What did you wear in labour/after birth in hospital??

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Just wondering what I need to pack for active labour and after? I’m trying to source long baggy black buttoned up nightwear but it’s quite hard!

Fair enough, FourPlasticRings, I shouldn't have assumed. I was just so hot and uncomfortable. I had a home birth so possibly why I cared less!

I didn’t wear anything for labour. I stayed home till very late and when I got to hospital was already 10cm and ready to push. As soon as I got into delivery suit I stripped off all my clothes (not sure why I felt I needed to loose the bra ). I’m usually quite shy but it just felt like the right thing to do! It was a very hot day in June and it was lovely to put baby directly onto my chest.
I had a cheap button up shirt nightdress from primark which I put on after I’d had my shower and was ready to go up to postnatal. (Baby was 36 weeks so they wanted to keep an eye on us overnight).
This time around I’m planning a home birth so am planning to just wear a t-shirt style nightie and will whip it off if I get too hot (due September). I’m on the lookout for a nice nightie for afterwards. I want something quite simple that I can just flop my boob over the top, but I’ve not found anything suitable yet.

Thanks everyone, that is really useful to know. To the poster who asked -I’m currently 38+. 4. I’m very tall and quite busty so trying to find long enough, baggy enough nightdress/shirt for after is proving a bit of a challenge!

1st birth I was still in the maternity top I arrived at hospital in and fluffy socks. If you're planning a dry land birth, warm socks are a good idea (if it's not a sweltering day obvs). I was bouncing on birth ball and feet were cold on the hospital room floor.

2nd birth Only had a crop top/non underwired sleep bra on during as I was in the pool. Bliss!

Both times I was out within 6 hours so once I was stitched up and showered I was in massive black primark knickers, black leggings and maternity/baggy top. Comfort is the way to go!

As per pp I also had cheapo primark nighties but didn't wear them as I didn't stay.

Asda have some nice cheapish soft and comfy nighties at the moment about knee length (I'm 5'6) and although not buttoned they're stretchy enough to pull a boob out. I've got F cup boobs. I'll see if I can find a link.

https://direct.asda.com/george/women/nightwear-slippers/light-grey-marl-spot-print-v-neck-nightdress/GEM749915,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C18&gl=111xwipb8b8gaV3c0Rld1a2VkYy1WTC0xSEFNZDd3RWpzMGpNVmtKeHRaaEdLS2F1V1VMa1JwZlpCbG5oLTduSVc1bmhMVUFtbw..

V stretchy and soft! I'm wearing mine now!

I started off in a nighty but by the time baby was born I was starkers 😂 both times!

I was naked for labour and delivery both times and in the warmth of the birthing pool. After loose pjs

I had a couple of button up nighties. I ended up stripping off under the influence of gas so you might not need clothes after all

Comfy harem style maternity trousers and a vest top, then just bra when I got in the pool. Nursing vest and maternity leggings afterwards + big comfy black pants. I got 3 cheap primark button nighties first time round but never really wore them. I was only on the ward one night first time round though and straight home the second so didn’t really need them.

First time round I had an outfit ready and found I hated stuff touching me so ripped it off in a rage. I also snapped my lovingly prepared CD in a rage and told everybody to shut up with their poxy encouragement. I just wore rage.

I wore a loose, cotton, button-front nightie and a loose cotton dressing gown afterwards.

With dc2, I changed into a hospital gown for an emcs and then into loose cotton pyjamas afterwards.

Things you never want to see again for the labour. I bought the cheapest nighty from Peacocks and I ended up being cut out of it in theatre, so probably a good choice!

I was in a hospital gown for 24 hrs after that and then I washed and changed into black nursing pjs from Seraphine. They were a bit of a waste of money tbh because I couldn’t breast feed. I do still wear the bottoms in bed though.

Hospital gown and surgical stockings to give birth both times because they were inductions and then after the heavenly post birth shower, straight in to massive knickers and maternity overbump PJ's or oversized button down nighties.

Anyone else baffled by the stripping off thing even fully dilated on the oxytocin drip with zero pain relief during a heatwave, I kept my nightie on.

Had no desire to lose my last bit of dignity!

I laboured in the water and was happily naked throughout!

Afterwards, a comfy long-ish nighty, Plus a dressing gown in case you need to go anywhere such as a bathroom or kitchen

Slipper socks with grip soles were perfect for my feet x

I'm another one who felt the need to be completely naked for both births despite it being February both times and cold out. I have no idea why it felt so right but there you go! After both births I wore big comfy knickers and button pjs x

@Wolfgirrl

Anyone else baffled by the stripping off thing even fully dilated on the oxytocin drip with zero pain relief during a heatwave, I kept my nightie on.

Had no desire to lose my last bit of dignity!

No. I accept that everybody is different. I am a total prude, I wear shorts and t-shirt to the swimming pool, wear baggy clothes at all times and cry at the thought of being seen undressed by anybody. But in labour, you do what you need to.

Please don't anybody think your behaviour is undignified if clothing makes you feel panicked or restricted while labouring. It's a common reaction and dignity is irrelevant.

I wore my short sleeved knee length nightie until transition, at which point I was so hot I took everything off 😂😂 and gave birth standing up with nothing on! 😀

Then um I put my nightie back on ☺️

Something loose and comfy and soft and familiar.

Take two or three such nighties. And two Maternity nighties with breast access. Personally I think pyjamas more of a pain and more likely to need more frequent changing.

Leggings and a maternity vest top from gap. I bought about five pairs of each.

Naked for labour. After put on a nightie

I had something similar to this
www.happymama.co.uk/nursing/nursing-nightwear/delivery-hospital-gown-121284.html?___SID=U
I wanted something that was button down for skin to skin as well as sleeveless, as I knew I’d be hot. Surprisingly difficult to find at the time! Unfortunately I ended up in theatre and had to change out of it into a gown, but I still wore the nightie over the next few days in hospital. It ended up with all sorts on it during that time, but it washed well and I still have it.
Over the next few days it was mostly nighties. I had an episiotomy and 3rd degree tear, so I would have struggled even with leggings/pyjamas. It was also easier for examinations, endlessly changing pads, the catheter I ended up having for a few days etc. I also wore a fair number of hospital gowns. We were in for several days and everything got stained and dirty so quickly.

Clothes in labour were too irritating once established. After a few puffs of nitrous oxide I was beyond caring.
After my last two labours, I had a bath, got dressed into a maternity dress and went home. I’ve never liked sitting around in nightwear.

Ffs so much over thinking compared to my labours (only 7 and 10nyears ago). Also a lot of judging.

You don't need to "dress" for labour. Just be comfy. For what it's worth I was NAKED for both. Didn't feel undignified - more focussed on getting through it. After massive knickers cos you're wearing giant pads.

I had water births and water supported boobs just fine. The point of water births is they support the body all round. Fabulous for me as an amputee - got to remove prosthesis and still feel safe. Neither did this make me feel undignified

Well good for you but I was on the bed hooked up to 2 drips, with medical staff in and out, I didnt fancy losing my last bit of self respect. Everyone's different!