend gave birth the baby's head had been born but the body was still inside her, and she lifted her bum out of the water so she couldn't put it back in, they made her stay out incase the baby had taken a breath x

I just kept my bra on. After he needed resus (I don't think due to swallowing water) so I was in there while they hid it from me. One thing that threw me and now seems really stupid is as he was born it was just me in water and they had to tell me to get him out of the water. I was pretty high on the gas and floaty so was a bit disoriented. He was all fine and then you just wrap up in a towel before placenta and checks.

I've had 3 water births and all have been the most beautiful experiences of my life.

1. Starkers. agree with pp who say I didn't want to be constricted! I had this overwhelming urge to be naked (and I am a giant prude)
2. Didn't remotely care or even notice gunky water. Even stayed in until I caught my breath. They help you out when you're ready. I showered right away. Bear in mind you're pretty out of breath/adrenaline crashing so a bit wobbly.
3. Baby is totally fine. Midwife is super on it and can monitor things very unobtrusively while you're in the water
4. I 100% found being almost totally submerged was the most comforting and relaxing. As in, it wasn't just a place to crouch and labour, I lay in until my whole body except my face was under. It was bliss.

Good luck!

I can't believe I didn't consider it for my first to be honest, it never crossed my mind when having him so I'm really hoping for one this time as I've only heard good things!

Once the baby is born and above the surface of the water it will start breathing air. Until then, it's just like being in the womb I think. Once you've got the baby they pull the plug out to drain the water and all the 'extras'. Then placenta delivery. Then you just get out for feeding and examination. Then off for a shower. I don't know if this is standard chain of events but I presume so.

@spice3 the head out bit is weird I must admit, but your body jut take over and the midwives were fab talking me and my husband through this stage. Guiding my babe up out of the water and into a cuddle was magical.
(Don’t get me wrong the pressure and my fandago hurt like hell, but it was so much better than my first birth experience)
@ShirleyPhallus I sat in the warm pool cuddling for a bit and delayed cord clamping. My husband cut the cord while I was still in the pool. I can’t remember how long I sat in the warm pool for, it must have gotten cold though cause I remember the midwives telling me to get out in order to keep my daughter warm. I was at home so wrapped myself in a towel and an enormous pad, waddled up the stairs for a shower. the midwives and my husband physically supported me every step of the way. I had a few moments to myself in the shower.

I wore a tankini top.

Baby won't breathe instantly so no risk of inhaling water/drowning.

Didn’t have one with any of mine but curious now, do the midwives get in with you?!

I wore my nightie both times.
Good luck op, would definitely recommend a water birth x

@CakeNinja I don't think midwives get in.

However I was just about to ask - can your partner get in?

My memory of this is pretty vague but... the midwives started filling up the pool for me because they said it might offer some pain relief, it was too early to take anything - then contractions came on super fast and I had a little bleed and got sent to hospital (I was at a birthing center before hand) - no time to get in the pool, but I’m quite certain I was told to take all my clothes off to get in! Because I did take my clothes off just before being told that I would have to get in an ambulance and then had to put them all back on to leave! Literally managed just one item of clothing between every contraction, it took a while

You genuinely won't care. You won't want anything remotely tight on you though.