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 wore my favourite black top. First time it all happened so fast. Second time I chose it for ‘luck’.
I’m very body conscious. Am overweight with heavy chest so wanted to feel comfortable and nice.

Don’t waste money on anything fancy- it will just get soaked in amniotic fluid and blood. (And possibly vomit, urine and faeces, but let’s be positive...!)
Wear a hospital gown, then it’s their laundry problem, not yours.
As PPs have said, you won’t care what the hell you're wearing when in the middle of giving birth.

I was just wearing whatever I had on that day. Once I got to hospital I ended up taking bits off as I got too hot and eventually was naked. However I was only in the hospital for about 30 mins before she was born. I imagine if you're there for hours you'd just want something comfy like a nightie.

I'm planning a home birth this time and planning to wear XL t shirts or nothing.

I had a long nightie for giving birth in, and a tankini for the birth pool. I know most will say you end up not caring about this, but I did. I wanted to be as covered as possible. So I had my nightie down to below my boobs so my top half was covered the whole time, even during the pushing and delivery. And in the pool I left my top on at all times.

I bought two extra large, button down nighties to give birth in. They never left my hospital bag, so that was £30 I could have saved...

I gave birth in just my bra, and didn't care even slightly about being exposed - I am the sort of person who normally really would!

I actually have a very vague memory of the midwife suggesting I put a gown on and me being very strongly against this for reasons I no longer remember.

Quick flick through photos shows I ended up delivering in a hospital gown (although I also ended up delivering prepped for a c section, so that might have influenced that), and then changed into a button up nightie after a shower.

But after spending 14 hours riding a birthing ball like I was at a rodeo, off my tits on gas and air, shouting at my husband that the midwife's pen was REALLY REALLY CLICKY, I'd pretty much left my dignity at the door anyway...

I wore DH Nike just do it T shirt!

Couldn’t bear anything touching me so I was completely naked. Even when they wheeled me down to delivery. The midwife did try and cover me with a sheet but I threw it off and shouted at her 😬

I got some cheap nighties from Matalan but ended up giving birth in my birthday suit both times. 😆