to wonder why some women give birth naked?

[sparklyknittedmacaroons]

Just seen a video of a woman doing this, and I know a couple of friends who have chosen to. Am about to give birth to my 4th and personally couldn't bear the thought of being naked in a room of strangers, also don't understand why there is the need...not criticising anyone who does it, just genuinely asking the question so no rudeness or flaming please!

I had three strangers staring straight up my fanjo. I didn't really care what was on top. They were helping me birth my child. I was very happy for them to do that.

They do have to look, you know OP

Sparkly - were you aware before this thread that you may well shit the bed?

How dignified will you feel then?

Although, I've had two DC and never crapped the bed. I simply didn't feel the need

You could just stick a big paper bag over your head

Ha ha ha ha ha the latest post from the OP is priceless.

Hahahahahahaahahaaaa.

Ahem Ms kahuna FOUR and no crappage....

Damn you MrsDV. And my second was an ELCS so blatantly cheating

I shat

Plenty, forgivable I guess, so long as you weren't naked

I was an exhibit.

I think I was midwife training example 1.2 or something. Lots of people in and out during DS2's birth.

They all asked rather nicely though before coming in and unlike the OP I rather embrace my mammalian side.

Felt a bit sorry for the baby midwife who was so excited to be allowed in (was a man) and sat through a couple of hours of DH and I chatting only to go off shift about 30 minutes before the good bit.

I got complimented by my midwives for my beautiful birth naked and all. Am Smug ;)

No I was wearing socks. Didn't get it on the socks.

YABU, OP. And I don't even have kids.

Judgemental numpty.

I had to abort my waterbirth and ended up naked on the bed. They actually brought a fan in as I was drenched in sweat trying to get my baby out. The last stage wasn't that pleasant as DD decided to turn herself in the last minute back to back and got the cord around her neck.

My midwife was 60+, I assume she saw everything before and DH def. did :-)

And my boob was only interesting after the baby was born and on my chest, before that the main attention couldn't be covered anyway.

This is the way to do it ...
Though you might end up doing it like this

I don't really see how you can NOT be at least mostly-naked when you give birth...nothing on your bottom half of course and then if you do start off wearing something on your top isn't it just going to come off at some point anyway - if only for skin to skin once the baby's born? I was wearing a pyjama top that popped open entirely during the labour and by the end I think I had one sleeve on...it wasn't really my main concern though!

Garlicnutter - now that first one got me chuckling wickedly aloud.

Now, it's when they get to root about in your gizzards that naked seems just irrelevant. (sorry to anyone who is sensitive after a c-section). I almost rather it had been only strangers there. I'm never quite sure what to think about DH having seen my insides.

Am reluctantly coming to the conclusion that the OP is indeed a troll. She's not exactly vocal on any other threads, if you do a search.

Never mind, Back, it's an engaging thread!

I'm never quite sure what to think about DH having seen my insides ... True, that's not one of the things you discuss when deciding to go long-term, is it?!

garlicnutter, there's only one way I'm doing it, and it's like <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=www.brassagency.com/blog/wp-content/uploads//2010/08/Sophie-Dahl_Opium.jpg&imgrefurl=www.brassagency.com/blog/that-old-chestnut-does-sex-actually-sell/sophie-dahl_opium/&h=320&w=480&sz=35&tbnid=4GW8vDQg9aWcXM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=135&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsophie%2Bdahl%2Bopium%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this

You see. Naked and dignified and feminine at all times. God help us if that slips. DH has packed the diamond necklace in the hospital bag.

You're so right, Helium That dark blue satin will camouflage the poo - wise choice.

I was naked except for a pair of trainer socks - no idea why I had the socks on

I'm gobsmacked at the thought that not everyone is naked apart from Americans and people in unrealistic films

I remember a MW trying to put a gown on me as they wheeled me to theatre for an emergency intervention and saying something about 'not upsetting the porters' and I remember thinking 'fuck the porters' - couldn't bear anything or anyone touching me (so much for nct talk of dh massaging me )

I am the living embodiment of a Victorian spinster aunt (I won't even have my bikini line waxed professionally because it's all too cringey), but I was stark bollock naked both times. DS - in the midwifery unit with DP & two midwives, DD- unplanned home birth with DP crouching in the bath, two previously unknown male paramedics at the business end and my brother walking past the bathroom door carrying DS out.

I didn't give a toss, frankly. Couldn't bear to have anything touching me, was solely focussed on the job I needed to do. The Notting Hill Carnival could have passed through the room with live web streaming and I still wouldn't care. We are animals, and in fact our labour is worse because of our allegedly developed brains. If you manage your labour clothed, I'm stunned and genuinely intrigued.

OP, you are offensive. Are you incapable of grasping that by going on and on about how you think it's undignified to give birth naked, you're actually calling lots of women here undignified?

I have no words for how narrow-minded you are.

/had a EMCS so ended up with hospital gown regardless of what I might've preferred.

GAhhhh - ok, haven't read whole thread but read quite a bit of it earlier - WHY are people being so strange about this? Who cares?

As it happens, I give birth twice, with either hospital gown or big t-shirt on (I think one of each) - both times had room full of strangers - but that's not the point - I was induced with various minor complications - for a start, I don't think I would have been able to take my gown off with all the monitors strapped to my stomach and needles in my hand, but also, I didn't feel the need or inclination to. If I had wanted to, I would have asked, but I didn't. After birth I must have yanked the top up or something - I definitely had skin to skin.

That's just my experience. Why get all self-righteous about this, either way?? If you feel too hot or uncomfortable, fgs take it off. If you feel fine and don't want to reveal yourself to 15 strangers, leave it on.