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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Maternity Nightie - giving birth

44 replies

PrtScn · 12/09/2018 23:08

What is the protocol here? I usually just wear pyjama bottoms and an old t-shirt for bed. Never owned a nightie.
When in labour I’m wondering if I can get away with just wearing one of OH’s shirts instead of buying a nightie. They only just cover my ladybits though. Is that OK?
Then if I have to stay in hospital would I be comfortable in my usual PJs (have some with button down top which would help with breastfeeding?) or can I just wear an old t-shirt of OHs and a pair of knickers?

In fact, would I be on a ward with other pregnant people or do they have private rooms in which case could I just knock about in the nuddie? I really should ask to visit the Labour ward....

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YouBoggleMyMind · 12/09/2018 23:14

I wore a strappy top and a tshirt in labour with my lower half covered by a sheet they provided. Once I'd given birth I was able to put some PJ bottoms. Give birth in whatever you feel comfortable in, it'll be the least of your problems xxx

MargaretCabbage · 12/09/2018 23:16

I bought some button down nighties to give birth in, but in both of my labours I didn’t have enough time to put them on - think I was completely naked the first time and had a top on second time. An old shirt will be fine.

I had nighties and pyjamas for my hospital stays, I think whatever you are comfortable with is fine. The postnatal wards at my hospital had at least four people in each room, so you’ll probably want to cover up. I don’t think being naked is a great option anyway with the bleeding after birth.

pastabest · 12/09/2018 23:23

You won't care what you are wearing to give birth in when the time comes. Covering your bits will be fairly low on your priorities!

DC1 I purchased a nighty specially. Felt like a right fucking tit prancing round in it on the 2 bedded birthing unit during the middle of the day with lots of fully dressed office staff and midwives. Fortunately I was only there about 6 hours and for 4 of them I was in too much pain to care what I had on.

DC2 I think I gave birth in a long vest top. I packed the nighty I had for DC1 but barely had time to remove my skirt once I got there let alone change into something else.

Your normal pyjamas should be fine for after (unless they are really light coloured) I think you would probably get some looks if you just wore a tshirt and knickers because even if you do end up in a private room you will have to go into communal areas for showers and meals.

I treated myself to some lovely black maternity/nursing pyjamas from next for DC2 which were perfect for all my postnatal requirements.

beccii161016 · 12/09/2018 23:24

It's completely up to yourself and how you are comfortable. With DS I wore a shirt style nightie but had to stay overnight and the ward was so incredibly warm in October might I add! I ended up sitting in my underwear, I had a privacy curtain and the nurses had seen it all anyway haha!

This time I've just got two thin straps nighties and will take a dressing gown in case I need it. As long as you're comfortable and if you're breastfeeding have something that makes whipping your boob out easy then you'll be fine :)

whymewhyme · 12/09/2018 23:24

I brought a step ally nighty from Primark it was perfect! Only £5 and I will deffo be buying one again for next time!

NCPuffin · 12/09/2018 23:25

Sounds fine, but do bear in mind you'll probably be on a ward. I've bought a dressing gown especially for this. Make sure you have big knickers and trousers that are high-wasted in case you need a caesarean.

grace7 · 12/09/2018 23:26

I left the same day but wore one of my boyfriends teeshirts (quite big on me) for giving birth and changed into a teeshirt and some trackies after showering.

PlinkPlink · 12/09/2018 23:29

I had to Give birth in what I wearing unfortunately. It was pretty damn quick so the pjs were not an option.

However, for on the ward I did invest in a couple of Primark button down nighties... like overgrown shirts really. V helpful for breastfeeding.

NCPuffin · 12/09/2018 23:29

High-waisted would be even better

cakesandphotos · 12/09/2018 23:30

I think I gave birth in a sports bra (maybe a tshirt? I was off my tits on gas and air ) the hospital I had ds in was private rooms, ensuite bathrooms and meals brought to you so I could have been starkers the whole time. Definitely worth finding out how yours is set up. I wore a button down nightie after the birth then when I was transferred to my local MLU, it was hotter than the sun so I just wore a tshirt and knickers (again private room, ensuite and the only woman in the unit)

chickhonhoneybabe · 12/09/2018 23:31

Honestly you won’t care what you’re wearing when you’re giving birth/in labour.

An old t shirt to labour/give birth in is fine as you’ll be hot and sweaty, and you’ll basically not give a crap when the pain kicks in. You can also ask for a hospital gown as things do get messy.

One you’ve given birth and had a shower you’ll need something to keep your dignity as you’ll most likely be on a ward with other women and possibly their birth partner, so PJ’s, or a nighty and dressing gown to cover up with is needed. You could also ask for a hospital gown if needed

CarrieBlu · 12/09/2018 23:34

I ended up naked both times I gave birth, couldn’t stand having anything on! So the lovely nighties I bought to maintain my modesty were a complete waste of time.

dinosaurkisses · 12/09/2018 23:35

For the sake of a few quid in primark, just buy a few nighties.

