Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

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

Original poster

What do you wear to give birth?

60 replies

wondering7777 · 21/02/2020 07:11

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? Confused

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!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Willow4987 · 21/02/2020 07:56

I wore a nursing sleep bra as it was the most comfortable and nothing else.

Mummyzzz044 · 21/02/2020 08:11

I had my outfit all bought, oversized nighty, headband to keep the hair out my face. Waterproof eye liner, how naive I was 😂.

By the time I got to the hospital only had time to rip my leggings off and then she arrived..

Before leaving for the hospital my sister tried to do my hair. I almost bite her hand off.

cakebythepound1234 · 21/02/2020 08:16

I bought a nightdress from Primark but in the end I just completely stripped off and did it naked. I was so hot and couldn't bear to have any clothes on my skin. Oh and I had been given a lot of pethidine so i was high as a kite and quite happy for the medical team to see me starkers with no embarrassment whatsoever!

Headfull · 21/02/2020 08:21

Long lose tank top (which went in the bin after - there was no saving it) ... I do remember them trying to get me to put something else back on to walk from the assessment Center to the delivery suite after I’d stripped down to it, but they couldn’t persuade me so I walked along shielded in a sheet 😬. I think you probably won’t care much. But agree with pp, having some wipes freshen up with after would of been amazing (I hadn’t thought of it and in hindsight I was left covered in sweat and other fluids for a long time), plus I felt exposed on the ward in the strait nightie I had so wish I’d had a t-shirt and harem pants or something similar to wear on the (v v v hot) ward after.

Nitpickpicnic · 21/02/2020 08:27

After much research, I bought a ‘birthing gown’ from a US website. It was pricey. Sort of wrap around, in magenta jersey, with all these nifty openings and press studs. With lovely trim and stitching. Very smart. I washed it carefully in eco skin-friendly liquid and ironed it Blush. Folded it and popped it in its silk baggie.

I think it’s still in there, 9 years later. The Birth Bag of Shame. Not one of my carefully thought through birthing aids made an appearance at the hospital.

I had way underestimated the medicalised ‘conveyor belt’ nature of that 26hr experience and the aftermath.

Just bring a hair elastic and be done with it. Tempted as I am to say you’ll need your Big Girl Pants as well Grin

Twickerhun · 21/02/2020 08:33

Nothing! Both times. I amazed myself ask hate nakedness but it was hot and no one cares

Millettmum · 21/02/2020 08:44

Big nightie as well. Hoping to get a birthing pool this time so maybe just a vest.

Original poster
wondering7777 · 21/02/2020 09:29

I’d be way too self-conscious to wear nothing! Blush I’ll definitely want some covering up top I think!

OP posts:
Pineappletree33 · 21/02/2020 09:34

I took a nightie in, but i had a hospital gown on to start my induction. It was a faff to change once the cannula was in so I ended up staying in it.

PixieDustt · 21/02/2020 09:35

I did have a nightie on but I ended up naked I was so bloody hot!

Bluebelltulip · 21/02/2020 09:36

DC1- t-shirt that I was already in
DC2- nightie, I was encouraged to get changed by my midwife but I wish I hadn't as it meant I was already one nightie down afterwards.
DC3 - t-shirt that I was already in.

I used sheets or paper cloth things on my bottom half at some points but nothing at others.

PixieDustt · 21/02/2020 09:36

Then I ended up in a hospital gown because I peed myself whilst pushing 🥴

FriedasCarLoad · 21/02/2020 09:43

I had a large, old man’s shirt ready. In the event, I couldn’t bear any clothes touching me, so I was as naked as the newborn Grin

ifeeldone · 21/02/2020 09:46

I wore a primark short nightie so it wouldn't get in the way but I could still walk about in it as it covered bum. I wore the same one both times, it's upstairs (clean) and I won't ever get rid of it.

Muuuuuuuum · 21/02/2020 09:49

I stressed loads about this before dc1, but ended up having a speedy labour and just taking off what was on my bottom half.

Honestly can't remember with dc2&3, probably a long t shirt / nightie. Never offered any kind of hospital gown though.

bobstersmum · 21/02/2020 09:53

Your birthday suit of course!

Lilopup · 21/02/2020 09:56

I started off in an oversized button down nightie that came to above the knee. In the end I had a c section, but the nightie was comfy to start with.

Nowayorhighway · 21/02/2020 09:59

I wore the same nightgown with all of my DC. It’s a black and white polka dot one from primark with buttons on the chest to make breastfeeding easier. I think it cost me about £4 ten years ago, I haven’t worn it aside from during and after birth!

paperplant · 21/02/2020 10:00

first time - induced and long labour, wore a hospital gown. took it off after baby was born for skin to skin.

second time - the t-shirt I was wearing. baby came quickly so just had my trousers off. For skin-to-skin after birth, DH wanted to rip the t-shirt but I just pulled it up to bunch up under my chin.

I don't think you need to buy anything, just take an old t-shirt or shirt, as others have said, if you buy something you may not end up using it at all.

Bl3ss3dm0m · 21/02/2020 10:03

After 3 children (individually, and quite a long time ago), I have absolutely no idea what I was wearing for any of them - so sorry, as I am not being any help whatsoever, except to say that I presume that it cannot have seemed very important at the time! Good luck with the birth, and the next "forever" days, weeks, years, lifetime after it xx

Aurorie11 · 21/02/2020 10:03

Second one was quick, so I wore the maternity top I arrived in the hospital in!

tangled2 · 21/02/2020 10:06

I wore a sports bra and a huge baggy t shirt, took my bottoms off to get in the pool, and would do the same again. People say oh you won't care if you're naked - this wasn't my experience, I knew I wanted to be comfortable and being completely naked would have made me uncomfortable.

You'll definitely want a few pairs of comfy nightwear for after. I took PJs and wore a nursing vest underneath the top.

We didn't get given any hospital gowns and it was a midwife led unit not a hospital so worth checking what is available at the place you're going to give birth. Lots of big comfy knickers for after too.

adagio · 21/02/2020 10:11

Both mine were in the pool and I wore an (old) bikini top, nothing on the bottom (for some reason I didn’t really think that the water was actually see through so it felt private in the pool ...!)
Started off in a vest and I think maybe maternity pj’s or joggers or something like that. It is super hot in there, and as others have said once things really get going you don’t really think about it.
I was lucky enough to go home straight from delivery so avoided the ward completely 😊

Sleepyquest · 21/02/2020 10:13

I was in a hospital gown. No idea why or how it came about but it was good cos I felt covered whilst being completely free

HarrietM87 · 21/02/2020 10:17

Had a water birth so was just wearing my bra. Had a lovely button down nightie for after. You will not care about nakedness in labour!