Waterbirths - what do you wear?

[Franimal]

Am expecting 2nd baby and midwives now recommending trying a waterbirth, as it wasn't an option for me first time... Sounds a silly question but I'd really like to know what other people wore during a waterbirth? Not sure I'd feel comfortable being totally naked but then I don't know what works best... and then having clingy wet clothes too... what did you do?

I was planning on a waterbirth but didn't get one as I was induced in the end, but i'd bought a maternity tankini to wear, so I could just wear the top in the water. I got it in Mothercare. A friend of mine had a waterbirth and said this was easiest to wear.

I packed a bikini top and wouldn't have imagined I'd be comfortable naked but when it came to it, I couldn't get my clothes off quick enough and get into the pool naked, where I have birth to DS. Instincts just took over I guess!

I didn't wear anything. As Loves said, when it actually came to it, I couldn't have cared less!

Good luck - my water birth was fantastic!

I wore an old vest top that sat above my bump with both of my water births.

I wore a maternity vest top and intend to wear the same again this time.

I just a maternity bra and nightie on as I was pacing the room and then gradually took both off. I didn't really care about being naked at that point and it was nice to not have clothes in the way of skin to skin contact when he was born.

I had one six weeks ago, I was totally naked, just felt right at time! Was past caring really and felt most comfortable naked, you could pack a bikini top just in case though.

oh and water birth was amazing, would totally recommend.

I had a tankini top I wore with my water birth. It wasn't a maternity one. Just in a bigger size.

I bought a tankini which I took in my labour bag but I ended up getting in the pool in the clothes I was wearing when they told me I could get in, and then stripping down to my vest once in - passing dripping wet nightie and socks to DH!

I didn't wear anything in the pool. I had a loose breastfeeding vest to wear once on dry land. Didn't really want to put that on either but the midwives quite insistent!

I'm planning a water birth and I've just got a sports bra to wear in the water..... I've also got a matching vest top and knickers to put on if I find I want to get out of the water + my maternity pyjamas if I get out and feel like wandering around.

Haha, that sounds like I'm taking half my wardrobe,,,, I just want to make sure I've got what I'll feel like wearing when the time comes. But I'm planning on just wearing the bra in the water.

Good luck with it!! :)

You could consider this..

heatherfrancesca.wordpress.com/glabour-birthing-outfit/

Either go naked or wear a non-billowy top or a bikini top and if you feel self-conscious about leaving your bum and bits exposed, wear one of those bikini bottoms that tie up on the sides so they can be whipped off when the time comes.

Nothing.

Honestly, you will be past caring.

Naked as the day I was born. I didn't care in the slightest although for DC2 I will be packing a vest to wear although I might well end up nude again. I did strut through the antenatal ward with just a tea towel on to try and get some help, trust me u wont care!

Same as Frumious - Nothing. I figured I'd be past caring and fine au naturel, and I pretty much was, but looking back maybe I'd have felt more comfortable with some sort of top. Also I wish I'd managed to get my nice cosy dressing gown round me quicker when I did get out (after the birth) as I think I'd have found it comforting.
Water pool was a great help generally though - definitely recommend it
Good luck!

Tankini top. Remember to pack trunks and tshirt for OH, our hospital allows oh to be in the pool too. The Water is so much warmer than I thought it would be!

My birthday suit! Seemed appropriate at the time

Not a stitch

The pool room was quite dark, and I was past caring.

Loved having a water birth, amazing experience :)

Oh yes, my DH was in pool too. Think he must have had his swimming trunks !

I was planning a big T shirt nightie, but all I wanted was to get in the water and be naked. The reality is that the midwives need to examine you, and then later may well help women who want to bf learn how, so they'll see it all anyway. And my birthing partner was DH, so....

I'd play it by ear, but in my experience when you're in labour you stop caring about anything else, so things you think would bother you under normal circumstances just become meaningless.

Oh, and I LOVED the pool. The pain disappeared as soon as I got in, and didn't come back for ages. I only needed that and gas and air, and I fully intended to go for an epidural before labour began. Was brilliant.

Was planning a tankini top too.
However I was quite far when I arrived, in pain do I just got undressed and went in the pool.
I only fully realised I was fully naked a few days later lol.

What I wouldn't do is wearing a tshirt. Best way to get cold tbh.

I wore nothing and my waterbirth was a lovely way to give birth..baby number 1 (I was so keen to have one again I booked a homebirth but baby 2 had other plans and was a hospital non-water delivery..hey ho!