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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 (if anything) did/will you wear in birthing pool

46 replies

PumpkinPie2013 · 27/10/2013 13:56

I'm almost 36 weeks and can use my local birthing centre for delivery which has a pool in each room.

I'd like to use the pool but I'm wondering what to wear in it?

I don't have swimwear I can use and don't feel comfortable wearing nothing (no objection to other people wearing nothing just not for me).

So I was thinking of using a nightdress (having another spare one for when I get out).

Does this seem ok? Sorry for the stupid question! TIA

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ninjasquirrel · 27/10/2013 16:56

Nothing - I was leaning forward so (if I'd cared anyway) my front wasn't exposed.

NickysMam · 27/10/2013 17:08

By the time I got in I wore nothing. I didn't choose to initially but everything happened so fast. I'll definitely wear a bikini top next time (fingers crossed in getting another pool birth), hated being naked in front of everyone (mum, mw, student mw and partner)

loopdaloo · 27/10/2013 17:10

I've had two water births and both times been naked. Both were early and both were fast and I really couldn't have cared less. My advice-like your birth plan go prepared but don't set anything in stone, and good luck!

suedehead · 27/10/2013 19:08

Top half of a tankini here. I merrily started putting the bottom half on too before I got in the pool before the midwife said 'drawers off, please!'. I suppose she had a point...

Lj8893 · 27/10/2013 22:56

I'm hoping for a pool birth but my hospital only has one 1st come, 1st served pool.

So I have packed in my bag 2 long baggy t-shirts so if I do wear one in the pool, I have a dry one if I get out. But I will probably just wear a seamless non-wired bra (a jml one).

I also don't think I will feel comfortable being completely naked but ill soon find out

NumberTwoDue · 28/10/2013 05:20

Hoping for a water birth this time and taking an old tankini top with me, but if my level of modesty is anything like last time I probably won't wear it (and I'm a big prude in a non-labour situation!)

sleepywombat · 28/10/2013 05:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

juniperinNZ · 28/10/2013 05:39

Nothing, I didn't really care who saw me by the point I got into the pool - all dignity had long since gone . I took a bikini top just in case, and I had a lightweight dressing gown for when I got out.

The water was fantastic, really helped with pain relief and was so much better for me than being out of the water. I didn't get to actually give birth in the water, after being in there for a whole day (and looking like a bright red prune ), but that's another story...! I would have definitely gone for a water birth again, but DS1 was in too much of a hurry to come out and DS2 was a C-section.

Good luck with the birth and congratulations :)

SoupDragon · 28/10/2013 06:58

I have packed in my bag 2 long baggy t-shirts

Personally, I would rethink this. I think a long, baggy T shirt is going to be irritatingly floaty and then nasty and clingy when you get out.

ILoveAFullFridge · 28/10/2013 07:16

I was naked in the pool. In fact, I was so desperate to get into the pool that I ripped my clothes off without first checking to see who was in the room - turned around to find at least 5 people there! By then I couldn't have cared less, the baby was coming quickly.

I didn't feel at all exposed or uncomfortable in the pool. Far more 'right' IYSWIM than sprawled on a bed with my top half covered but my lower half uncovered (dc1&2).

I definitely would not take anything long or large to wear in the pool. I'd be surprised if the midwife would allow it: a swathe of wet fabric could interfere with access to you, or tangle with the baby on the way out.

Is this your first? I was surprised at how irrelevant modesty and embarrassment felt during and immediately after labour. I would consider myself a modest person, especially among strangers.

ILoveAFullFridge · 28/10/2013 07:18

PS. Hope it goes well! My waterbirth was by far and away the best of all three birthings.

lackingideas · 28/10/2013 07:19

I wore the top half of a tankini. I'm glad I wore something - I love the photos of I have of me and baby in pool immediately afterwards and I'm happy showing them to everyone after cropping the bottom slightly - definitely wouldn't be if I'd been topless!

Lj8893 · 28/10/2013 09:12

soupdragon Im not planning on wearing a t shirt in the pool, just taking 2 with me just in case for any reason I did decide to wear one or one got wet for any reason than I at least have a spare dry one.

Fairydogmother · 28/10/2013 10:02

I'm hoping for a water birth following induction this Wednesday and I've packed a triangle string bikini top - not restrictive and can be pulled off easily if I don't want it. I got it really cheap in asda.

I can see me just not bothering though!

Peacenquiet2 · 28/10/2013 10:16

Im very jealous reading about all you ladies who either got or are getting your water births. I desperatly wanted one with dc2 but midwives gave lame excuses as to why i couldnt have one, they basically couldnt be arsed filling it up at that time in the morn!
Anyway, had i got one id planned to wear a crop top as it seems the most practical.
Good luck and hope all goes smoothly whatever you wear!

Norfolknway · 28/10/2013 10:27

I didn't think i would be fine wearing just a bikini top...I was.

I reckon anything else would have been heavy and sticky and driven me mad.

Cariad007 · 28/10/2013 11:13

One thing I've wondered - doesn't the water go cold after about half an hour? Do you need to have it constantly topped up with warm water? Silly question I know but I'm hoping to have a water birth and would appreciate an answer!

ILoveAFullFridge · 28/10/2013 11:29

No, they constantly monitor the temperature and keep topping it up as necessary.

Seff · 29/10/2013 11:50

I had planned on wearing a vest top or bikini/tankini top, but by the time it got to it, I didn't care and I didn't want to waste time putting on different clothes, I just wanted to get in RIGHT NOW!

But those things didn't take up much room in the hospital bag, it's good to have the option.

PunkyPod · 29/10/2013 13:18

naked as the day i was born. if you don't want to be naked then i think a nursing bra or little vest top are the most comfy. wouldnt wear a nighty as there will be so much fabric clinging to you.

polkadottop · 29/10/2013 14:05

I wore bikini top and bottoms. That felt right when I got in. Bottoms removed when my waters were broken a few hours later.

Cariad007, my midwives were awful. Temperature kept getting freezing and I was too out of it on gas and air to keep complaining. I'm sure it contributed to the baby getting into distress.

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