Did you get up and dressed for midwife home visits after birth?

[Amby1]

Question as above. I'm not sure if you are expected to be up and dressed for these visits or is it okay to be in your pyjamas and even in bed if needs be. Obviously not for all visits, but for the first few is this acceptable?

I was always up, showered and dressed.
The midwife did comment that she was surprised I was dressed because most new mums are normally in their pyjamas when they visit!

You might want to rethink that "obviously". Don't put pressure on yourself. Some days a shower doesn't happen. Mothers coped without showers for centuries :-)

As an aside, I don't shower every day. Don't think that you have to.

I was, but only because it made me feel better to do so.

Yeah but only to lounge wear and very comfy clothes.

Think I’d watched too many episodes of Call the Midwife and I’d be on pins about the house being tidy too 😂

I had to shower every day to keep my stitches clean and, at that point, it seems sensible just to get dressed. Loose comfy clothes obviously but still clothes.

I also quite wanted my stitches checked so I would make an effort to be showered and therefore dressed before she arrived

Mine checked my stitches both times so I was in a nighty for easy access

I had to visit the midwife with my first because of covid, so dressed properly for leaving the house for hospital appointments. My second I had the midwife and HV come to me, and I did get showered but then into loungewear as that was what I was comfy in. I did shower every day post birth as I had stitches that needed keeping clean and I also sweat after birth in the week or so after - I think all the fluid coming out!! I also had the lactation consultant come to me at home about 48 hours post birth but I was on the bed for that one in clean PJs.

Just up and showered and in to fresh comfies. Usually maternity leggings, huge pants and breastfeeding bra and T-shirt. I would have felt really grotty chatting to someone having not showered or changed.

I don't think it's appropriate, unless unwell from birth, to be in bed. The midwife would know if this was the case though so would expect it.

You're generally bleeding heavily into a pad and have leaking breasts so it's nice to shower to feel fresh, even just for yourself.
I did it every morning once baby had fed and had gone back to sleep, nothing special just wash, shave pits, teeth, deo, hair brushed and fresh comfies. It really helped my mental health. I think lolling in bed all day unwashed would have made me feel quite down, but that's personal and I appreciate not the same for everyone.

I had my breastfeeding pillow set up on the arm chair and a tray with my snacks, water and what ever else I needed, plus a caddy with all babies bits for the day.

I’m one of those people that can’t sit in pyjamas all day. I have to get ‘up’. I used to get up, put the newborn in a Sleepyhead on the bathroom floor after a feed and shower and dress. If they went a bit shouty, I’d put them in a sling, blow dry my hair and stick some make up on. Made me feel accomplished and more inclined to go out and do something.

I was told to go out every single day for sanity and I did. Without fail. For me it was really important. Sitting in a sweaty, unwashed heap under a baby was not for me.

I was in leggings and had one boob out at all times 😂 Dd was a cluster-feeding fiend at a few days old. Midwife didn’t care at all.

I always had a shower and got dressed every day, I think I was in the shower about an hour after dc 2 was born. Even if I'm ill, I shower, and then in to casual clothes. I just feel worse in myself if I don't shower/get dressed. It makes me feel depressed. I'm sure the midwife won't be bothered. I'm a District nurse, and we see all sorts of people in various clothes/pyjamas. Doesn't matter as long as the person is happy.

I was up and dressed because I wanted to be. Midwife first time told me to stay in bed all hlthe next day which I had no desire to do and didn't.

But there's nothing wrong with being in pyjamas and being in bed if that's what you want to be

I made sure I was up and showered and had comfortable loungewear on. X

No because I never knew when they were arriving, I did shower everyday but sometimes it wasn't before lunch. Once the HV showed up at about 9am and I was breastfeeding in bed, she came up and sat with me, it was actually really nice 🤣

no not for my first dc
i cant remember subsequent

Luckily with my first I felt great afterwards so was always up and dressed but my last we were in hospital for 10 days after and I didn't get dressed unless we were getting visitors 😂 it's fine either way, do what works best for you

My midwife only visited on the 2nd day after birth, I’d had a section and stayed in 24 hours. I was very tender and had had quite a wobble with the belly jabs you have to do in yourself for the anticoagulant so I was glad to see her and let her do it and show me again. I’d managed some makeup and a smocked maxi dress though and looked presentable. Day four I had to hobble into the hospital for my appointment! Went to the local for a quick drink after though since they’d made me go out anyway. I must admit that if DH hadn’t taken care of all the night feeds and let me sleep so well I doubt I’d have felt quite so chipper. When he went back to work 2 weeks later my wound looked great, I’d stopped bleeding etc but I felt worse than in the first few days ! I was beyond shattered and tearful and sort of festered on the couch for a week then before getting my act together.

I was always up, showered and dressed purely for my own comfort. By “dressed” I mean maternity leggings, feeding bra and some king of baggy button down shirt with my hair brushed and flung in a pile on top of my head. I never had a time for any visits - some were at 8.30am and some late afternoon but I’ve always been an early riser so was usually up and dressed by 7ish anyways.
She did once arrive when I’d just gone into the bathroom to go to the loo. I pulled down my knickers and a blood clot the size of a chicken breast fell out of me 🤷🏻‍♀️🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 she let herself into the house and joined me in the bathroom to examine the clot. It was quite the bonding experience 🤣🤣 Don’t have too high expectations of yourself post-birth….it’s a shit show 🤣

I'd showered and switched into new pyjamas, but was definitely wearing a dressing gown when they visited :)

I was always showered but would just wear baggy comfy clothes (usually maternity still). No make up or anything like that. I showered every morning though, it's just how I always start the day.

I was showered but in something like leggings so not exactly dressed

Only ever in knickers, feeding bra, breast pads and unwashed hair, sat in bed and usually tearful - it was a heatwave, I was fresh out of NICU and surviving one minute to the next. They were always so kind and not a single judgement, only there to support.

I would always shower and get dressed but more so to make myself feel a bit better after a full night of bleeding, leaking etc.
I'd do this every morning though whether we were having visitors or not.
I'd never judge anyone that didn't and I'm sure that none of my midwives would have cared either way.
We had daily visits from the health visitor with my 3rd for nearly a month as he had feeding problems, she has now seen more of my boobs than dp has.
They're really not phased by anything, do whatever makes you feel comfortable when the time comes

I wish the midwife would have come to us postpartum but sadly I was told I had to go to them. 36 hours after giving birth I was dressed and driving to the appointment as my partner doesn't drive. Not the most comfortable experience!