What to wear while in labor?

MargaretC5

If I don't want to wear the hospital gown while at in labor at the hospital, what would you suggest?  Thanks!

carolyn02

Hospital gown. Comfortable and practical.

SarahinMD

I'd just go with the hospital gown. Otherwise, you need to ask your hospital what is allowed...most have rules because of access they need. Otherwise, for birth center or homebirth, Id ask on the natural birth board.

CarolinaGirl411

If they provide it, I'm using it.  Less I have to buy, take there and worry about afterward.

achadwick19

I'm wearing a hospital gown. Why not??

Arielle27

For me its been a hospital gown or nothing at all! But it depends on what type of birth you'll have I guess...

somerandomlady

During labor you really won't care what you're wearing, trust me. And you'll get it messy and want a fresh gown. I bled all over mine, during labor and after. Gross.

I bought a robe and brought it with me to the hospital, for wearing after labor. I didn't put it on until my second day after having the baby. I've super enjoyed wearing it at home to sit around and nurse in! But the first day PP I bled ALL OVER the hospital robe and bed... Glad it wasn't my clothes!

Also, hospital gowns have special sleeves so they can be taken off even if you've got an IV on your arm.

Kate621

If you'll be more comfortable in your own clothes, wear what you want. A cheap night gown would probably work just as well.

KaylaC0514

I ended up completely naked. (Water birth) ... weirds me out when I think about it but just remember the nurses have seen it all and when you're In labor u won't give a crap what ur wearing. the more comfortable and free flowing the better

CNYBride05

Most hospitals won't give you a choice. Just wear the gown. It's not a fashion statement, it's for everyone's ease and safety in the event of an emergency and needing quick access.

HFrizzle

A hospital gown. Every bodily fluid you can think of it going to be coming out of you. Ruin their outfit, not your own.

BelhurstBride

Wear the gown. DD2 arrived fast and furious and there was not a spare second for me to change. The dress I had on? Right into the trash. Good thing it was a cheap thing from ON. But it was so covered in stuff I didn't even consider trying to clean it.

ScorpioMum

I've always just worn their gown for the reasons everyone else already said.

leece21

If you google labor gowns there are quite a few options. To each their own is what I say. I don't like the way hospital gowns feel so when I spent 6 weeks in the hospital with my twins I had other (approved) clothes I could wear. While I was in labor I wore a loose short skirt (old navy fold over maternity skirt) and a soft sports/nursing bra and was very comfortable while being within the guide lines of the hospital. The skirt was cheap so I just threw it away after I was done. Good luck!

msronzio

I'm just going to be naked.

lol

AshleyF1234

I'm with you. I don't want to wear the hospital gown either. I have seen push gowns or birth gowns on Zulily and you can google them... but don't know yet if my hospital will let me wear one. 

As for why: personally I don't want to wear a hospital gown because I think they are ugly. I know there will be a lot of pictures taken right after the birth and I would prefer to not be wearing a generic hospital gown in them. I know I won't care at the time... but I care now and most likely will when I look back at them.

PrettyInPearls23

Sing2phins said:

This only just occurred to me after reading through this thread.  Most hospital gowns I've ever been given don't really fit me that well as a plus-sized person.  Obviously gowns for pregnant laboring ladies are bigger, but will they have ones to fit me (I was a pre-preg 18/20)?

I was knocking on the door of 275lbs when I delivered DS. The gown they gave me was extremely roomy and comfortable and honestly, it didn't even cross my mind they wouldn't have one that fit. They see patients of all kinds of sizes and shapes (think about average women who come in pg with multiples??) so I'm sure they're well prepared.

bmqcmg

My hospital doesn't give you a choice. I asked if I could keep my sports bra on during DDs labour and they told me no that everything needed to come off and hospital gown needed to be put on.

I wouldn't spend the money on something fancy, you can change your gown multiple times due to water breaking, blood, etc. and I wouldn't want that getting on something I bought. I did however bring a robe and wore that over my gown to cover up my back area whenever I got up to walk around.

imakeeff0rts

AshleyF1234 said:

As for why: personally I don't want to wear a hospital gown because I think they are ugly. I know there will be a lot of pictures taken right after the birth and I would prefer to not be wearing a generic hospital gown in them. I know I won't care at the time... but I care now and most likely will when I look back at them.

I hope you're able to shower, put on your makeup, and do your hair, too...

Sing2phins said:

This only just occurred to me after reading through this thread.  Most hospital gowns I've ever been given don't really fit me that well as a plus-sized person.  Obviously gowns for pregnant laboring ladies are bigger, but will they have ones to fit me (I was a pre-preg 18/20)?

Hospitals get gowns in a variety of sizes. If you're uncomfortable in what they give you, just ask for a bigger gown. Shouldn't be a big deal, but if you want to make sure beforehand, just give L&D a quick call and ask. I've found that they're really pretty accommodating. 

imakeeff0rts

bmqcmg said:

My hospital doesn't give you a choice. I asked if I could keep my sports bra on during DDs labour and they told me no that everything needed to come off and hospital gown needed to be put on.

