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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

What did you wear during a water birth?

46 replies

Gingernut81 · 16/08/2015 17:55

Hi, I'm expecting my first child in about 5 weeks so trying to get my bag sorted. I just wondered what people wore during a water birth? I'd been thinking t-shirt/nightie but then someone pointed out that might be impractical for skin to skin contact straight after. Would a tankini top be any good or alternatively I wondered about a large mans shirt?

OP posts:

Yukky · 16/08/2015 19:55

Nothing both times. And I am usually a giant prude.

LibrariesGaveUsPower · 16/08/2015 20:02

First time bikini top. Only cos I thought I might be having to get in and out a lot and could just bung a towel round my waist.

Second time starkers.

Agree if you want clothes a vest or tankini top is best. Folds of wet fabric sticking to you is horrid - flashbacks to my lifesaving lessons on swimming

LibrariesGaveUsPower · 16/08/2015 20:05

Naked was fine. Did not cross my mind at all. I tend to be on my knees and kneeling forward (could not dream of lying back like I've seen people on OBEM) and room was dimly lit. Best view was probably of my arse and you can't help that much since it's so close to the exit.

ChazzerChaser · 16/08/2015 20:06

Nothing and I'm usually the one faffing about with towels in changing rooms to hide myself getting changed . Was naked most of the time and not the least bit bothered.

Topsy34 · 16/08/2015 20:06

Ha intended to be naked but when i got in i had a vest top on and didnt take it off

wheresthedummy · 16/08/2015 20:10

Agree with others - I had packed a bikini top but when it came down to it, it didn't occur to me to put it on. Most likely you'll be naked and be absolutely fine with it.

applecore0317 · 17/08/2015 21:18

I took a tankini but ended up getting in in a sleep crop top that I was already wearing. Then ended up wearing nothing... as others said, dignity was left at the door

Indomitable · 17/08/2015 21:51

I didn't feel undignified though. I don't think being naked during labour and birth has anything to do with dignity. It felt entirely normal to me. I didn't want to be clothed. Maybe part of the animal brain that you retreat into during labour? Or is this just me?

Wolfiefan · 17/08/2015 21:54

Maternity bra! I stripped off to get in the pool but never thought of putting something on to cover me.
My labour was back to back and DH poured water over my back. The MW used a handheld device to listen in. A shirt would have got in the way and annoyed me.

ohthegoats · 17/08/2015 21:59

Nothing. From the minute I arrived at hospital I was naked... clothes pissed me off, and I didn't care less.

LibrariesGaveUsPower · 17/08/2015 22:03

Indomitable - me too. It would no more have occurred to me to find a bikini with DC3 than it would to put on some.mascara and gloss before getting in.

MrsPigling · 17/08/2015 22:13

for #2 and then #3, nothing

for #4 socks as it was all a bit last minute and there wasn't really time to get them off....

Stars66 · 17/08/2015 22:17

Well I had a tankini in my bag and for the life of me would have never thought of going naked... But the time came and naked I got! Not sure why or how but that's what happened and I have the pics to prove it!
It's such a natural way to go, my modesty was out of the window!
Good luck!!

debbiewells21 · 17/08/2015 22:41

ditto with nakedness.

At the time it felt right and I wasn't thinking about what to wear. I was in the zone of focusing on the next contraction the whole time.

It's only now that I look back at the photos that I think I wish I was wearing a tank top or vest but I wouldn't change it for the world.

The water birth was just so perfect for me.

RatOnnaStick · 17/08/2015 23:08

I wore the same baggy soft maternity tshirt in both labours, the first by accident, the second in the water by design. I really wanted the link to both times. After DS2 was born in the water I took it off to nurse him.

I use it now as a PJ top.

bretonstripedmum · 17/08/2015 23:17

Just a maternity bra. I think. Maybe nothing actually. Honestly I cannot remember. It just wasn't important.

Runningupthathill82 · 18/08/2015 06:25

Bikini top for a bit, then nothing. I had the lights down low, soft music on, felt very comfortable naked.

Take alternative clothes though, in case you have to get out of the pool and be transferred.

I had to put a t shirt and pyjama bottoms on to be transferred out of the pool room. Was not a pleasant experience.

RolyPolierThanThou · 18/08/2015 06:35

I can't even remember. I think I was naked and although I don't like nudity (I'm quite body shy) I didn't much care at the time. I think the high levels of oxytocin make you feel trust and takes that anxiety away.

If you don't want to be naked (I.e. there might be photos) id advise putting on your tankini well in advance of getting to the hospital, so during the early, easy contractions when you're still at home. Otherwise itd just be too much of a faff and you won't care by that point.

Jacobsmummy13 · 20/08/2015 13:27

I started with just a bra but it annoyed me when it was wet so i ended up taking it off. I stopped worrying about midwife seeing my boobs when she started using a torch and mirror underwater to see what was happening. I dont think she looked at my boobs once. And then i was ready for skin to skin contact when he arrived!
Water births are amazing things i have to say! Good luck to all mummys with one planned!

Satura · 20/08/2015 13:59

I wore a bikini top, had bought it especially for my daughter's birth as I'm normally quite shy about my body - it didn't stay on long though as the straps irritated me and by the time I'd been in labour long enough to get into the pool I had absolutely no concerns about being naked from the waist down.

I remember shortly after her birth the midwife took her to check her weight etc and told me to take my time getting out of the pool and to just ease out when I was ready. A couple of minutes later I was standing in the middle of the room completely naked and covered in blood like something from a horror film with absolutely no concern for how I looked and totally mesmerised by the wonderful baby I'd just given birth to.

I'd say if you feel on the shy side take whatever you'd feel most comfortable wearing at first but when the time comes you likely won't care what you wear too much. Waterbirths are fantastic though and really worked as pain relief for me; I'm 9 weeks pregnant with number 2 and hoping for exactly the same delivery this time around. :) xx

duckyneedsaclean · 20/08/2015 14:05

Nothing for the first, because I hadn't considered a water birth till the MW asked of I'd like to try. Brought an old bikini top for the second.

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