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Childbirth

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

What to wear during labour?

103 replies

MiracleBaby2022 · 21/01/2022 17:15

I'm just packing my hospital bag and wondering if the two huge t-shirt/dresses type things I bought were the right choice. Should I have bought the button-down-front ones instead so they can lay the baby directly on my skin straight after birth?

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foxgoosefinch · 21/01/2022 21:17

As others have said, you’ll likely take it off and be naked anyway! I can’t quite remember how I ended up naked, but by that point you literally do not care, you kind of go into yourself and your bodily experience (especially if you have G&A), and minor things like being butt naked in front of everyone or having a poo just barely register 🤣🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

MiracleBaby2022 · 21/01/2022 21:17

@AColdDuncanGoodhew 😂 😂 good memories!

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MiracleBaby2022 · 21/01/2022 21:18

@Scubalubs87 oh gosh yes that seems unusually fast for a first birth!

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MiracleBaby2022 · 21/01/2022 21:20

@ArtfulScreamer I can imagine my huge t-shirt thingies will feel way too hot very quickly. Adding some spaghetti strapped things to my list!

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MiracleBaby2022 · 21/01/2022 21:22

@Sideswiped I have 2 huge ones for labour, but might add one more. I'm being induced so I'm thinking I'll be in for a while...

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MiracleBaby2022 · 21/01/2022 21:23

@foxgoosefinch I can imagine 😂

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yaboreme · 21/01/2022 21:24

Cami nightie.... spaghetti straps, it's super warm on the wards.

In all honesty, I believe I was handed a gown on entry to the ward? But by that point I was already having major contractions so don't remember a lot....think I'd been in Labour for a while and not realised!

As PP said you sort of go into yourself and your body is like 'right, let's do this' you won't be overly worried about what you are wearing for the event, however make sure you have something comfortable and cool for after

Daffodil
Oatsamazing · 21/01/2022 21:25

I bought a large black t-shirt from primark but never wore it, started in the birthing pool in my bra then things slowed down so just bra and a sheet for the rest of it. I think I would have worn the t shirt if I had been induced so labour started in hospital but I didn't go in until I was 8cm dilated so was ready for the pool.

MiracleBaby2022 · 21/01/2022 21:30

I'm being induced and I'm high risk (older FTM and underlying health condition) so I'm anticipating being in for a while i.e I'm thinking I'll need a fair few clothes, changes of clothes etc.

Got 2 huge t-shirts for labour and 2 of these (see pic) dresses for after birth, plus the oversized PJ's, but will add some cami/spaghetti thingies too I think for labour, and a button down PJ for after.

My hospital bag is huge 🙈

What to wear during labour?
What to wear during labour?
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Whatelsecouldibecalled · 21/01/2022 21:36

I planned to wear a button down shirt. The reality was I was butt naked and couldn't give a shit. Baby when straight to chest. They covered us over with a blanket.

oneconcernedmama · 21/01/2022 21:36

I went to hospital in pjs, took a nighty and a bikini for the pool to labour in and ended up naked. Honestly once your in the flow of it you couldn't care less.

Jinglemychristmasbells · 21/01/2022 21:38

First two births I wore what ever I was wearing to get to the hospital had no time to change they come very fast.
3rd birth during COVID I was given a hospital gown and told I must wear that and shower before giving birth I didn't have time to shower baby wanted out so I ended up being naked.

foxgoosefinch · 21/01/2022 21:50

I would say for after the birth, that I took some nursing dresses/nighties a bit like the ones you posted, and some tops and pyjamas, but quickly realised (I was in for 5 days) that they were impractical - the postnatal ward is a constant 25 degrees+, and if you have any instrumental intervention or an episiotomy, you need to lie on a pad airing your poor bits as much as possible afterwards, so pyjamas aren’t great - even if you’re just a bit bruised, you need easy access for the loo, esp to change lochia pads.

I’d say fitted dresses and tops aren’t great either because they are hot and constricting. (And you probably will want to stay in nightwear.)

