Birth - what to wear?!

[TwinkleStars15]

I don't really like the idea of being completely naked - although I probably won't care in the throes of labour - but I'm planning a water birth and don't know what to wear? Obviously some kind of bikini/tank top but I'd quite like a loose skirt type thing so that the midwives can still do their checks etc but I feel a bit more comfortable - any ideas?

You can get swim skirts in various sizes. I packed a tanking top but ended up just staying in my sleep bra and nothing else. Good to have something in case you do feel self conscious during labour. I know some people that have, I was one of those that didn't care :)

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s_ss_i_1_8?k=swim+skirt+for+women&sprefix=swim+ski&tag=mumsnetforum-21

i had 2 home water births and both times i baught myself a longer vest top that goes below my bum!

That's such a good idea about the swim skirt. I haven't given birth, but have had a similar feeling when going for a bikini wax and they don't give you a towel to shield your modesty from yourself. Mortifying for a prude like me!

I'm wearing vest top and knickers for pool. An over sized nightie and black leggings for labour. Closer to delivery will remove leggings and underwear

I had a long vest, probably reached to mid thigh, easy for examinations but felt covered up enough in between when I was walking around. I got it from H&M normal range, just a larger size to fit over the bump.

I wore a bikini in the birthing pool, just took bottoms off when I began pushing and at that stage even a prude like me didn't care.

Can't you just wear a maternity nightie? Or a cheap oversized nightshirt?

I bought one of those over swimming cozzie things you wear on holiday (are they called kimonos?) in a bigger size, but actually didn't end up wearing it or going in the pool as I was too far gone when I got to hospital. Still think it's a good idea though and have kept it in case we have another

I took a bikini and didn't bother with it just stripped off, couldn't have cared less in all of that pain what I looked like, although my husband took some pics and it wasn't that awful to look at, I definitely don't think the midwives care one bit either. Just go prepared with options and see how you feel at the time. x

You honestly won't care.... I bought a lovely tankini top and when the time came just jumped in naked!!!! Hahaha xx

I got a knee length nightie from primarni for dd1. I did end up starkers in the pool though as I wasn't planning on a water birth.

This time round I hope to have some sort of bikini tip and skirt for incase of pool, and will also take another primarni nightie for labour.

You'll have to lose any bottoms any way!
Honestly I think when your in labour you won't be thinking about it.

Husband's baggy t-shirt!

My first was a hospital water birth and I felt quite self conscious about my excessive weight gain and droopy boobs, so I kept a long top on. When I was getting out of the pool they encouraged me to take it off as it was sopping weight. Even after giving birth it felt so degrading, trying to feel off my heavy, wet, modesty to put on a towel.
I wish I'd have changed into the tankini before.

My 2nd was a home water birth and I started in my nightie as I woke in the night with contractions, then changed into just a bikini bra when I got into the pool. My only area of self consciousness was my boobs, really, so that worked well, I just put my big bathrobe on afterwards.

This time again I'll be wearing a big, loose, long top of some sort and have a bikini top handy for when I want to get into the pool.

As mentioned I went for a longer vest top too as I wasn't comfortable being nude all I would say.. during labour your dignity is left at the door and you really don't care so much I'm sure the midwife would have seen it all before, good luck x

Thanks for the advice! Think I'll go for the wrap type skirt so it's a bit of cover but not too much and baby can still come out!! And a long nighty for out of the pool. Thanks again xx