That's in case you code or have some other kind of emergency. Hospital gowns are designed to pretty much rip open in case someone needs intervention - sports bras are not. Sure it can be cut off, but that's just an extra layer that gets in the way when it's really not necessary. 

msronzio

imakeeff0rts said:

bmqcmg said:

My hospital doesn't give you a choice. I asked if I could keep my sports bra on during DDs labour and they told me no that everything needed to come off and hospital gown needed to be put on.

That's in case you code or have some other kind of emergency. Hospital gowns are designed to pretty much rip open in case someone needs intervention - sports bras are not. Sure it can be cut off, but that's just an extra layer that gets in the way when it's really not necessary. 

That's what I thought, but I wasn't sure. See, I knew there was a reason they give you that damned hospital gown...

imakeeff0rts

@msronzio
 Yep. It always irritated me when someone would come in and argue with me about what they wanted to wear. Ladies, there is a reason that hospital gowns are the way they are. If you want to beautify yourself or whatever, go for it. But for your safety, wear the gown. If you want to buy something, buy the pretty, overpriced hospital gowns that you can find on Etsy, Walmart, whatever. The important thing is that the hospital staff have access to you should there be an emergency. They don't want you to wear the gown because they think it's funny, or because they're sadists, but because there is a reason.

Edited because for whatever reason I have issues with quotes sometimes. And for word choice.

kdjudd

You can buy your own gowns online. Honestly, I just was naked the whole time. When you are hot and in pain it isn't worth the fight with clothes :P

Arielle27

AFwifelife said:

AshleyF1234 said:

I'm with you. I don't want to wear the hospital gown either. I have seen push gowns or birth gowns on Zulily and you can google them... but don't know yet if my hospital will let me wear one. 

As for why: personally I don't want to wear a hospital gown because I think they are ugly. I know there will be a lot of pictures taken right after the birth and I would prefer to not be wearing a generic hospital gown in them. I know I won't care at the time... but I care now and most likely will when I look back at them.

If you are really going to buy a gown to wear so that you can look pretty in your pictures, I would recommend buying a few sets.  If you are having a long labor, you will want to change.  You will bleed on it and possibly throw up on it. 

And poo. And pee.

memali26

Ditto everyone else, just wear the hospital gown. Birth, while a beautiful miracle, is really, really gross. With DD1 my water broke and soaked my socks (and the poor nurses shoes) and those went directly in the garbage. And those were just socks - I refuse to consider what clothes might have looked like if I had been wearing them and not the gown.

And for PP who was concerned about gown size - I'm not quite considered plus size, but I'm not petite, either. The gowns are really roomy, and they will give you a larger size if you feel it would be more comfortable. They've always given me two - one to wear the whole time, and the second to use as a robe when I was up walking/sitting in the chair/had visitors.

momof2buggs

I just wore my jammy shirts and sweats which I took off when I was ready to push. It was pretty hard to move around while in that much pain, but it is so much better than those hideous gowns they want you in. I never let them do cervical checks while I was laboring, so having the sweats on wasn't a big deal. So much more comfy!

HFrizzle

Why are some so worried about what you look like during labor? You will look like shit! It hurts, you cry, blow snot bubbles, puke, shake, sweat, you shit while you push....no ones birth is pretty and trust me, when it all comes down to brass tacks, you will give a rip if you are wearing your designer $75 dollar hospital gown or their generic one. All you will want is that baby out and you could care less how they do it.

And I completely agree with the PP who said they do it for a reason. God forbid you have a heart attack or hemorrhage, because they will cut that stuff off you faster than you can say "Do I look pretty?"

leahaustin

I am going for the hospital gown all the way. It is going to get ruined. I guess if you are absolutely opposed you could always buy your own gown...

imakeeff0rts

HFrizzle said:

Why are some so worried about what you look like during labor? You will look like shit! It hurts, you cry, blow snot bubbles, puke, shake, sweat, you shit while you push....no ones birth is pretty and trust me, when it all comes down to brass tacks, you will give a rip if you are wearing your designer $75 dollar hospital gown or their generic one. All you will want is that baby out and you could care less how they do it. And I completely agree with the PP who said they do it for a reason. God forbid you have a heart attack or hemorrhage, because they will cut that stuff off you faster than you can say "Do I look pretty?"

This. 100% for the love of God...all of this.

msronzio

@BrittAnnie19 Very good point  =D>

Also your sig is making me hungry!

lolkat82

Just wear the gown and don't be a pain-in-the-ass patient- seriously.

RedLucia

Most of the hospitals where I live offer gowns, but also give you a list of other clothing to bring:

-gown short and loose

-warm housecoat/robe

-extra stockings

-sandals and/or slippers

-comfortable bed clothing for postpartum

-clean outfit to wear home

I am also bringing a comfortable sports bra and a loose short skirt to wear instead of a gown.

