clothes for water births

[daisystone]

Would you advise taking a bikini top to the hospital even if you have not really thought about a water birth? I am sure I don't want one, but equally, if I decide last minute that it might help, is it best to have a suitable top or does it not matter what you wear? I'd rather not go topless.

This sounds a bit dumb written down but there you go...

Valid point, but completely up to you. A tankini/bikini would be a good idea, or maybe a cheap strappy top?

I replied to something similar to this last night. I used the birthing pool for about 6 hours when I had DD, but didn't stay in for the actual birth. Anyway, when I got stripped down to get into my 'labour clothes' (DH's manky old tshirt) I couldn't be bothered putting anything back on. Got distracted with contractions and what happened next.

I would say wear whatever makes you feel comfortable at the time. You don't want to be worrying about what you're in when you're there.

I went nekkid your fanjo is going to be out anyway, so why worry about your boobs FWIW I'm the shyest, most prudish person ever, but the water makes you feel covered up IYSWIM

I used a cheap vest top, was ideal really although I don't really think you will mind what you have on!!

clothes last thing on my mind. went in naked like Its... says boobs are te last thing to consider when that bit is on display.

I'd just take a big t-shirt or whatever you were planning to labour in - you could always wear it in the pool (or go naked).

I've had 3 waterbirths and was naked for all of them

By the time they let me get in the pool I really didn't give a flying you-know-what about what I was or wasn't wearing

Didnt contemplate a water birth with DS2 but had one - went in naked. You could go in wearing just a bra if you're worried about modesty or a vest top.

I took a bikini top...and never used it.

It was off with the nightie I'd got changed into first at the hospital and straight in the pool with nowt on.

It really is the last thing on your mind. My community midwife popped in for "a few contractions" to say hello as she was in the hospital at the time and I must have totally forgotten I didn't have any clothes on as I yapped away to her, quite the thing (inbetween contractions, obviously ).

The water makes you feel 'covered up', but I would take something anyway, just in case.

I wore one of those vests with hidden support. Even though this was at home and completely private, I didn't feel comfortable naked.

I'm planning on a tankini and if I have to get out (go to the loo etc) have a very short sarong to wrap round. Appreciate that come the day I may not care two hoots about any of this, but it makes me feel better now to know that I will have the option to be covered up if I want to. I've heard some women say not to wear a cotton vest or t-shirt in the pool, because the water soaks into it and then you get chilly. This doesn't happen so much if it's "proper swimwear". But this is DC1, so I have no experience of this and don't know whether it is an issue.

I had a t-shirt which I planned to wear as I am really not a person who does nudity but what actually happened was I whipped it off before I got in. The midwife said "you don't need to be naked you know" and I just about grunted at her!

The only way I can explain it is to say I needed everything out of my way and like others have said the water stops you feeling to exposed.

Good luck. However you do it I fully recommend a water birth. It was a lovely experience.

too