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Original poster

Clothes for labour

27 replies

AnythingNotEverything · 13/08/2013 17:05

Please help, oh wise ones of Mumsnet!

I'm due with DC2 in 9 weeks. When I had DC1, many moons ago, I'd been in hospital a couple if nights already, and went to delivery suite in some button up cotton pyjamas. These were fine - it was easy to unbutton the shirt when I wanted skin to skin.

This time I'd rather have a nightie, but really want one that I can unbutton to allow for skin to skin and that all important early bf opportunity.

My problem is, I can't find one that doesn't look like it belongs in an old people's home! The few I've seen are pale and floral, so neither my style not practical for an occasion which will involve blood.

Any suggestions? What are you packing in your hospital bag (in terms of clothes)?

TIA

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Gingerandlemon · 13/08/2013 17:09

I found some nice nighties in debenhams. I got a navy tshirty one with little white spots and buttons that come down nearly to my waist! Only cost about £11 too so can't complain :)

FoofFighter · 13/08/2013 17:09

Tesco have a blue and white checked one in store just now, like old fashioned night shirt, buttons all the way down, thin cotton, think was £10

roofio87 · 13/08/2013 17:14

I got some dark navy ones from.primark for £4.50. they button down the front pretty far but will just ask mw to cut them if I decide its not far enough as I'll probably throw them away after anyway!!

Florin · 13/08/2013 17:15

I never got to change as my ds was born too quick so had him wearing the dress I was wearing. When he was born my husband and midwife helped me to slip my dress over my head for lots of skin to skin cuddles. You may find that easier than finding the exact perfect nightie. Remember what you wear to give birth could get wrecked. As soon as I was stitched up I hopped off the bed and showered and put some nice clean comfy pj's on felt much better after that.

Hopefully · 13/08/2013 17:16

I bought awful powder blue ones in the sale and threw them in the machine with some navy Dylon. Did the job for two DCs worth of hospital time Smile

rachyconks · 13/08/2013 17:20

Second the night shirt idea. I got mine in asda, wore it throughout labour and birth. It was perfect really, unbuttoned all the way down so plenty of skin to skin straight after delivery.

SancerreMerlot · 13/08/2013 17:24

Seraphine used to have a black one made from bamboo (I know, but it's really soft) and it was so comfy with straps you could just unclip. Maybe try on their web page. It was a few years ago though.

Original poster
AnythingNotEverything · 13/08/2013 17:25

Fab suggestions - I feel like I've looked everywhere, but obviously not!

I'm not intending to spend much money and am well aware they may not come home from hospital with me and the LO. Primark/supermarkets sounds about right.

Thank you!

OP posts:
JambalayaCodfishPie · 13/08/2013 17:31

Dd2 was born whilst I was wearing my favourite Stella McCartney top.

Definitely didn't plan it that way! Grin

knittingirl · 13/08/2013 17:46

I found one in m&s which is like a massive button up shirt.

rachyconks · 13/08/2013 17:48

Btw, the night shirt I have made it home and was great when bf'ing. Will be wearing it again in march for the nxt one!

glorious · 13/08/2013 18:14

Am I the only one who brazenly threw all mine off? Grin

Could've done with a buttoning nightie on the ward though!

Original poster
AnythingNotEverything · 13/08/2013 18:21

I was trying to politely avoid disclosing that in my original post. I had some inexplicable and unexpected urge to be nearly naked in labour, much to my expartner's surprise!

OP posts:
glorious · 13/08/2013 19:15

phew! And sorry to lower the tone Wink

Chilli81 · 13/08/2013 20:23

I chuckled when I saw this thread as with ds1 I remember spending ages trying to find the perfect nighty only to end up totally naked for most off the labour. I don't remember the rationale but it seemed to feel right at the time!

Panzee · 13/08/2013 20:25

I got a maternity one from M&S that buttoned all the way down.

Norfolknway · 13/08/2013 20:28

A gingham dress and army boots Grin

Original poster
AnythingNotEverything · 13/08/2013 20:28

The M&S ones are currently baby pink or baby blue - not at all my style, and not compatible with bodily fluids! Thanks though.

I've seen some great ones online at Tesco, so will take a trip at the weekend.

OP posts:
Panzee · 13/08/2013 21:05

Boo, mine was a browny-grey colour.

HeffalumpTheFlump · 13/08/2013 21:46

Matalan have a navy button up nighty with white polka dots that is not expensive so could just be chucked after if it's ruined.

Fakebook · 13/08/2013 21:52

You can normally fish out some nice ones in Primark once you get past the ones with "sexy princess" printed in gold on them Grin.

Original poster
AnythingNotEverything · 13/08/2013 21:56

Thanks Heffalump - great option for breastfeeding. I think I want one that I can open fully for labour though, you know, just in case I feel the need to get naked again ...

OP posts:
dizzy77 · 13/08/2013 22:05

I had a huge bag of labouring clothes for ds2 (primark £4 a piece types - stretchy slip undies and a maxi dress). Gave birth within 10 mins of arriving in the delivery suite after whipping off my jeans in the triage room and my t-shirt and bra between his head and body arriving. Bag did not leave car.

For the ward, I too had an m&s button thru checked nightshirt that was significantly less geriatric than the rest of the offerings at their outlet store. And about £8.

HeffalumpTheFlump · 13/08/2013 22:10

Its so hard to find nice ones like that!! I have an erm interesting looking one from the sale at m&s that my mum picked up for me. Its purple... And floral... I am the least purple floral nighty sort of person you could meet! I'm having a c section so need a nighty because of the catheter, otherwise I would be sticking to pjs I think!!

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