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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

What do you wear in a birthing pool?!

36 replies

whizzyrocket · 13/10/2011 11:20

...After all I won't want to be naked for the whole time I'm in labour! Do you wear a swimming costume? The only one I currently fit is on loan from my sister! Or is big t-shirt you don't mind getting wet more suitable? Is there such a thing as birthing pool etiquette?!

And how many changes of clothes would you recommend taking with you? I have a couple of big night-shirts and my husband has many t-shirts I wouldn't mind getting messy, but what do you recommend do I take?

OP posts:
ruddynorah · 13/10/2011 11:21

Nothing. Or possibly just a bikini/tankini top.

Original poster
whizzyrocket · 13/10/2011 11:30

Even in the early stages when you might just be using it to relax??

OP posts:
ruddynorah · 13/10/2011 11:31

Well that's what I did, just got in naked. It's not like walking round naked or being on a bed naked, the water covers you up iyswim.

charlatan · 13/10/2011 11:39

I was planning to keep my bra on while in the pool but the midwife told me to take it off and I'm glad I did. I really was past caring at that point and its much more comfortable with nothing on! I imagine a baggy wet t-shirt may restrict your movement a bit. There isn't any etiquette and anything you're comfortable with I'm sure will be fine.
Water birth was brilliant. Good luck and enjoy it!

Original poster
whizzyrocket · 13/10/2011 11:42

Thanks. I just don't know what's normal. It's weird being told to enjoy it- after all I'm really quite apprehensive about all of this!

But then I get nervous when going for a blood test!

OP posts:
MrsChemist · 13/10/2011 11:46

I wore nothing, but I gave birth 8 minutes after getting in. I could have been wearing a carnival headdress for all I cared at that point. Grin

Perhaps take a bikini top, just in case. You don't have to wear it if you don't want to. I wouldn't wear a t-shirt in the pool. It'd get all wet and clingy and make you cold, I think.

Good luck! I loved my waterbirth, would do it again in a heartbeat.

BadDayAtTheOrifice · 13/10/2011 11:47

They won't let you in the birth pool in the early stages as it can slow labour down. You can have baths though. And when you're in good established labour you won't care if you're naked but take a bikini top if you want.
Take 2 or 3 changes of long t-shirt type tops and a couple of pairs of pyjamas or a nightie for afterwards just in case you end up staying in a day or 2. And lots of pants.

HappyAsIAm · 17/10/2011 13:28

I didn't wear anything at all. I went in the birthing pool at 4 cm dilated, and when I came out I as about 8 cm. I think I must have been in there for about 3 hours, just topping up the hot water, breathing in the G&A. Bliss!

Grumpla · 17/10/2011 13:32

Your birthday suit, of course Grin

chocolateyclur · 17/10/2011 13:33

Planning on an old nursing bra.

SeveredHeadsDragonTheFloor · 17/10/2011 13:40

I wore a maternity support vest. This was good as it didn't float about in the water. I would not have been at all comfortable naked but that's just personal preference. I also had bikini bottoms on until it got to the point where they had to come off :)

SeveredHeadsDragonTheFloor · 17/10/2011 13:41

"when you're in good established labour you won't care if you're naked "

I really despise comments like this because its simply not true for everyone.

Secondtimelucky · 17/10/2011 14:18

Are you having homebirth Whizzy? If you are, no one can really stop you getting in the early stages to relax for a bit. If you're at the hospital/unit, as BadDay said, they won't want you getting in until you're about 5cm in most cases, so you would be using a bath or shower to 'just relax'.

I was at home and put on a bikini top because I thought I was early doors and would be getting out again - thought it would be easier to be able to just put a towel around my waist or whatever when I got out again. Had I known DD2 would arrive about half an hour later, I would have got in naked.

Secondtimelucky · 17/10/2011 14:19

Dragon - I agree, but I do think it's fair to say "Many women who expect they will care what they are wearing find they couldn't give a stuff once in established labour".

Truffkin · 17/10/2011 15:08

This is interesting as I also feel uncomfortable a the thought of getting in naked (but accept I might change my mind when it's happening!) so would like to go prepared with something to wear. I am planning to take a bikini top and a couple of strappy vest tops, so I can decide when I'm there. I've got some lovely soft 'lounge wear' to put on afterwards, which I' already looking forward to getting into (saddo alert!!)

Secondtimelucky · 17/10/2011 17:24

Truffkin - is this your first? Immediately afterwards you might not want to put on brand new clothes. You will probably be bleeding a lot and there is a fair chance you'll get blood all over them. They might be better saved for 24 hours later. Unless of course you had the presence of mind to buy black, so it doesn't matter too much. You might want to pack some alternatives too.

thistlemuncher · 17/10/2011 21:12

I took a bikini top as I thought a t-shirt would just get wet and make me cold. In the end I wore nothing - my nicely packed hospital bag wasn't even opened until about 6 hours after the birth!

JoinTheDots · 17/10/2011 21:16

I wore a nursing bra. Meant I could unclip to feed DD as soon as she was passed to me, but was not naked throughout. I was more comfortable that way.

cherryjellybelly · 19/10/2011 13:28

I brought a bikini but just needed to be naked :) and it was fab! good luck whizzyrocket!

Truffkin · 19/10/2011 15:47

Second yes it's my first but I have a very knowledgeable mother who has made sure I've packed some old joggers / PJs as well as the shiny new M&S lounge wear I am so excited about. She is also behind the multi-pack cheapo pants purchasing and has taken it upon herself to equip me with the 'right kind of' sanitary pads for afterwards Grin

I've got a nursing bra but only bought one at the moment as I have no idea what kind I'll like (or even if BF will work for us) and I have mahoosive buzwams so want to make sure I'm on the right track before spending too much on new bras.

Thanks for this thread Whizzy it's been most useful for advice!

Secondtimelucky · 19/10/2011 16:55

I like the sound of your mum Truffkin! For the large of bosom, once things have settled down, Anita underwired nursing bras are amazing BTW.

Flisspaps · 19/10/2011 17:16

The first thing that came into my head was one of those lovely floral swimming caps, you know with the flowers attached to it.

I might get one myself.

Truffkin · 19/10/2011 17:25

Yes the one I've gone for is Anita as it looks to offer the best support with it's pretend underwiring. I ordered from nursingBrashop.co.uk this morning and he emailed me to say it's been posted already. I'm looking forward to practising one-handed clip release so I'm a pro by the time the baby arrives (ha, ha!)

Secondtimelucky · 19/10/2011 18:52

Truffkin - once the initial engorgement settles down, there's one with real underwiring, but cut nice and wide at the sides so it doesn't press on breast tissue. Honestly, tis the dog's whatsits. Usually about £35, which makes me feel a bit sick, but well worth it.

PinkFondantFancy · 20/10/2011 05:22

Id bought a new bikini for the occasion but as it happens I ended up taking off everything but my bra to get in the pool. I would have lost the bra too bur I think I was transitioning and working out how to take it off would have taken up way t