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 had my maternity sleep top on as I couldn't be bothered putting a bra on in the morning!
Highly recommend a water birth, currently 20+5 with DC2 & really hoping I get the same kind of Labour again (apart from the midwives sending me home when I was in established Labour, can definitely do without that part happening again!)

Good luck!

Nothing and it felt totally fine! It really was a lovely way to give birth. Just remember to let your body do what it will naturally do. Good luck!

Naked!

I had a vest top (worn while pregnant, a primark one several sizes too big). Could not possibly have worn anything at all clingy like a bikini top/bra/tankini - think it would have driven me mad with the contractions. But each to their own. I would not have minded being naked, but just didn't really come up. Dressing gown was a godsend for when I got out though.

I took a tankini top but I actually can't remember whether I wore it or whether I was naked! Like others have said, it's the least of your worries at that point! I got out of the pool for the final stage though so I do actually remember I was naked on the bed when DD was born, but I may have taken a tankini top off, or not worn one! I'll have to ask DH!

Sports bra!

However, more importantly - a big vote for a lovely fluffy dressing gown and cosy socks for when you come out, as you get cold very quick once out the water.

2 waterbirths, fabulous experience! Hope it goes well for you

A gas and air nozzle. That's all.

I sort if had a water birth 3 weeks ago (had to get out for an episiotomy).
I hated the idea of being naked and in a pool. It turned out the pool wax the only thing that helped my back, I initially wore a vest top, but that eventually annoyed me so ended up naked. Once you're in labour you don't give a damn and let's face it dignity is well and truly gone once the midwifes place fingers in places

I have had two water births. First was in hospital, and I wore a tankini top. Second was in my own home and everything was annoying me, including clothes. So I went naked.

Nothing. Only DH and a midwife in the room with me (and midwife was very calm, stayed in the background and said very little for most of my labour - she was great, actually). It was fairly dimly lit and very warm - I'd have felt a bit of a twerp wearing clothes.

Mine was 10 and half years ago when I don't think they were so common. Don't remember worrying about what to take to wear in the pool (was originally only going to use the pool for pain relief but progress was rapid!) and was definately naked for the birth. Actually didn't feel as bad as when I was half dressed for my first birth and showed by nether regions to what felt like most of the hospital! The water birth felt much calmer to me. Good luck!

Nothing at all, I took several options with me but all of them felt annoying when I had them on. I took a thin, short vest top that went above my bump and a bikini top. It just felt less restrictive to wear nothing. I thought I would be embarrassed but it did not even cross my mind when I was in the pool.

Just a bikini top. As soon as I arrived at the hospital I went straight in the pool. I felt more comfortable with a bikini top on - I didn't want to knock myself out with my massive pregnancy boobs bobbing about. Also it gave a happy, holiday feel to the whole event!

Good luck! I hope you have a great experience. I loved my water birth - other deliveries not so much...

Lol @happy holiday feel!

Naked here too.

And I am normally VERY shy, I don't even like communal changing rooms!

But I was in so much pain on the drive to the birth centre, when I heard the pool running, I literally started flinging my clothes off!

The pools quite deep so you'll have privacy. I would think any clothing would be uncomfortable tbh, think having a bath with your clothes on.

Good luck, a water birth is fab. I'll always remember dd floating up to me

Bra but only because I was too occupied with being in labour to manage the little hooky things. Couldn't have cared less about how little I was wearing!

I kept my bra on, despite being very unprudish I really really didn't want to totally naked. This was with DS2 and that may just have been because of my experiences with DS1. Water was great though not sure I could have coped as well on dry land.

Most women wear a bra/vest top, with no nikas or else go naked. Never, ever seen a floaty big t-shirt!

I wore a bra. It came off within about two minutes of being in the pool. Naked is best.

If you wear a bra, does it get in the way of baby to breast?

Tankini. Took the bottoms off when I was quite far along.

I put my tankini top on then promptly took it off and clambered in naked. Didn't give a shiny shite as I was ready to push as soon as I got in.