Not being naked during labour

[Ashchall95]

Hi everyone FTM here!
I know everyone says once your in labour you won't care or notice i but I know and my only birth wish or plan is that I won't be naked at any point, I have bought some button up nighties and oversized T-shirts, I know they are going to get ruined and thrown away I am more than happy with that, I just want to ask was you forced or put in any situation that you had to take everything off? Or are the midwives happy for you to remain with a nightie on? Obviously my bottom half will be bare which I'm fine with I just don't want everything out at once! If I let the midwives know I would like to remain covered were possible are they happy to make sure this happens? Then once baby is born I will just undo my buttons for skin to skin and then shower later and put fresh pyjamas or clothes on?

Seconding anyone who says that healthcare staff are very familiar with the needs for modesty for some faith or cultural groups so they should be able to assist you with your wishes.

I gave birth in a short sun dress like the one pictured. I had PJs/nighties etc with me, but was comfortable in it so just didn't take it off. I packed it so that I could walk around the ward etc (pre covid) easily and covered. It wasn't a new dress so I wasn't bothered if it got ruined, but it really didn't and I still wear it now. It was really easy to pull down for skin to skin after.

I've had two and despite my best intentions I ended up naked both times. Lord knows why, I don't even wear skirts in summer I'm so body conscious so it wasn't my intention. I think it has something to do with having an epidural both times, they need access to your lower back and they ask you to remove your top so they can place it properly. I guess I was too far gone to put anything back on?

This time I'm going to buy some bandeau tops so I can at least cover part of myself. Will let you know how that turns out!

No one will ask you to remove your upper clothing, don't worry.
I was naked for mine, but only because I tore them off in a hot, sweaty and frustrated pushing mode.
I had bought a beautiful nightdress that ended up ripped to bits. ☹️

I wore a stretchy nighty for my first and then started with my second in t-shirt/leggings but ended up in a hospital gown as they both got soaked when my waters broke, plus I was having an epidural so the gown gave easier access for the anaesthetist. There's no need at all to be naked if you don't want to be.

I do obstetric anaesthetics so see a lot of women to put in epidurals. Very few are totally starkers - most have some kind of vest top/crop top/baggy t-shirt on. In my current hospital you don't have to remove these for an epidural - just have it rolled/taped up out of the way while we're putting it in - but I have worked in at least one trust where they strongly recommended to change into a gown if you were having one. Still your choice though.

I've been spending too much time reading the transgender stuff, took me a moment to realise what FTM actually stood for!

I wore button up nighties, didn't have to be naked, I had to be induced so brought a dressing gown for schlepping round the hospital.

It's weird what can worry you, but I felt the same about potential nudity. Anyway all the best for you, and your little one.

I've had 3 (but only 2 labours, middle was ELC)
No one tried to get me to get naked!
I would have minded.

Midwives ime are fantastically open minded and will let you do whatever makes you comfortable as long as it doesn’t endanger the baby.

If you’re worried about anything specific then chat to your own midwives. There’s a lot of stories on the internet that are from different places, cultures and even times.

I went into labour with the impression that I was going to have to fight for my/baby’s right to things. And sadly there are unscrupulous people running businesses that prey on naivety and fear (some hypnobirthing practitioners spring to mind)

I've never been naked in labour. No need to be.

I chose to wear their gowns. Preferred to dirty theor stuff than mine. Changed into a nightie once everything was ship shape.

I gave birth wearing a Def Leppard t-shirt. I was in and out of the pool so I had a big pile of baggy t-shirts to change into as and when, but DH kept the Def Leppard one back until the end because he new it was my favourite (not that I cared at that point!!). Nobody asked me to get naked at any point whatsoever.

I was naked for my first birth but for my second I was induced and wore a dress. Kept it on with the monitor on, it only came off when it needed to be cut off 2 minutes before baby was born. It was replaced with a hospital gown.

I was in labour for a long time (induction) and I wasn’t naked apart from when I had a bath for an hour in the middle and then about an hour before (finally) giving birth I turned into the Incredible Hulk, tore my clothes off and marched around naked shouting. Which must have been quite entertaining for the midwife!

I’ve been through it four times and never naked. (Even in the pool)

I believe Posh Spice gave birth in a T-shirt and a sparkly hair clip (it’s in her book and for some reason has ingrained on my memory).

I wore DP’s T-shirt, then a hospital gown. From what I remember I was asked about everything: from vaginal exams to drugs. They’re no more going to shove the gas and air on you than they are going to make you be naked. Try not to worry!

I had a maternity nightie that I wasn't too bothered about and one to get changed into after.

Definitely no nudity involved and only DH and the midwife were at the business end.

I wore a Primark t-shirt which was too big. It went in the bin afterwards.

I had a MW who seemed insistent I changed out of what I arrived in into my nightie but never naked. I guess I pulled it further up for skin to skin but by that time, they'd pulled a sheet up over me.

I wasn't naked for epidural with DS1 either. I had a gown on with a back fastening. I must have got into it at some point but I couldn't tell you when or how.

I know I never felt vulnerable in the labour suite though. They were lovely. If a little odd for ds2 about nighties!

Midwife here! Women are often clothed- even in the birthing pool. As long as bottoms are off you can wear whatever makes you comfortable.

Yes you can wear clothes. Not sure why you think they need to be binned after? What are you planning to do to them!?! My clothes got washed and worn again (maybe not the clothes I'd wear in public as chosen for comfort not style!)

I am smiling at some of the more LORD NO, GOOD GOD! sounding responses on here.

I couldn’t stand the feel of my clothes and kept taking them off as my midwife desperately tried to keep me covered. That was totally out of character for me. They will do all they can to support you keeping dignity.

Wear what you’re comfortable in on top.
I will say, I went in with your intention but was SO HOT towards the end the top and bra were cast aside without a second thought! 😅 nobody cared, and neither did I by that point! Good luck.

Retired midwife here- I don’t ever remember a woman giving birth completely naked! (I delivered more than 500 babies) 😊

@User2638483

No need to be naked unless you’re in a birthing pool! Done it 3 times and never naked. Infact each time I had day time clothes on just bottoms off, as just never got round to changing into a nightie and things suddenly started moving quickly.

You don’t even need to be naked in the pool. I kept my bra on.

I’ve heard of people wearing tankini type tops in the north pool.