For husband/partner:

-swimsuit to wear in Jacuzzi

-flipflops

-pajamas

-house robe

-clean change of daytime clothing

They also suggest bringing anything else that will make you feel relaxed and comfortable (your own colorful pillowcase, etc.) 

mobilejen

I'm assuming that you've obviously never witnessed a birth.  Beyond all of the reasons others listed above (shitting all over your pretty gown etc.), the most important reason not to wear a non-hospital gown is that when someone needs a crash c-section, they need it now, because the baby is compromised.  If you want to take the time to have your clothes changed or more than likely cut off of you, while your baby is not receiving enough oxygen to it's brain, go ahead, I hope it's worth the anoxia.  Sorry, to be blunt, but what is your priority?  Besides, the ugly gown is great practice for how you will look the first few month, spit up, baby pooh, and breast milk all over you.  It's not a fashion show & your cute gown may get in the way of your care when every second counts (i.e. code blue or emergent c-section).  You'll soon learn that there's more to life than looking good.  Err on the side of caution & wear the ugly gown that everyone else there will be wearing.

Also, to the poster who was worried about whether or not the hospital would have a large enough gown, all hospitals have plus size gowns that I've seen fit pts up to 500 lbs.  You can call ahead to be sure, but in this day & age hospitals have all kinds of equipment for bariatric patients.  

SiaBia

For photo reasons.. and to think of how many other mothers gave birth in the same gown. ICK!

HFrizzle

SiaBia said:

For photo reasons.. and to think of how many other mothers gave birth in the same gown. ICK!

You're a FTM, aren't you??? LOL

Do you do this with public toilets too? Once you deliver, they do clean you up and change your entire gown, bedding etc. You realize the gowns are washed & completely sanitized? :-O It's not like you are sitting in blood stained gowns.

I seriously can't wait to see all the pics from when their babies are born and everyone looks all jacked up.

SiaBia

HFrizzle said:

SiaBia said:

For photo reasons.. and to think of how many other mothers gave birth in the same gown. ICK!

You're a FTM, aren't you??? LOL

Do you do this with public toilets too? Once you deliver, they do clean you up and change your entire gown, bedding etc. You realize the gowns are washed & completely sanitized? :-O It's not like you are sitting in blood stained gowns.

I seriously can't wait to see all the pics from when their babies are born and everyone looks all jacked up.

You are very negative and disrespectful.

imakeeff0rts

HFrizzle said:

SiaBia said:

For photo reasons.. and to think of how many other mothers gave birth in the same gown. ICK!

You're a FTM, aren't you??? LOL

Do you do this with public toilets too? Once you deliver, they do clean you up and change your entire gown, bedding etc. You realize the gowns are washed & completely sanitized? :-O It's not like you are sitting in blood stained gowns.

I seriously can't wait to see all the pics from when their babies are born and everyone looks all jacked up.

Uh, yeah. That.

The gowns aren't washed in regular detergent. The detergent used kills everything, removes stains, etc. Also, you're not going to look like pretty, pretty princess when you're done pushing a kid out of your vag/having a c-section. You're going to look like a mess...because you just pushed a kid out of your vag or had major surgery. 

And like I said before, and another PP pointed out, by not wearing the gown, you're making access to you more difficult in case you do code, hemorrhage, need an emergency c-section, etc. 

But I guess since none of that matters to you, go ahead and go get your makeup and hair professionally done and pack your sexy underpants and push up bra. Good luck to you.

I'm calling it guys. I can't hold the facepalming off anymore. 

redfallon

I am so glad I came across this post. I would have never thought that I had any other option other than to wear the icky hospital gown. I think I'm going to get my wedding dress out of its box and take it with me to wear instead. I'm sure it won't fit over my bump at this point, but I don't have to zip it, right? Oh, and I'm gonna bring my wedding shoes, too! Hmmm, I wonder if I can get a walk-in appt at the hairdresser on the way to the hospital to make sure that my hair is done, too?

Sigh... decisions, decisions...

imakeeff0rts

@SiaBia, the abuse flag is not a dislike button. But thanks for playing.

HFrizzle

SiaBia said:

HFrizzle said:

SiaBia said:

For photo reasons.. and to think of how many other mothers gave birth in the same gown. ICK!

You're a FTM, aren't you??? LOL

Do you do this with public toilets too? Once you deliver, they do clean you up and change your entire gown, bedding etc. You realize the gowns are washed & completely sanitized? :-O It's not like you are sitting in blood stained gowns.

I seriously can't wait to see all the pics from when their babies are born and everyone looks all jacked up.

You are very negative and disrespectful.

LMAO You've made my day.

allurea

imakeeff0rts said:

@SiaBia, the abuse flag is not a dislike button. But thanks for playing.

Eh, let her keep using it, it's only going to hurt herself in the long run, I mean, they did say this...

"The Bump will keep records of all reported posts and handle abusers of this flagging privilege individually."