What to wear in labour?

[sazzybee]

Apologies in advance if this is a very stupid question. All the pregnancy books I've got say to wear an old t-shirt. Thing is, I'm so massive that any of my old t-shirts are never going to cover my fanjo and bum.

Obviously if I'm in the throes of labour, that's not much of an issue but if I'm walking around in the early stages, I'd like something a bit longer.

What did you wear? And do you just bin it afterwards or wash it and wear it again?!

just what i was wearing anyway for first stage

though did take my tights off after a bit

then into pool (naked obv) and it all happened pretty quickly anyway

(did I ever find tights again? can't remember)

Saggy old t-shirt both times - the second time I wore one that has a pic of a seahorse on the front, as a reminder that not every female has to go through labour.

Can't remember what I wore the first time, probably a baggy nightie/tshirt type thing.

2nd time when I went in the midwife got me to put on a hospital gown and I just wore that even though I told her I had my own baggy nightie with me, but was in so much pain I couldn't be bothered arguing.

cocktail dress and statement earrings.

the statement being 'get this thing outta me...'

Couture Alexander McQueen.
I think I was naked both times actually, nice flannel pjs and socks after is more important
Hope it goes well

dior. or at a push (arf), vivian westwood. and do remember to accessorise.

the westwood bustle is approved by the NCT as the extra fabric and framing actually precludes giving birth on your back.
you do look like you've got a baby up your arse though... but then that's how it feels during labour so it's all highly appropriate.

I wore my normal maternity clothes in early labour, then I had a waterbirth so was naked. Afterwards they gave me a bedsheet to cover up to get to the shower, then I put on my mum's nightie with button down the front.

And I took my glasses off because I was boiling hot and they kept slipping down my nose. Handy though as it stopped me watching the clock. Well I could watch it, but all the times seemed the same!

agree aitch, on westwood bustle. v appropriate.

agree too with baby up arse sensation. i clearly remember describing the feeling next day after my (incredibly 'easy' straightforward, quick, water, first birth) as something akin to having been violated vigorously up the back passage with a cricket bat.... not that id know what that feels like...honest guv lol

Arrived at hosp in joggers and maternity t-shirt. Don't know at what point it all came off, but am mortified that I was starkers when they stitched me up after (took over an hour) and no-one suggested covering me with a sheet even tho' I was freezing! I was in such shock I didn't know what was going on...
I am one of those no-one ever sees me naked kind of girls...

Nothing but a smile (forced, natch).

Actually I wore a t shirt that said 'HARD' on it first time round (ended up having an emerg. section but the thought was there!). Second time it was a hospital nightgown because it was decided I was to have a section again. But I did buy a really nice set of pjs from M&S that I decided I would bin if I needed to afterwards (Because I'm worth it!!!!!)

Anyone else imagining how Trinny and Suzannah would answer this?

"Darling, just because you're in labour, that's not an excuse to let yourself go. What about this little sparkly shrug and some eye-catching beads?"

Ahem - I was wearing bfeeding nighties from Mothercare at the start of labour, but had an emergency c/s and totally lost the plot on pethedine so don't know what I ended up wearing - hospital gown I think. Couldn't swear to it though...

I bought some cheap nighties from Mothercare which I figured I could bin afterwards but the midwife gave me a gown so I wore that. I remember I was still wearing my knickers and I asked the midwife whether I should remove them. She said I could keep them on, and I have no idea when they eventually did come off (which they surely must have done...).

I have a friend who was naked in the birthing pool, then wanted an epidural. The hospital wanted her to vacate the room with the pool so she wandered down the corridor to her new room completely starkers and utterly oblivious to the people she passed.

Sometimes I think the post birth memory loss we all suffer is a blessing - saves many blushes!

First time - old t shirt, quite long - cared.

Second time - no idea - didn't care!!

Do you know what, I didn't even think about this!
I went to hospital in labour wearing tracksuit bottoms and a not very long t shirt. Very fetching.
I was well into labour when the midwife said 'I think your trousers must come off!'
I ended up with a c section anyway so got to wear a lovely gown which showed off my bum.

When PG with my first I pondered this subject quite a lot and looked, with horror, at the pregnancy books depicting buck- naked women in the throes of childbirth!

I wore a new nighty the first time (1992).. the same (much older and more faded) nighty the second time (1998.. it was sentimental by then; different father, same nighty ) and then again, in 2000.

I didn't and still see that just because you are rolling, writhing and squatting all over the place with your inards hanging out, you have to let your tits hand out too!! Pointless exhibitionism IMO!