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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

What to wear to give birth in?

54 replies

TeacupTempest · 04/11/2011 12:54

Probably a ridiculous concern but I cannot decide what I should wear to actually give birth in.

I have PJs for after the event but clearly cant do the actually deed in them!

What is everyone else doing?

Clearly I need to get out more!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

StetsonsAreCool · 04/11/2011 14:20

Sorry freckled, missed your post

Sparklingbrook · 04/11/2011 14:20

It won't matter at the time. You will have your beautiful new baby whatever you decide to wear/not wear.

Deliaskis · 04/11/2011 14:24

I just wore a vest top in the pool, nothing else, and then put on pjs after I had had a shower afterwards.

Re bleeding afterwards, as per BelleRomford got enormous pants from Primark equivalent instead of disposables, and also as reallytired mentioned protecting your bed afterwards, you could get a mattress cover, or do what I did which is a pack of those pampers disposable change mats - they're exactly the same as the conti sheets they use in hospitals and do the job and can just be thrown afterwards.

LadyMontdore · 04/11/2011 14:24

Another naked one here! First time I wore an old tea short and bed socks though.

suburbandream · 04/11/2011 14:26

Oversized t-shirt did it for me - although I think I may have got v.hot and taken it off, at least for DS2 which was a quick and sweaty birth . I DO remember I was wearing my comfy red pants when I went into hospital with DS1 because I had an epidural and the anaesthetist (SP?) came in and said "those are the biggest pants I've ever seen!" . I think he was just trying to lighten the tone as things were a bit tense at that point

Sparklingbrook · 04/11/2011 14:27

I really wish someone had told me about all the bleeding afterwards. I would have taken some of those Pampers changing mats with me. It was more than I had expected.

RedHotPokers · 04/11/2011 14:27

Naked in the pool for DD (can't remember taking my clothes off but must have done!).
In the clothes I was wearing for DS, minus the trousers and pants that were whipped off seconds before DS popped out!

Both times I quite pointless packed a few nice nighties !

CatherineWheel · 04/11/2011 14:29

Nothing!

MildlyNarkyPuffin · 04/11/2011 14:29

Big, loose cotton nightshirt. Buy a couple from Primark or Matalan.

Or if you're worried about being seen naked, a paper bag for your head

LondonToEdinburghExpress · 04/11/2011 14:30

For labour I wore a pair of DHs boxers and a vest top with a hidden support panel for my huge pg boobs. It was insanely warm in the labour suite so any more and I would have boiled. For birth I just took off the boxers and wore the vest top. I did the same the second time too.

I stayed in overnight with my first (straight home after 2nd) and after the birth I had a bath and then put on a nightie, I'd had to buy it to take in with me because I wouldn't normally wear one. The advice I'd had on MN was for one with buttons down it to undo them to easily breastfeed in the night and it was great advice.

Sparklingbrook · 04/11/2011 14:32

Yay-another one who wore theirs DH's pants London

TimothyClaypoleLover · 04/11/2011 14:42

Loving the paper bag for your head!!

Definitely buy big knickers from Primark. Much cheaper and much more comfy than disposal ones that they tell you to get.

StetsonsAreCool · 04/11/2011 14:59

Oh, and for the bed mats afterwards, if you're awake while the nurses change the beds in the hospital, keep an eye open for where they keep the disposable mats

They were in a cupboard next to my bed. I've still got a couple left, I packed that well when I came home

LondonToEdinburghExpress · 04/11/2011 15:00

Def only take in knickers that you are prepared to throw away later, either disposable ones or cheap ones you don't mind chucking.

banana87 · 04/11/2011 16:51

Isn't that what hospital gowns are for?

voodoomunkee · 04/11/2011 17:05

The top from pj's. This time I have an old nightie. And a new one. No way could I give birth naked! I also have a vest top should I wish to go in the birth pool. Don't know if I just don't 'switch off' enough to strip or what! Plus I've found am cold after delivery.

HerdOfTinyElephants · 04/11/2011 17:09

I was still in my knickers when I started pushing with DD2 (had been 2cm dilated about 20 minutes previously so hadn't thought about clothing options.

grumpykat · 04/11/2011 17:16

Another naked one here. I have no idea when I decided to take my clothes off, but I was naked when I (finally) gave birth!

MandaHugNKiss · 04/11/2011 17:32

All three times I was in just my bra (which was promptly whipped off straight after the birth to latch the baby on). The first two times I started in a nightie too (both post tem inductions), but that came off as thing got going.

The third time I went into labour naturally. By the time I got to the hospital cx were so thick and fast it was all I could do to get my clothes off in the precious few seconds between them to be examined and then give birth (1hr 20mins after arriving).

I'm not particually shy about my body but likewise I'm no extrovert. However, I seem to feel most comfortable all but naked once the show gets going

hairylights · 04/11/2011 18:05

I've bought a cheap, large nightie from primark. It's above the knee so private enough to feel "covered" while not actually giving birth. It has pretty owls on it :)

Rollon2012 · 04/11/2011 18:21

I couldnt imagine anything worse that giving birth naked! I had a big nightie

CatherineWheel · 04/11/2011 18:23

I bought nighties, rollon, but the room was just too damn hot! I stripped off on arrival. In my defence, I was at the magic 10cm, no pain relief and not thinking straight! Am a prude out of the delivery suite, but even my hairband annoyed me in there!

Rollon2012 · 04/11/2011 18:26

im far too prudy , I couldnt even have my bra off, I have a leopard sking push up bra on MW was like ooo this is a sexy bra for shame

LikeACandleButNotQuite · 04/11/2011 20:08

I have a 10year old giant t-shirt with Frankie Say Relax on it a friend had made for me for my 16th Bday. Its faded and knackered and I was about to throw it when I found out I was pg. I intend to wear that. Its a real 'comfort blanket' clothing and love the idea of trying to Relax

Then, Ill throw it after the delivery. Finally it will have given up!

blueeyedmonster · 04/11/2011 20:38

At some point I ended up with a hospital gown on. I'm not sure how this happened or when. I assume just after I arrived at the hospital being 10cm...............I remember seeing my clothes on the floor and a midwife taking my jumper off for me. I think they had undressed me and managed to get the gown on somehow!

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