What to wear in labour

[Lilybow]

Hi I'm really unsure what to wear during labour, I can't find any button down nighties in primark and don't want to buy anything expensive as going to just throw it away. Would an extra long bagging strap top do?? I was going to take some nice pyjamas with a button up top for after labour?

Any other must haves i should make sure to pack clothes wise? I'm due next month.

Tk Maxx is great for nighties.

I went naked for my birth, hadn't planned to, but once it was happening I just didn't care.

However, buy all the nighties because you will sweat through 2 a night postpartum.

I thought I’d be all modest but after a few hours I was naked I wanted no clothes on.

Hospital gown during induction and then partners T-shirt after

A maternity bra and a hospital gown. I had an epidural so had to take off the tshirt I had been wearing.
I’d gone in wearing some lounge pants made by virgin active (DS is 17 now). My midwife found it very funny that I was giving birth in trousers marked “Virgin”.

Don't be so sure that you will throw away your birth outfit, though. I had been told the same thing, but honestly, although my clothes got a little bit stained I was able to spray it with a bit of Vanish when I got home, chuck it in the wash and it's fine. Perfectly wearable still. Same with the oversized button down shirt I wore following the birth. Got a tiny bit of blood on that too, but again, a little stain remover and a wash did the trick.

No point chucking away perfectly good clothes.

I took 3 nighties / baggy t-shirts the first time and it wasn't enough. Labour can be a messy business! And it can go on longer than you expect.

The second time round I didn't need them, but good to pack a couple of extras baggy t-shirts in your bag in case you do.

@EdgeOfACoin

Don't be so sure that you will throw away your birth outfit, though. I had been told the same thing, but honestly, although my clothes got a little bit stained I was able to spray it with a bit of Vanish when I got home, chuck it in the wash and it's fine. Perfectly wearable still. Same with the oversized button down shirt I wore following the birth. Got a tiny bit of blood on that too, but again, a little stain remover and a wash did the trick.

No point chucking away perfectly good clothes.

Agree with this. What do people imagine is going to get on your clothes that can't be washed out? I mean sure the star wars tshirt I ended up wearing (didn't get chance to change into the lovely button up nighty I bought) got blood and baby pee all over it but it washed and 6 years later I still wear it for bed.

I certainly wouldn't be buying something with the intention of wearing it only once.

I can't even remember. I think I had a black vest on from primark but it's just a blur now

I meticulously picked out my birthing clothes. Gave birth in my bra😂 it was hot and clothing was annoying me. I went in with a long top and leggings on. Leggings got thrown away in the induction ward and top soon after arriving on to the labour ward. I know it seems like a big issue just now but in the moment you won't care.

I wore a big, loose vest shirt though to be honest at the time it could have been anything haha I had planned an outfit but didn't realise how little I would care at the time, midwife even helped me get changed 😂🙈

I was really hot so I was glad not to have too much. I would recommend the large button up nighties / shirts for after the birth, so handy.

Hospital wards are warm as hell so have cooler wear.
I kept the nightie i was wearing 😂

Something loose and comfy. You could try a baggy long tshirt, nightie, vest top and pyjama bottom/pyjama shorts combo. H&M usually do some nice basics/casual wear. Also take some warm socks, slippers, a dressing gown and lots of big knickers. Good luck.

First birth I was given a hospital gown, probably because of the epidural. Afterwards I wore a nightie because it was so unbelievably hot in the hospital, even in March.

Second birth I was just wearing a dress and leggings. Managed to get the leggings off but DS was in such a hurry I didn't have time for anything else! Wore a nightie in hospital too. It was even hotter that time because it was July!

I kept both nighties, too! Still wear them sometimes.