The absolute best thing for afterwards, I think, would have been an old fashioned cotton nightie with buttons all the way down, ending abut mid calf. The kind I remember my mum wearing in the 1980s! Plus a light (but not tight fitting) cardigan just in case you need a cover up. And well fitting slippers and some cheap rubber flip flops that you won’t mind throwing away afterwards - the hospital floors aren’t great, and you may want some grip on your feet going to the shower.

I packed loads for the labour - fluffy bed socks, playlists on an iPod, the whole shebang - and the only things I got out of my case during labour were the tens machine and a bottle of water with a straw. Conversely I hadn’t really thought enough about the hospital stay afterwards, and I didn’t have lots of stuff I could really have done with! I felt kind of foolish actually.

MsSquiz · 21/01/2022 21:52

I went into hospital wearing a vest, leggings and a shirt and gave birth in just the vest. The midwife just helped lift my vest so I could have skin to skin with dd and she was lovely and snug.

Flickflak · 21/01/2022 22:03

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Asiama · 21/01/2022 22:10

I took two nighties with me. They were short sleeved and massive, buttons going down to my tummy. One was for during labour and one was for after showering. They were perfect.

Sideswiped · 21/01/2022 23:33

To echo what @foxgoosefinch said, it's boiling in the post-natal ward. So much so that I opened a window because the heat was ridiculous. Make sure you have a thin nightie (or other clothes for after the birth) and some layers. Sorry if that adds to your bag! Grin

MiracleBaby2022 · 22/01/2022 00:29

@oneconcernedmama @Whatelsecouldibecalled I'm sure I'll be the same - I've just got the two cheap t-shirts but am totally prepared for them coming off!

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MiracleBaby2022 · 22/01/2022 00:35

@foxgoosefinch I'm glad everyone's been saying about the heat because I hate heat and hot rooms! I didn't actually buy any of the dresses or the PJ I mentioned earlier specifically for the hospital, they're just stuff I've been wearing while pregnant. I was hoping I wouldn't need to buy any more stuff (it's been stressing me out a bit) but as I am very hot normally anyway I've already been thinking those dresses probably won't be any good. So I think I'll take your (and everyone else's) advice of getting something light and loose with buttons for after birth. Thanks for your help 🙏

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MiracleBaby2022 · 22/01/2022 00:38

@Flickflak a hospital gown would certainly save some stress and as you say: mess! 🙏

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MiracleBaby2022 · 22/01/2022 00:40

@Asiama sounds perfect! May I ask where you got yours from? There's just so many on the market I'm getting dizzy looking at them all!

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MiracleBaby2022 · 22/01/2022 00:42

@Sideswiped my bag is already so big it looks like I'm going on an expedition, I don't think another couple of items would make any difference 😆

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beanbaghashtag · 22/01/2022 07:57

Just a bra in the end, got so hot both times one summer, one winter. Honestly I'm no exhibitionist and my DH kept trying to cover me up but I was so hot and uncomfortable with anything on or him touching me.

Therealrealitystar · 22/01/2022 08:04

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Asiama · 22/01/2022 09:44

[quote MiracleBaby2022]@Asiama sounds perfect! May I ask where you got yours from? There's just so many on the market I'm getting dizzy looking at them all! [/quote]
Mine were about 20 years old so you can't buy them anymore, but were similar to this. They were two sizes bigger so nice and flowing, and not constricted. I also liked that they were long so I didn't need to worry about exposing myself if I had to get into any funny positions, especially on the post labour ward. Not that you should have to worry anyway! The buttons were great for putting baby inside my nightie on my chest and doing them back up, so he could sleep on my chest.

If you get something with buttons, make sure they go down far enough. I bought a nightie recently from M&S and wish it had a few more buttons as it's a bit challenging to breastfeed.

https://m.shein.co.uk/Half-Button-Contrast-Piping-Nightdress-p-3712266-cat-2209.html?urlfrom=ukadplasw2106198133905577XS&gbraid=0AAAAADm0yO7Fe6h4BCx5jNI6qTV901c2H&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIueGGkofF9QIVU4BQBh2vAgHEAQYCSABEgLLJJD_BwE&ref=www&rep=dir&ret=m