Water birth - what do you wear?

[Craftycakey15]

Has anyone has a water birth before? I'm wondering if I need to get a cheap tankini top or bikini top to wear? My own don't fit now like most of my clothing.

I'm swimming regularly and my swimsuits don't fit any more so I've bought a maternity tankini (rather than a swimsuit) precisely so I can wear the top half in the birthing pool.
It was quite hard to find one with room for my huge boobs but I got there in the end! (Got an Anita one from Zalando.)

I think I packed my maternity tankini but in the end I just wore my bra.

First one I got in at about 6cm, wore a tankini just over my boobs (above the bump, didn't want anything on the bump when labouring) and bikini bottoms which I just pulled off later on.
Second one (on Monday!) pool was still filling when I started feeling like I wanted to bear down during contractions, but decided there was enough water to give it a go - I just stripped all my clothes off as fast as I possibly could and leapt in between contractions - I really couldn't have cared less about anything other then getting myself into that water!!

I wore the vest top that I was wearing already that day. It doesn't need to be a bikini or tankini.

I had a water birth for DD3 and wore nothing. I'm usually super-self conscious about my body but it didn't even occur to me to wear anything. I think I would have found a top irritating…and the water usually comes over your boobs anyway. If you think about it plenty of people are likely to be seeing your fanjo so boobs are nothing really.

I was naked too. I honestly didn't care and yet i am very self conscious normally. My beautiful daughter was born in the water after just a coupe of pushes. the midwife didn't believe me that her head was out because the water was hiding it. I had to point down and say "look!". Then she came slithering out and I had to catch her. Midwife then told me it was her first water birth...

Only thing i will say is that my daughter had some breathing issues soon after birth. I am not saying the water birth caused it because she also had a cleft palette. But just be aware that some water may get in the airways.

I would always choose to labour in the water and even to give birth as it was so relaxing compared tot he first part of the process which was hell.

I wore a tie up bikini in the pool for the labouring part ... I didn't want to be naked! When it was time for pushing just got rid of the bottoms and carried on. I ended up having to come out as they couldn't find the baby's heartbeat, and gave birth beside the pool ...

I got in wearing a t-shirt and had to get out again 2 seconds later 'cos I pooped!

remember it would be very unusual to get water in the airways as babies don't usually take their first breath until they are out of the water and this may worry the OP unnecessarily. If the water is the right temperature then everything should be fine. Breathing issues can be caused by all sorts of factors, the water birth is unlikely to have been one of them.

Also…I thought that you had to have a midwife experienced in water birth to have one?

It's so rare for a baby to inhale the water, please don't let that put you off.

I'm not sure about midwife experience, surely they have to start somewhere? Mine was fab, she didn't do any internal inspections, she was able to read what stage I was at through my contractions.

Stretchy black maternity bra which was promptly thrown away afterwards.

I'm pretty sure I was naked for both of mine, but I honestly can't remember 100%. As someone said upthread it's unlikely you'll give a monkeys at the time. I did have both my water births at home though which would probably have made me more comfortable about doing it in the buff

Baby has been swimming in water for 9 months so as long as they don't come up out of the pool bottom first (which I believe can shock them into gasping) there's no reason for them to take a breath until they're out in the air. Don't worry about that, OP.

I had both my babies in water, naked each time, I figured whether my boobs were out was going to be the least of my worries considering what was happening down the other end

I had water birth both times and I would really recommend it. It really helped with the pain. First time all I needed was gas and air and second time I didn;t even take a paracetamol. It definitely helped. Also, I was very lucky not to tear either time and I think being in the water helped with that too. First time was a hospital water birth and I packed a bikini. I remember DH handing me the bikini and me telling him to shove it as I stripped off desperate to get in the water. Yes, as many are saying, you will probably find you won't really mind what you are wearing when the time comes. Good luck.

I wore a tankini top. I had massive big floaty boobs that would have driven me mad if not contained.

museumum

I feel as if that would be me too!

I have had three water births and leapt in nekkid each time. People wear stuff?!!!

I wore nothing both times, couldn't have cared less! The main thing is that you're comfortable

I started off in a vest top but ended up naked. I didn't give a shiny shit by that point, plus I was at home with just DH and the midwife so no-one to see me

I wore a bikini top. Nothing on the bottom. Was perfect for me as I don't particularly like my boobs hanging about, I'm more comfortable with a top on. Also when he arrived we were taking pictures, and personally I didn't want to be looking back at photos and seeing boobs!

Started off in a vest top and pants, then took them off as they became too annoying.

Nothing at all with DD in MLU. A bra top with DS, he was born at home v, quickly and we didn't quite make it to the pool!

I had a water birth. Was fabulous! As soon as you're in the water it's all a lot easier as you don't have to support your own weight. By the time you get to getting in you really won't be thinking about what you're wearing. I just stripped off, wondering why on earth I was still in jeans!! I think the comment about being naked is good advice. You'll be annoyed by anything that's on. Re. the photo of the lady in the water pool, btw, better to be the other way round. There's a ledge to put your knees on and you can then lean over the edge of the pool with your arms for support (and for the gas and air!). Best of luck!

I didn't have time for that shit. Too much pain. Straight in the pool naked! Bliss!