Birthing pool etiquette

[JackJack84]

Just wondering if you can go in a hospital birthing pool naked? Hopefully I will have a water birth & I'd prefer to go in naked but not sure if this is the 'done thing'

I’m a midwife and I’ve also had 3 water births. Etiquette is do whatever the f@ck you want, your birth, your choice! Loads of women go totally naked. Lots bring bikini tops but end up being so desperate to get in the pool, their previous worries about “dignity” go out of the window! X

Of course you can! It's your birth, your choice.

I didn't have a water birth but had taken all my clothes off in triage and had to be draped in gowns to be wheeled down to delivery. I couldn't wear clothes, they felt revolting on me during labour. Midwives and doctors have seen everything, are not phased.

It's hard to know in advance how you might feel though, so useful to take options eg tankini/bikini/sports bra or even a big t-shirt just in case that's what you want.

I was naked from waste down from when I got into the room lol I just had a bralette thing on. I took a bikini top and never put it on and once in the pool was naked for the rest of the time until baby was born. Was only in the pool for 10-15 mins as I didn't like it felt very restricted, end up giving birth next to the pool on all fours completely naked and free

Might need some support for breasts with a bralette. Very heavy by the end

Naked here. You really don't care when you are there. I had an oversized t-shirt In case I felt embarrassed but didn't use it.

I had 2 water births. Naked both times.

Yep I was totally naked

Haven't been blessed in the bra department so made no difference not wearing a bra.

I did not give a shiny shit.

I carefully selected my 'birthing outfit' during first pregnancy. I had stripped everything off before even getting in the room with the birth pool!

There is no dignity in labour, and I don’t think anybody cares one bout either.

It’s all consuming.

Would have oversized t shirt ready.

Just be prepared for things not going the way you planned. You might not use the pool at all

Mate, how do you think the baby is getting out if you’re in bikini bottoms? And surely if you’re bottom-less a bit o’ nip isn’t going to offend!

I’ve had three. Couldn’t get my kit off fast enough each time!

I was also worried about this and by the time I was in labour I couldn’t have given a hoot! I just had on a stretchy crop top/bra thing as I find my boobs out on the loose a bit annoying!

I've had two water births. First one completely naked, second time I kept my bra on. Do whatever you're comfortable with!

One piece of advice though, the one thing that really hurt after mine was my chin! I'd been resting it on the side of the pool whilst sucking on the gas and air. I'd genuinely recommend a small cushion if you go for that position!!! Hurt for about a week afterwards.

Good luck!

I was completely naked.
My only advice is don't go in there until your labour is properly progressing (the pain REALLY starts) as I went in from 4 cm and felt like it slowed my contractions down.
My contractions only picked back up when I was out of the pool.

I packed a nice bikini top and even washed, blow dried and curled my hair while in early labour so I’d look nice in my photos ...when things really kicked off I was totally naked...did a poo in the pool during pushing and also refused to tie my hair up so you can imagine how nice (and clean) I was afterwards . Just go with whatever you feel comfortable doing, I don’t even remember getting naked I think it’s kind of primal you just do what you need to do. I walked from one room to the pool room around the maternity unit naked with a duvet shoved between my legs so nothing fell out!

My partner left me for a quick ciggie (I know!) when I was cool, calm and collected. When he came back I was naked, on all 4s and not at all lucid. They covered me in a sheet and took me off for an emergency c section! Nothing dignified. Go with the flow x

Had 2, naked both times. Never gave it a thought.

Tankini top but if you’re comfortable being naked go for it. I had two great waterbirths- all the best with the delivery of your baby.

Haha anything goes when giving birth. I was butt naked and could not have cared less - and I'm definitely not the 'getting naked' type.

Naked.. it didn’t even occur to me to wear clothes/bikini top til afterwards when someone else asked this question

I was wearing an oversized t shirt beforehand but when I got in it was just annoying because it was clinging and I just didn’t want it, so I took it off and was naked.

I wore a sports bra both time but took it off at some point near the end ready for skin to skin. Do what you’re comfortable with! Midwives have seen it all I’m sure

@Hallyup6 my friend also ended up with a massive friction burn on her chin during her water birth. I went to see her and her DS a couple of days after and could barely focus on him through looking at her poorly chin it looked so sore.

You do what you want. I kept my bra on initially for some modesty. After about five minutes I was ripping it off because it was strangling me to death (obviously it was in no way strangling me but at the time I just had to get the evil thing off!)