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Childbirth

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

Original poster

What were you wearing (if anything) when giving birth?

182 replies

Pannacotta · 07/05/2007 23:23

I didn't want to be stark naked last time, made me feel quite exposed/vulnerable and I ended up giving birth in an old dressing gown which I had to hold up around me.
Am hoping for a water birth but in case not does anyone have any suggestions of what to wear which gives a bit of privacy but won't get in the way?
Are eg old, big T shirts any good?

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elkiedee · 09/05/2007 03:20

Actually, I've been corrected. I had to change during labour after my waters broke from purple cat nightie to hospital gown.

earlgrey · 09/05/2007 05:55

I can't remember what I was wearing with either of my labours, and at the time couldn't frankly give a s**t. In fact, come to think of it, that's probably what I was wearing ......

cheritongirl · 09/05/2007 10:03

I had a waterbirth and wore absolutely nothing - TBH if you are in the water you don't really want anything else weighing you down...

thebecster · 09/05/2007 11:35

A baggy grey 'Dawson's Creek' t-shirt Not v. stylish. Waterbirth, but felt comfier 'covered up' on top as well somehow. DP tried to rescue the Tshirt when I threw it in the bin...

kittypants · 09/05/2007 11:39

hosptal gown as 3 csections.

ekra · 09/05/2007 11:41

1st time - baggy nightdress/t-shirt.

2nd time - maternity t-shirt that I was wearing when I arrived at hospital. Just before DD2 was delivered the midwife encouraged me to take it off and afterwards I felt very cold and vulnerable with nothing on. MW didn't even cover me up with a sheet or blanket. I could see far too much when I was being stitched.

PinkTulips · 09/05/2007 11:42

nighty first time but that was awful as had to be monitored so was rucked up around my waist and i felt very exposed. had to strip to bf too which was awkward with a drip in my arm

wore a skirt and string top with ds and that worked perfectly, access to everywhere but good coverage

dressedupnowheretogo · 09/05/2007 11:43

i wore a nighty from laredoute which was a maternity one with bf holes

i had an emergency section and it was pulled right up so didnt need the holes any way

DontCallMeBaby · 09/05/2007 11:45

Mothercare maternity nightie - always makes me laugh to see pictures of friends with newborns from around the same time as I swear we all had the same blinkin' twin-pack of nighties! Thought I was being really clever by wearing the navy one for the birth and the lilac one after, but of course the navy one spent all its time up round my chest and the lilac one got bled all over post-birth.

Mumpbump · 09/05/2007 11:46

Dh's t-shirt. We both liked the idea of me wearing something of his plus there weren't that many things that fit by that time!

LazyWoman · 10/05/2007 19:36

Stark naked for all three - but I was in the hired water tub in the dining room with the lights dimmed so I didn't feel bothered at all.

What is quite a laugh is my dh who took photos of all three events and I've got some really graphic photos of me actually in the process of giving birth - blood and all - as well as some with me breastfeeding the babies in the water with huge boobs on show. There's no way I could show these photos to anyone!

southeastastra · 10/05/2007 19:37

a mickey mouse vest an ex bf had got me. they threw it away

BettySpaghetti · 10/05/2007 19:39

Both times I was wearing one of DP's T-shirts.

chocolatekimmy · 10/05/2007 20:12

Top from Morgan first, think same with second and a top from Next the third time. Nothing on the bottom half. Didn't see the point of changing once I got to hospital

yomellamoHelly · 10/05/2007 20:20

Socks only both times

Kateaw · 10/05/2007 22:08

Pearl ear studs and my wedding ring.

Was wallowing in a warm bath when then first contraction hit (was induced), got out and staggered to the delivery room wrapped in a small towel. Things got really exciting after that and what I was wearing (or not) was right at the back of my mind

Hillls · 10/05/2007 22:11

I wore a white nightie with blue chenieale(sp?) socks with dd1, dd2 I had a c-Section so hospital gown - lurvely

Graffeski · 10/05/2007 22:13

A Vera Wang evening dress and high heels.

SoupDragon · 10/05/2007 22:14

"what to wear which gives a bit of privacy but won't get in the way?"

I wore a Mothercare maternity vest. It was perfect.

Hathor · 10/05/2007 22:15

Ha ha.
Why would you care. All dignity is gone.

EllieKthePA · 10/05/2007 22:18

big nightshirt, t-shirt style, has my star sign on, found it when pg with ds1 then wore it for birth of him and ds2. will never be chucking that one out!

MerryMarigold · 10/05/2007 22:19

i wore a hospital gown. had an outfit all packed, but had lost ability to fight the staff when they gave it to me to put on. also i put it on back to front so baby could be put on my chest and midwife said it was 'indecent' and i needed to have the opening at the back!!!!

GrumpyOldHorsewoman · 10/05/2007 22:27

Another hospital gown here, too (for DD2). Honestly can't remember with DD1 - mind you, I can't remember much about that day at all as I was completely out of it on gas and air, pethidine and latterly an epidural. I do remember vomiting profusely afterwards, though....

Tommy · 10/05/2007 22:28

DS1 - hospital gown as in theatre
DS2 - top and slirt I'd arrived at the hosiptal in - just about got my pants off in time!
DS3 (home birth) - pyjama top with buttons which were all undone so baby could be opur on my chest straightaway (he wasn't - the cord was too chost but that's a whole other story)

I think the old big top with buttons is the best bet

Tommy · 10/05/2007 22:30

top and skirt
baby could be put
cord was too short

must go to bed - am obviously too tired to type