What to wear during labor?

[Savasanna]

Hi ladies!

So we're in the process of packing the hospital bag and was wondering what you all have worn/plan to wear during labor. I'm thinking of packing a few outfits, one being this "dress" that is super stretchy/loose, but fitted at the boobs, as that would be an easy thing to pull up for cervical checks, but then not be naked while I'm walking around having contractions. Another thought was a band bra with some sort of bottom (pj pants? skirt? not sure)

While I'm not opposed to getting an epidural (and very well may end up requesting one!) I'm planning/packing for a med-free delivery so I'm trying to imagine what would be most comfortable while moving around.

What have you all found to be comfortable?

 

[MindUtopia]

I wore a dress similar to what you're describing (well, it was a swimming cover up, so light cotton, soft, just above the knee). That worked great. My only complaint is that I used a tens and had to feed the wires up from the bottom. Next time honestly I would just plan ahead and cut a small hole in the back to feed them through, as it did pull it up in the back. I was in my own house though (had a home birth) so it didn't really matter anyway since I wasn't walking around where anyone could see anything. When she was born I was just in a bra. One thing I would really recommend is a fluffy robe/dressing gown for after. I put that on as soon as she was born and could wrap us both up in it while we had skin to skin, which was really nice.

 

[gingmg]

I answered in the other thread but I'll answer here too to keep the ideas going for others. I wore a stretchy cotton sleeveless nightgown that probably came just above my knees. It was comforting to be in my own clothes and easy enough for them to check me. I pulled it up higher for the actual delivery and it didn't get ruined, will wear it again this time. I just had to give the hospital staff permission to cut it off/ruin it should an emergency happen. I just threw on yoga pants when I walked the halls and had a light cotton robe that I occasionally wore on my laps around the halls as well. I was also in and out of the shower a million times so the nightgown was easy enough to put on and off. They say you progress better when you are physically and emotionally comfortable and I think wearing something that you feel good in helps with that. Hospital gowns are so big and awkward that I don't think I would have felt as emotionally or physically comfortable in one.

 

[luz]

The hospital gown. Labor is a messy dirty thing and I always end up with blood up my back and all down my legs. It's nice to not worry about ruining my own clothes

 

[Zephram]

You think you will care about what you're wearing during labour, but you really won't. That said, I'd stay away from pants. Pants are a bad idea as if something happens or midwives need to check you urgently, you will not exactly be in the state of mind or physical condition to be like "oh, let me remove my pants" and your doctor/midwife doesn't want to have to wrangle your pants off you. Plus you'll have all sorts of gunk, goo, water, blood, plug, coming of out of there, so pants are just not appropriate for a messy business. So I'd go for a long baggy top or a hospital gown. You'll want something you can undo at the chest for skin to skin and breastfeeding right after birth - if you don't end up completely naked by then!

 

[nicem815]

I wore the hospital gown and was honestly naked from the waist up for the majority of my hospital stay after delivery (except when visitors came, then I had a light, stretchy short sleeves night gown that went above my knees).

 

[lilmisscaviar]

I wore a dress into the delivery unit but they had me switch to a hospital gown once I was in my room. At my hospital that is standard policy. They never gave me a choice. Then again, if they did, I probably would have birthed in the hospital gown anyways. Birth is messy, especially when your water breaks, and it is easier for them to clean it out than me lol. I did switch back into my clothes as soon as they gave me the ok to take a shower after the birth.

 

[Savasanna]

Thank you for all of your responses! I'm sort of anticipating being naked/mostly naked during the actual delivery (thinking maybe just a band bra for some support) but was more wondering what to wear during the possible hours leading up to that. It's clear that a loose night dress seems to be the preference. I already had one in mind that I own and have worn the hell out of during pregnancy, so yesterday we went out and picked up a second one. It was $20 from target so it's really not the end of the world if it gets ruined in the process, and will be easy to hike up for checks. I'll probably skip the underwear once things get underway as well, just because.

 

[xdxxtx]

What's the policy of the hospital you use? The one I deliver at requires you to wear a gown. Really, it's only bad because they keep an IV in, and when I'm near delivery, I tend to just strip down because I get so hot, so I can't get the stupid thing off, and it gets in my way and annoys me so much. Lol. During my last labor, I wore a white tee shirt, a pair of underwear and a pair of comfy shorts. This is because it happened in the middle of the night, and those were my pajamas. When I felt like I was about to push, I took the shorts and underwear off, and it was just fine. I could not have cared less about what I had on, but the hospital gown was a lot worse than the shorts and shirt. lol

 

[Savasanna]

I'm not exactly sure what the policy of the hospital I'm delivering at is, actually. Bummer if I make all these preparations and then can't wear the dress after all. I'll ask my OB at our next appointment.

 

[Mrs. MB]

Ohhh I was so fancy... I bought a delivery gown and a lovely robe because it was going to be all rainbows and unicorns, right? My labor was so hectic I wore a hospital gown, I then permanently stained the gown with nipple cream and robe with blood so there went that.... I did have a pair of lovely fuzzy socks that smelled of lavender (my feet get cold all the time). The socks were real hit with nurses and at least one part of me was super comfy 😂😂😂

 

[MrsC10]

I have no recollection of what I wore! I remember wearing a night dress to start with and when things got under wear....I honestly couldn't tell you. By the time I had my DD (after three days!), I think I'd given up caring what I had on. I could have been laying on the bed on my own birthday suit for all I know!

 

[Stellae]

Honestly I just go with the hospital gown, hospital socks, underwear that are comfy, and a robe from home. The robe helps me feel like I'm a little more modestly and comfortable covered until it's truly go time, plus hospitals are always freezing so it's nice to have the extra layer.

 

[kirstybumx3]

Just an updated reply from me to say I had every intention of giving birth in a cute giraffe night dress that I'd selected and still ended up just in my vest top I already had on and nothing on my bottom half
I didn't get chance to think about what I was wearing lol.

ETA: can't even find my original answer now. I was sure I'd replied to this thread ha! Sorry.

 

[WackyMumof2]

First labour I wore one of hubby's polos because it was knee length for me. But it was a silky kind of fabric so it made me uncomfortably hot.

Second labour I wore a hospital gown. Never again. It made moving around to get comfortable harder than it needed to be.

Last labour I wore my dress until I got uncomfortable. Just left on my sports bra and the midwife put a cotton sheet over me. Plan to do the same this time around but because I will probably just be naked. I want to feed this baby at birth - something I didn't do with my last baby due to GD and the midwife felt formula in the first hour would be our best option so we could control his sugar levels and know how much went into him.

 

[stellaluna431]

I spent most of my labor in the tub, and wore just a sports bra. I took it off when I got out of the water and delivered naked. I wore a loose fitting nightgown once family came to visit, one with loose straps I could easily slide down for nursing. I ended up wearing that nightgown home too, but we left 8 hours after he was born and I gave zero cares what I looked like at that point haha.

 

[Holliems]

I wore a hospital gown from the time I got there until I left lol. ...Not even sure I brushed my hair. 😂