What do you wear to give birth?

[jinglebellmel]

My son was early and very sudden so I just ended up in the clothes I was wearing, but hoping to pack in advance and be prepared this time around! So what do you wear to give birth? Nightie, shirt, just a top? And if I manage to get my water birth, do I invest in a tanki/bikini that fits or just go with a vest top? Presume swimming coatume is no good as will need easy access to bottom half?? If anyone has brought anything recently and is able to let me know where to save me shopping around that would be great :)

Large cheapo nighty first time. Second time was elc so hospital gown. Wear what ever is comfortable. Personally I didn't want to be naked.

Elcs

I was wearing a maxi dress when I went to be induced... Took a nighty and pyjamas with me... Waters broke all over my dress and ended up in a hospital gown when I was rushed to delivery!

A hospital gown that I have no recollection of putting on! Especially as I had taken a nursing nighty and a bikini!

DC1: arrived in a hurry. Just a T shirt and socks. Got womb-slime on my socks. Forgot to pack any fresh ones. Rookie error.

DC2: home birth, just a nightie. Also speedy. Midwife arrived - took one look at me, suggested (urgently) that I took my pants off (definitely don't wear those!). She still had her coat and scarf on when she caught him.

Snap misty

I took t-shirt to give birth in but ended up wearing vest top I already had on. Also took a pair of leggings, vest and zip hoodie to wear in hospital. Stayed in one night and wore vest and leggings at night. A long t-shirt would be fine at night.

Naked , as I took all my clothes off as things got going
Might have given DH the death stare when he helpfully passed me the nightie I'd packed specially

crazypenguinlady wins the thread

NaturWilde: That looks like it, yeah.

Subsequently I have nothing but praise - good quality thick fabric, soft and comfy, good for breastfeeding access if required, convenient midi length.

At the time, I was more WHAT DOES A FUCKING KANGAROO KNOW ABOUT BIRTHING ANYWAY?? :-)

My size 10 dd 'borrowed' an old size 18 nightshirt from me when dgs was born and said it was very comfy. It was also discardable afterwards :)

Starkers. I was just climbing out of the bath when the first contraction hit. Wrapped in a towel to go a few doors down to the delivery room and after that not a stitch.
Didn't give a shiny shit even though I'd never met the midwives before or that my mother-in-law was present. 😱

Sleeveless top no bra and a dressing gown.

Just had my second, i can confirm naked (again).

The same nightie, both times. I've still got it, but as it's (gasp!) the birthing shirt, I will most likely not wear it again...

i did start out in the same massive nightie bought specifically for this purpose (i.e. fitting over the bump) but as i got near to pushing it got hot/uncomfortable so it came off, then bottoms come off for pushing, and at some point i removed my bra too...