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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Where can I buy a decent nightie/something to wear in labour?

23 replies

Spaghettinetti · 07/03/2014 13:16

Ok, probably a very daft question, but what are we meant to wear when we go into hospital to give birth? Do I need a nightdress, a dressing gown? A labour wrap? What do I need? My common sense seems to have flown out of the window and I really don't know what I'm going to feel like...Will I want to be bothered wearing anything other than a cheapo cotton nightie? And can anyone recommend somewhere that I can buy one that's nice (not covered with ugly teddies) and in a colour other than white!? Thanks. X

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KnickersOnOnesHead · 07/03/2014 13:18

I just wore a vest top!

KiwiBanana · 07/03/2014 13:18

Don't get anything expensive. You might end up wearing it during pushing and then if baby is put straight on to you it'll be ruined. I'm going for a shirt style night dress, gives the midwives easy access and then I can wear it for breast feeding afterwards. I know I won't be wearing it much during labour though, it'll be more for afterwards.

Middleagedmotheroftwo · 07/03/2014 13:19

I'd go with a hospital gown - you don't want to get a nice new nightie all messy. Either that, or an old large t-shirt or something.

CinnabarRed · 07/03/2014 13:19

If you're anything like me, you'll want to be naked when you give birth - I couldn't stand the feel of fabric on the my skin, and I gather that's not uncommon!

Whatever you wear be prepared for it to be ruined.

The vast majority of my friends seem to have been wearing old t-shirts.

everythinghippie29 · 07/03/2014 13:24

I wore a dotty blue button down the front nightdress/t-shirt that I got from Primark. They had loads of colours/styles. I also had a really lightweight short cheesecloth material dressing gown.

Did the job and gave easy boob access afterward if you are breast feeding.

cowbiscuits · 07/03/2014 13:32

I wore an old cheap nightie with spagetti strap shoulders. I didn't want to be totally naked, but and I could have just taken it off easily if I had wanted to. I could easily drop the top down for skin-to-skin and breastfeeding.

If you haven't got an old one to wear and don't want to spend much money, try Primark or Tesco.

britnay · 07/03/2014 13:57

I'm pretty sure that as soon as I got into the labour room I stripped off all my clothes. Its very very warm in there!

Sid77 · 07/03/2014 13:59

Something cheap that you don't mind being ruined! Nightie, big tshirt, something without a bottom so that the mw have access. If you're planning on being in the water then maybe just a strappy vest top? I also wanted to be naked when in labour, but the nightie I had was button up, so good for wearing afterwards as easy boob access.

greentshirt · 07/03/2014 14:43

I've got 2 of these

www.marksandspencer.com/midi-nightdress/p/p22289075?colour=Black

KatoPotato · 07/03/2014 14:45

When I went to have DS we all had matching spotty navy blue button down top nighties from primark!

rockybalboa · 07/03/2014 14:46

Cheap Asda spaghetti strap nighties did me just fine. Hoiks up for baby exit and hoiks down for boob access. And I've never really understood this thing about there being lots of mess and clothes getting ruined. Wasn't with any of my 3 DC and all nighties worn are still fit for wear again.

Kcjs14 · 07/03/2014 14:47

I have just got a cheap one from primary. They tend to get ruined anyway!

Xfirefly · 07/03/2014 14:49

primark. but when I was taken into delivery room I was put in a hospital gown...don't know why.

BananaPie · 07/03/2014 14:55

I had the same spotty primark one. I've still got it - it's quite comfy

FossilMum · 07/03/2014 14:59

I wore an old shirt of DH's for labour. After they'd stitched me up and washed me I changed into a nice new cotton button-top nightie suitable for breastfeeding, and asked the MW to just chuck DH's now blood-stained old shirt into the bin.

McBaby · 07/03/2014 15:01

I never managed to change out of the black dress I went to hospital in. Again it really wasn't very messy on my clothes so I still wear it.

insanityscatching · 07/03/2014 15:03

I wore an old shirt of my df's (he was bigger than dh) it was perfect, roomy and short and cool because it was cotton. I got the MW to bin it after delivery.

cowbiscuits · 07/03/2014 15:04

Oh yes and I packed a stretchy vest top for the pool but I didn't get to go in it.

IBelieveInPink · 07/03/2014 15:15

I also went for a strappy night dress. Easy up for midwives, easy down for skin to skin/feeding. Mine was £12 from m and s, and was mainly black.

However I ended up with an emergency section and was in a hospital gown - no idea how that happened, must ask DH later.....

bonkersLFDT20 · 07/03/2014 16:40

I wore a cheap Primark one for DS1. It didn't get ruined at all. DH's trousers got covered in meconium though.

For DS2 I only had time to take my jeans and knickers off so I was wearing regular clothes on top.

RiverTam · 07/03/2014 16:48

I got something on sale from M&S, think it was about £7.

Hopelass · 07/03/2014 16:56

Reading others responses I'm ashamed to say I laboured in the maternity top I arrived in, some hospital paper knickers and a maternity pad and fluffy socks!! It never crossed my mind to get changed even though I had the Primark nightie in my bag waiting! The only time I was aware of what I was wearing was when my feet got cold hence the fluffy socks........

Original poster

Spaghettinetti · 10/03/2014 17:29

Thanks for all of your advice. I've now got a much better idea and will definitely be packing some fluffy socks :-)

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