What to wear when giving birth?

[gertrudestein]

... just that really. I get that you might be naked. But what do you wear to go to the hospital? Do you change at some point? Would you recommend a night dress? Or will they give you something to wear?

No way would I give birth in the nude! I get cold shivers towards the end of labour and afterwards for some reason and gave birth twice with my socks on with a pyjama top or button up nightie. I just went into hospital in the clothes I was wearing, luckily never in bed clothes.

With both of mine I just wanted everything off, partly because I was so bloody hot. At the time I didn't give a shit and actually it felt very natural, although if I remember correctly I did keep my socks on...nice.

I hated all clothes when in labour so was totally naked, both in pool and when delivering on bed. Midwife kept trying to cover me up with a towel but I kept throwing it off.

Usually I'm quite modest but I honestly didn't care!

i arrived at hosp to be induced in normal maternity gear, then changed into comfy PJs (from Primani, bought just for the occasion) later on. i had an epidural still later on and for that must have changed into one of those fetching hospital gowns, although i have no recollection whatsoever of doing this but i do have photographic evidence. so it must have been the lovely MW who also took the trouble of doing my very long hair up in a plait.
fwiw - i washed my grubby PJs afterwards at home and they were as good as new, even though there was blood and lots of it!

Worth taking a few big baggy teeshirts, I puked lots and after two teeshirts ended up in a hospital gown. I kept my nice PJ's for after the birth and dark colour was best

I arrived at hospital in tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt then changed into a nightie and had a loose pair of pj bottoms to hand to chuck on/take off with ease (I was there a long time!) Stayed naked on my bottom half once my waters had broken- it was easier then to just sit on a big pad on the bed. Ended up having an epidural so had to change into a hospital gown which I just lifted up for skin to skin after the birth. Put comfy pjs on after my post birth shower. Back into tracksuit bottoms and t-shirt to go home in.

Agree with those who say that you won't care once you're in full blown labour. So many people saw me with my gown up round my waist but I barely noticed and couldn't have cared less anyway!

I hadn't expected a water birth and had a quick labour so I was caught unawares. The midwife suggested a bath when the contractions suddenly changed and so I whipped my clothes off and got in the bath. I didn't put anything back on until he was born. I wasn't bothered about being naked at all, never occurred to me to be!

Ps I got out the bath and into the pool but it seemed to slow things down so then I got out of pool and after a further 15 mins he was born on a birthing stool - there was no time to put a top on though!

I promise, once you're in active labour you won't care what you're wearing - long tshirt/vest top will be fine. take something comfy for after, think pj's/lounge pants etc.