What do you wear to give birth?

[wondering7777]

It suddenly struck me that I have no idea what to wear when giving birth! Should I buy an oversized man’s T-shirt? Or maybe a nightie that’s a couple of sizes too big so it’ll fit over my bump? Or does the hospital just give you a gown to wear when you arrive anyway?

I know it’s not a fashion parade, but I’ve just realised that I don’t have anything in my wardrobe that’ll work and need to buy something!

I was naked 😂 its that warm and you literally won't care at the time

I'm going in today to be induced and have a large nightie from primark. It has button down front, so can breast feed easily, plus being a nightie there's easy access for any checks/catheter etc. Only cost £5

Not given birth yet, but I went to Primark and bought some nighties that were big enough to cover the bump. I also chose ones with buttons down the front for easy BF access

I got a delivery gown off amazon it has bottoms all the way down back and front to allow easier access depending on what position I'm in x

Great big old t-shirt for giving birth/labouring. A button front nightie is great too but it may get dirty/blood on it during the birth. So another clean one to put on after. (And as I never expected to stay in hospital but ended up staying the first time - a second bag packed at home with an extra couple of days stuff for you and baby just in case - can be left in car too and just brought in if needed).

Buttons down the front is a good tip - I wouldn’t have thought of that.

Good luck for today @mrpoopybutthole!

First time I wore a hospital gown. Second time I was totally naked!

I was given a hospital gown for both labours

Started in a big primark nightie, ended up in a hospital gown (no clue how?) Then somehow by the end I was naked.

I was worried about what to wear. In the end i went with a nighty, but it go so covered in blood and other lovely things it didn't last. I was also so hot and in so much pain I didnt care 😅

I started off in a button down nightie from Primark, but ended up weeing on it so they put me in a gown. By that point I wouldn't have minded what I was wearing.

Hospital gowns are provided, why wreck your own stuff

I agree with button down nightie. Buy a couple. I was sick all over the first one within about 6 seconds of putting it on

I was also given a hospital gown.

A large over sized t shirt type night dress would work one that comes to your knees.

Totally naked both time, had planned to wear a big nightie but when the time came I just stripped off completely!

First time around I started in the pool with my bra and a vest up top and nothing on the bottom, I then ended up having to come out so gave birth in a nighty.

Second time intention was to use a nighty again, ended up just in the vest and bra I went to the hospital in.

If you do get a nighty, buy a couple, I had PJs for the ward, first time the were fine, second time I was roasting in them so the nighty I didn't give birth in was cooler to wear.

First one a long tank top and baggy pj bottoms for the first bit, then whipped the the bottoms off - would not recommend that.
Second time I started off in the same top as above, purely by chance, but was naked pretty quickly. I remember the midwife asking if I wanted to put something on but it was so hot and stuffy in the room I couldn't bear to wear clothes and feel restricted.
Good luck!

First was pyjamas as I was kept in and they changed me into a hospital gown.
My second was in the clothes I was wearing that day (minus the bottom half) as labour was very fast. I think they recommended to me night dresses that have buttons to Breast feed. And night gowns are better afterwards no matter what you labour in as you don't know how comfortable you'll be down there/ what will rub etc.

White sequinned bikini obviously!

Totally naked
Didn't care

Both times for me I was in a nightie

Clean pyjamas for afterwards or something comfortable is a must!

Also, this time round I packed some Johnson's Top to Toe Wipes to freshen up with afterwards until I got a shower and it was the best thing ever! They're like really large thick baby wipes with a lovely smell and they really made me feel clean before I got into my clean clothes.

My partners tshirt, but wished I'd brought a big comfy nighty.

With my first I had a primark nightie (if you're doing this - dark colour is a good idea 👌🏼) but it was hot and I found it restricting.

I've packed a nightie again this time round (39 weeks) but in reality I think I'll labour in my comfy sports bra if it's anywhere near as warm as last time!

What to wear will be the least of your worries lol. I got the chance to labour in the birthing pool with both of mine (as it was free). The first time I had cheap top like a vest top on it was stretchy and fitted it probably looked ridiculous with my bump as I didn’t want to be totally naked but it didn’t flap about. I also had a nightie in my bag.
The birthing room lighting is very dimmed so no stark lighting so whatever you wear you will feel comfortable.
My top tip try and stay calm go with an open mind and if the birthing pool is free get in it. It’s lovely and relaxing like a warm bath but it stays warm, it helps with pain relief and you can move about to whatever position you fancy easily.

Naked. Used the pool for pain relief so had to strip off to get in.

I started off just in whatever clothes I'd been wearing that day - if no pool, probably would have kept whichever top on. I didn't feel like getting changed in the middle of labour.