You might not wear them at the moment, but I found them handy when I got home as well for the first week or so.

Knittedfairies · 12/09/2018 23:37

I have no recollection what I wore in the delivery room, but I did have some pretty nighties and a cotton dressing gown on the ward.

chickhonhoneybabe · 12/09/2018 23:44

Also don’t forget to buy big pants/knickers for after you’ve given birth that you don’t mind throwing away and buy proper maternity pads not sanitary towels

BlueBug45 · 13/09/2018 00:18

I wore an over sized Primark night dress which I then binned.

On the ward I wore another oversized Primark night dress, bra and large pants. No dressing gown.

Grimbles · 13/09/2018 07:05

I was naked. My delivery room had an ensuite so I was in the bath and then went straight onto the bed.

ASqueakingInTheShrubbery · 13/09/2018 07:22

I wore an oversized Primark nightie which I still wear! I did wear pyjamas on the first day, but after that realised that I felt better for putting clothes on so only wore a nightie for sleeping. Would a big t-shirt and jersey shorts be a reasonable compromise for modesty and comfort?

Original poster

PrtScn · 13/09/2018 09:48

Thanks for the advice. I have these type of PJs;
www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-textured-long-sleeve-pyjamas/p/p60154046?image=SD_02_T37_1785J_A0_X_EC_90&color=PINK&prevPage=plp
Which I think I will take with me as “respectable” ward wear which should hopefully be easy for breastfeeding.

For giving birth I’ll just take a few of OH’s old shirts. I’ve been knocking about the house in them already and they are quite comfy.

I have bought some disposable maternity knickers and some maternity pads as well, and for some reason my mum keeps giving me things like opened packs of tenor lady she has found in the cupboards. I’m like, mum why are you giving me tenor lady! And she claims that they are just as good as maternity pads. I’m like, ok....

OP posts:

PlinkPlink · 13/09/2018 12:59

Oh god @PrtScn no no no no no no 😂

Tena lady is not going to do it. You basically need a small mattress between your legs post birth. They're the most uncomfortable things ever. Like 6x the thickness of a fucking sanitary pad 😂

Boots do these ideal disposable knickers as well. Also I got some maternity bed sheets. They're like the kids dry nites pads. Put them under your bedsheets at home just in case. And a couple of times I had to put them under where I was sitting in the lounge when I'd settled down for breastfeeding. Just feels much better having that security there when the horror movie between your legs is going on for 6 weeks.

Take some crappy towels with you too for post bath and a shower/wash on the ward.

Also plenty of paracetamol or ibuprofen for those post birth cramps.

Ooooh and if you're breastfeeding get loads of bottles of water and just post them around different places in the house. Like where you're going to sit in the lounge with baby, by your bedside etc.

hammeringinmyhead · 13/09/2018 13:09

I have an old faded Matalan nightie for giving birth in and one of these to change into afterwards:

www.happymama.co.uk/nursing/nursing-nightwear/maternity-nursing-nightdress-43303.html?___SID=U

I think I'll take some high-waisted maternity harem trousers and a long t shirt in case I want to get properly dressed.

Foodylicious · 13/09/2018 13:12

I have not worn a nightie since I was a child, but bought a knee length one .
Glad I did as the room I had for labour was not en suite and I had to keep walking to the loo up the corridor

Ironically in the room with the birthing pool I never got to use...

This time round I have bought a couple of cheap ones from Matalan with buttons down the front.
Bikini top is also packed in case I do get to use the pool this time

Definitely want something for the postnatal ward.
Most hospitals now allow partners to stay over night and there are often lots of visitors in the bay during the day.

Some hospitals have private post natal rooms you can request for a cost of around £25-£40 a night, but only if they are free.

They are often used for women who are more unwell or perhaps have LO in special care.

PragmaticWench · 13/09/2018 13:13

Those pyjamas are lovely. But very pale. You will be bleeding heavily, so dark coloured trousers are best on the ward, or a nightie.

CountessVonBoobs · 13/09/2018 13:14

I was naked giving birth. Afterwards I was just dressed - I wore yoga pants, nursing vests and when required, a loose button-down shirt on top.

FlaviaAlbia · 13/09/2018 13:14

I wouldn't use a man's shirt, there's no stretch in the fabric and you'll get it caught up and uncomfortable. If you were planning use a birthing ball or moving around you want something stretchy and not restricting.

I know because I had to send DH out to buy me new pjs when I was being induced as I'd brought a non stretchy cotton shirt type night dress!

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