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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Those of you who laboured/gave birth in a pool...did you wear anything whilst in the water?

39 replies

RightUpMyRue · 15/03/2013 16:44

It seems like a bit of daft question, obviously when pushing the baby out you wouldn't have had any pants on but what about a top/bikini/tankini etc and what about before the pushing began?

I'm planning on being in the pool for most of my labour and birth but I don't know whether to get my kit off as soon as I arrive or not?

What's usual?

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Flisspaps · 15/03/2013 16:46

I wore a bra.

Sticklebug · 15/03/2013 16:48

I wore a massive nighty that I bought for a few pounds in Primark. It was perfect as it sort of floated around and preserved my dignity (well as much as you can have in childbirth!!), but was not uncomfy. Threw it in the bin afterwards...

NellysKnickers · 15/03/2013 16:51

Nope, I was completely starkers, just stripped off and got in, didn't think anything of it. It was lovely and I'm sure the midwife has seen it all before!

WhatAGoat · 15/03/2013 16:51

Bikini top I did get in wearing a nightie over it but it kept touching me!!! So I took it off Grin

dinkystinky · 15/03/2013 16:52

Nope was naked - but was in transition and just didn't care!

SarcasticMrKnowItAll · 15/03/2013 16:53

Top half of a tankini, felt like I wanted to be covered up to start with, pulled it off nearer the end as it was irritating me Smile

rcs19 · 15/03/2013 16:57

Do whatever you're comfortable with. I didn't plan to labour in the pool but it was available so I tried it. I just wore the vest top I was wearing when I arrived at hospital. Somewhere around transition I decided I was too hot and ended up with no clothes on at all, I'm usually much more inhibited!

Original poster
RightUpMyRue · 15/03/2013 16:58

I was thinking a nightie or a t-shirt might get a bit chilly if it gets wet but then isn't submerged?

OP posts:
Flossbert · 15/03/2013 16:58

Starkers first time.

Second time I kept bikini top on until DD2 was imminent then got DH to whip it off so I could have naked cuddles as soon as she was born.

CookieMonster88 · 15/03/2013 17:00

Just my bra, thought I would care what midwife thought of it but was too distracted Smile

Pascha · 15/03/2013 17:16

A big comfy maternity tshirt. I had no real desire to get everything off even though I was at home. It came off afterwards for skin to skin while they waited for the cord to stop pulsing.

Indith · 15/03/2013 17:20

I wore nothing, but then I wore nothing when giving birth on dry land either. Stripping is one of the first signs of labour for me Grin.

Original poster
RightUpMyRue · 15/03/2013 17:26

Quite mixed results really. I'm guessing there is no 'usual' Smile

I should maybe take something to wear in case I want to but just go with the flow and be naked if I feel like it.

OP posts:
Newmum2013 · 15/03/2013 17:49

I've got a tankini top but no idea if I'll wear it or not. Might start off in it but looking at previous comments it might be coming off! Ha

AliceWChild · 15/03/2013 17:51

Totally naked

CheungFun · 15/03/2013 17:51

I was 9cm dilated when I arrived at the hospital so I didn't have time to think so I just got in the pool wearing Dh's t-shirt I'd put on for the journey to the hospital.

If I did it again, a tankini top for swimming would be perfect I think

ICanTuckMyBoobsInMyPockets · 15/03/2013 17:53

I wore a long vest.
It doesn't get cold as the water is so lovely and warm.

TheTiger · 15/03/2013 17:54

I had a lovely tankini top in my bag, but when it came down to it i couldn't get my clothes off and get in that pool fast enough! It was lovely being in the water. I didn't even think about being naked, and DS was cuddled straight into my naked veiny, saggy, pregnant boobs.

Also, you definitely won't get cold, the pool is very warm and the room gets really humid. I had a flannel that DH kept soaking n cold water and squeezing over my neck/shoulders when I was pushing.

Good luck!!

D0G · 15/03/2013 17:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ZuleikaD · 15/03/2013 17:57

I was naked because by that point I'd thrown up four times over everything I'd brought to wear.

monkeysbignuts · 15/03/2013 17:57

I planned on wearing a tankini top however I was in that much pain I got in wearing my Metallica t shirt and socks! The shame of it lol!! My contractions were back to back when I got the hospital and I was only in the pool 45 minutes

stargirl1701 · 15/03/2013 17:59

I wore a tankini top.

scarlettsmummy2 · 15/03/2013 18:11

I wore a full bikini and took the pants off just before I started pushing, baby out in three big pushes!

bumpybecky · 15/03/2013 18:28

dd1 laboured in pool naked, had to get out to transfer to hospital so put some clothes on then!

dd2 & dd3 gave birth in pool naked (twice, not twins!)

ds gave birth in pool still with t shirt and bra on as didn't have enough time to get clothes off!

TheYamiOfYawn · 15/03/2013 18:38

I'd just go with the flow. You get pretty warm in labour. DD was on dry land and I couldn't be bothered taking off my T-shirt. With DS, I flung all my clothes off and jumped into the pool. I found my bra under the fridge a week later.