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 dont do it naked.

I am quite concerned with what I wear whilst in labour. Not enough to buy this dress thing that someone tried to sell me once. It cost £60 and was basically a very nice wrap dress with something inspiring embroidered in the neck band. It was lovely but not for the likes of me.

I prefer to wear something casual whilst heaving around being grumpy and swearing at my OH. The problem is I just don't suit casual wear. Its a real condundrum.

During DC4's labour I caught site of my self in the mirror and had to change. I looked dreadful.

I had it cracked by DC5.
Not having anymore which is very but at least I dont have to worry about what to wear anymore.

^^^^ is a true fact.

OP you are being odd and I should know.

I think we all understand perfectly that you find in undignified and didn't feel a need to be naked. Nobody is commenting that to wear clothes, or want to wear clothes, is odd. That's what I meant by aren't some people weird - that you would come to the section of MN that is known for being argumentative with a polarised view of a very subjective matter and then be surprised that hardly anyone shares your view (particularly in it's jugement of others) or wish to remained clothed during birth.

So, what is odd is that you're clearly still judging those who have given birth naked, as recently as your last post, again intimating that there is no need (quite how one compares a highly hormonal and physical experience such as birth to changing one's clothes at the pool is bizarre) and that, as a group we are either unusal or liars because your real life expeience of questioning (a huge number of women?) others confirms your belief that most women give birth covered up as much as possible. You should also bear in mind that birds of a feather tend to flock together - could it be that your friends are reporting a similar experience to you because, well, they're like you? (again, nothing wrong with wanting to wear clothes!)

Btw, yes, we are animals, actually. We live day to day life with many constaints that living as a society has placed upon us, often respressing lots of our more primal urges because that's what's best for humans as a whole group but we are animals nonetheless. Mammals to be precise. And we have lots in common with other mammals when it comes to giving birth/immediate post natal period - a need for comfort, being one. As many women here are reporting, for them, they simply had to remove their clothes - sometimes without even knowing why. Which suggests that the mechanism leading them to remove their clothes isn't a conscious thing, but an instintive, primal one. If it's what a woman needs to feel comfortable enough to get on with the very hard job of seeing her baby safely into the wold then more power to her - not bloody judgement about her need to show off her naked body.

I suspect that it doesn't really matter what any of us say though. Us naked birthers are exhibitionists and there's nothing more to it, clearly!

at don't suit casual wear.

Personally, I look divine in an NHS surgical gown - not many can carry that off....

"being naked during birth is a bit weird and undignified"

Crikey. Well the whole thing is, TBH, weird and undignified. After you've had a procession of students viewing your "private" parts, you've shat the bed, you've groaned and yelled and shrieked like an animal, sweated like a pig, who cares about clothes?

Giving birth was the most natural and amazing thing I have ever done. As my labour progressed I just wanted to be naked, in the dark, with my DH. I couldnt bear the feeling of clothes on my skin, and felt this was an intense experience that was about my body doing amazing things. It was the most perfect and dignified experience and wearing clothes would have felt alien, strange and intrusive.

OP, I think you are letting social conditioning and prudishness affect how you are thinking about this: and you keep repeating negative views about those of us to whom nakedness was the most natural state to be in in the world to give birth. That is not gracious behaviour: you asked a question, people have answered it and then you tell us that we are 'wierd and undignified'.

I think you owe a number of people on this thread an apology.

i was very hot. why would i wear clothes?

there was just a MW and my mum, and dh...

who have seen it all before.

I only just got my trousers off in time but top was off as soon as ds popped out.

Tp quote the OP "We are human beings, not animals," LOL LO that's one of the most silly comments I have ever read.

exoticfruits - If you are worried by appearances you are going to find childbirth very difficult

I fail to see how anyone can be dignified giving birth. I found it liberating-nothing much bothers me now!

I am very dignified when giving birth.

It is my special talent.

TBH I would be more worried about how white my legs were.

kae you mean you didn't get a spray tan beforehand???

I recommend a light diffusing serum for the face with a cream blusher and waterproof mascara.

You dont want to overdo it but you have to keep your standards up.

For white legs you should book a spray tan a day before you EDD and a back up one a week later just incase you go overdue.

Although care is supposed to be patient centered, if you look at it from a HCP POV (i am a former HCP). We don't care if you are naked at any time, we see your bits, as trained to, from a biological POV.

During some parts of care giving you have to sort of 'blank out' what you are actually dealing with eg bowel movements. You just use what you are seeing to judge if all is well.

It is actually easier to work with patients that don't have the ability to be 'mortified' at something as simple as having no clothes on, for both us and them.

Unless the OP plans to sit in on alot of births, it doesn't matter what goes on in the birthing room as long as it suits those going through the process.

I wasn't naked - I wore socks.

Avoid large earrings, go for a small pearl stud.

Ankle chains are fine and can offer a pleasant distraction when your legs are in the air. If you add bells to them you can entertain your guests whilst contracting.

PoPG I would put it to you, that unless it was a full body sock you were clearly lacking in dignity.

If it was a thigh high, you did your best (those full body ones are difficult to come by, but you had nine months to source one, woman. I'm sure you could have fashioned something in time). Knee high and I'd be thinking you were actually failing horribly.

Ankle socks - why? WHY would you need to show your full legs? They have NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BIRTH!

Trainer liners? Wanton hussy

During transition with both of mine I got really hot and uncomfortable so I stripped off....wasnt planned - just felt right.

Couldnt have given a rubbery fuck "how it looked" tbh!

HTH

I wore a brand new night shirt, new slippers (only because I never wore them normally so had to buy them) and a lightweight dressing gown that stayed on until epidural. The night shirt stayed on throughout even in the theatre and at all times, they kept my modesty (apart from being able to see my bits of course). My nightshirt stayed totally clean and my slippers were the victims of breaking waters but they washed fine. Oh, and I kept my bra on. Every single little bit of my birth plan was ignored so I did not get skin to skin anyway. It did not occur to me to be naked, but if I had got to use the pool, I would have kept my bra on (odd I know ).

TBH, I wouldn't have been surprised if Lord Lucan had turned up in that room

With DD1, I laboured for 14 hours, most of which I just wanted to be in the bath but the midwife kept dragging me out to be hooked up to machines, and eventually when she tried to make me walk down the corridor, despite me wanting to push (she didn't believe me as the baby was in an unusual position and prem) I was naked and couldn't care less. Really, I thought I was going to die, why would I care about being nude?

Both babies were born by section in the end, and I was clothed, but only for warmth. If someone is looking inside you, again, why hide the outside?

I don't really know which part of you a midwife in even a normal birth wouldn't see anyway. She sees all your undercarriage in great detail, she will see your belly and back, and she will see your boobs when you feed the baby. Unless you are shy with your shoulders, what would be the point?

Oh, chunky knit fisherman's socks - nothing tarty

DeVere what is your advice on hats? I heard it is terribly undignified to appear on public without wearing one.