What do you wear for a waterbirth?!

[moomin35]

Ok, sorry, this is a stupid question from first time mum-to-be I'm sure but if i am planning on a water birth what should I take in to the hospital to wear? Also, if the pool is not available for me on the day what back up option should i take?

I wore a maternity tankini. Midwife laughed at me (in a nice way) as she would examine me and then I'd put the bottoms back on to go back in the water! Seemed ridiculous when it was just her and dh in the room and she'd seen more of me than dh at that point!

Don't know what I'd have done for pushing as he wasn't born in the water but I still had the top on when he was born.

I was naked in the water. I was 6cm dilated by the time I got to the birth centre, and it took a lot of focus to take off my clothes, no bloody way was I putting more on.
I ended up giving birth out of the pool, after two hours in there and then contractions slowing down, still entirely naked. I didn't care at all. I don't think anyone else minded either.

There is no way anyone would have been persuading me out of the water at 7cm - the warmth of the water was the best ever pain relief. I only got in a 6cm (not allowed in before) and the difference was incredible. I loved wading and wallowing around. Both DCs born in the pool.

I wore a t shirt and bra when i first got in , i had to get out after about 7 hrs to be examined. when i got out i realised i was only wearing a bra- my husband later explained i got hot and stroppy and took t shirt off! Unfortunately i didn't give birth in the pool as i had to move to a hospital rather than midwife led unit but i loved the time i spent in it.