what to wear?

[qazxc]

I have realised with mounting dread that all nightdresses are either:
a) something my gran would wear
b) sexy and vampy (and look really uncomfortable)
c) too short
d) oversized t shirts with cartoon characters on them, (and also too short)

I know that when the labour gets going i won't care if i'm in the hospital corridor naked on all fours, but it's the mother and baby photos that i don't want to be haunting me for the next twenty years. i just want something classy and practical/ comfortable. Does anyone know where to procure such an article? (also if it could cover my bingo wings it would be great).

shallow i know but it's been bugging me.

I'm not sure if this will be helpful or what you're looking for but I bought a pack of 2 from Asda, just cheap ones as they will probably get thrown away, they are a few inches above my knees (I'm 5ft5) and have thinish spaghetti straps...very plain. I got these as I really hate a, c and d (and b may not be appropriate for giving birth in!) They won't cover bingo wings but I'm taking a housecoat and cardi too and I probably won't care!

I actually didn't get a chance/inclination to take off the top I was wearing when I went into the labour room, but after the birth I was told to shower (there was a shower room attached where I'd already washed down my lower half after my waters were broken) and then I put on a nightie (strappy bfing one from mothercare) as it was night time by then and got into the bed and that's when we took the first few photos. I looked better than DH who was still wearing a sweaty t-shirt! There's no reason why you couldn't find a little wrap or light dressing gown or even PJs to put on for the photos. TBH the nightie was pale and made me look even paler than I am so second time round I'm really thinking about this too!

I planned the same way for my first birth. I ended up choosing an oversized mens pj shirt as it worked as a nightdress. Obviously I didn't end up wearing it, or anything in fact, as I was too bloody hot. But you have to consider these things. Could you think about a cotton tunic top with 3/4 sleeves? Doesn't have to be nightwear after all. Seeing as you've gone to so much thought about how you'll look, I assume you packed the essentials of bottled water with drinking spout top (so you can squirt into the mouth), lipsalve and magic-cool water spray for the face and back? No point wearing the right thing if you're red and claggy!

I bought a maternity summer t shirt dress from La Redoute. As a dress I would have returned it immediately as it was too shapeless but kept it to wear for the birth (actually used for all 3).

Was better than nightie as right length, bit thicker fabric and looked like a proper top in the photos. Short sleeves but better coverage than most nighties.

I wore my DH's shirt for all three births (a different shirt for each one) - it was really lovely. Although ended up naked for all of them too - but put them back on for decency afterwards.

I have to say though, I looked crap in the pics (a bit knackered and all that ) but everyone's looking at the baby anyway. Plenty of time to worry about what you look like later on. :)

Primark have some button front nighties in at the moment, I have two for breastfeeding after the birth plus an old baggy t-shirt for the birth. Ended up in a hospital gown with my first anyway.

I simply asked for a hospital gown so didn't need to worry if it gets dirty or anything.

Matalan usually have button through nighties that are great for feeding etc post birth.

I had a black polka dot button front (only the top bit) nightie from Primark that I changed into. I was a bit grey though and the nightie exacerbated it. I don't care though - I'd had a bloody awful morning with lots of post birth problems but I was still smiling despite being exhausted as I'd had my beautiful baby girl

I was thinking of getting one of these for the birth and to use after, have press studs for easy breastfeeding: www.theprettycompany.com/shop/gownies/molly-gownie/

I got a pack of 2 from primark that were a bit above knee height but not too short. They had spaghetti straps which was fab because it was so hot in the postnatal ward and I think one was grey and the other orange and pink pinstripe so nothing naff really. Best of all they were dirt cheap, bought with the intention of chucking them afterwards but they didn't get mucky so using them again this time around.

I just wore a normal vest top and some comfy trousers for the birth. I was told to take a shower after birth where I changed into my nursing vest. Then at night, I just had button up PJs.

Yes, Yes, Yes. have found my perfect nightdress on figleaves.com. in their maternity wear so shouldn't be too short and should be fit for purpose. lovely style. fingers crossed it fits when it gets here. :o .

Do you actually mean what to wear during the birth itself? I was, naively, totally taken aback by how damn messy the whole business was and fortunately had opted for a cheap nightie (grey, inoffensive) from (sadly now defunct) bon marche in some massive size which got so, erm, stained, that i just binned it straight after the birth, had a bath and got changed into my nice maternity nightie again. alternatively, use a hospital gown to give birth in and then get changed afterwards - you'll want something nice and clean on.

You might find the ones on here better:

www.pinkcamellia.com/search.asp?types2=yes&type2=Silk+nightdresses

I just ordered this maternity nighty from amazon
Haven't received it yet but I'll let you know if it's any good!

NCT website shop has a 'birthing shirt' that's about £50. It has panels and bits and bobs that remove at front and back so the rest of you is covered up. If you have £50 to spare might be worth it. They also do other nighties and things. I just bought a mothercare set nightie and dressing gown as I'm having a section, otherwise I would definitely have gone for pjs!

If anyone bought the mothercare set and thought it was crap do tell me and I'll take it back! :)

Thing1 that nightie looks nice but I never understand why they do such light colours as have read loads of threads (here and elsewhere) about people bleeding through undies, staining pjs / nighties and wandering round blissfully unaware. Black is best but quite hard to get in maternity stuff

Tweedle they look great apart from the pale colours. Like the double sided poppers thing!

Agree with Gilbert. For the birth, if they offer you a hospital gown, wear that. They are cool, and do up up the back, so if you do end up having an epidural, they can get the tube in easily. Best of all, you can leave it at the hospital. My hospital had great ones with bf flaps in the front.

I had a cheap nightie from Primark, cost a fiver, was pink with black polka dots so no silly characters, and buttons down the front so I could use it for breastfeeding. Anyway, near the end they made me take it off and put a gown on as they were considering a trip to the theatre. And when the baby was born, I took off the gown for skin to skin so I was naked for the pictures although DP clearly managed to make sure no boobs appeared in the pictures. And I think the pics looked nicer that way anyway.
Once you are getting dressed to go to the ward, you could just put pj's on.
If you don't want to spend money on a nightie to wear I am sure the hospital can provide you with a gown.
Birthing shirt sounds like a phenomenal waste of money.