Cart WAY BEFORE HORSE question (2nd time moms)

BetchySprout · September 2010

When you gave birth, did you wear the hospital gown, or something else?

I am plus sized and I did not feel comfortable in that gown at all, even the plus sized one. Not even a little.

I have two of those Old Navy fold over skirts that were so popular last time I was pregnant (they are non-maternity but the girls on these boards went nuts for them). Wouldn't one of those and maybe a nursing tank work just as well? I am not worried about either getting ruined, they are two years old and in black and brown.

weelass24 · September 2010

I wore the gown. I did because I knew it would be thin, give super easy access to the epi if I caved and got one (I did) and that I could easily get rid of it once I was done.

I ended up being in such bad shape in the nether region that I stayed in them the whole time I was there. I had really terrible roids from pushing and had zero bladder control. I preferred to ruin their stuff rather than min. LOL

BetchySprout · September 2010

weelass24:
I wore the gown. I did because I knew it would be thin, give super easy access to the epi if I caved and got one (I did) and that I could easily get rid of it once I was done.
I ended up being in such bad shape in the nether region that I stayed in them the whole time I was there. I had really terrible roids from pushing and had zero bladder control. I preferred to ruin their stuff rather than min. LOL

That is the one issue I have is the epi. I had a c/s last time and never really "got there" in the room. Hmm I will have to think about that. I would rather ruin their stuff.

ncbelle · September 2010

First - congrats!!!

To answer your question...by the time I was pushing, I'd ditched the gown and was in the buff - and I'm a pretty modest person. I just did not care at that point. But I think the skirt and tank would be fine; the only down side might be how easy the skirt is to "get under" - I have one and it's not really flow-y enough. They do sell birth skirts though which might be another option?

staycee · September 2010

plus sized, and I wore the gown. I don't remember having a choice.

ended up with a csection - changed into my own gown 2 days later once I could move enough to shower.

BetchySprout · September 2010

ncbelle:
First - congrats!!!
To answer your question...by the time I was pushing, I'd ditched the gown and was in the buff - and I'm a pretty modest person. I just did not care at that point. But I think the skirt and tank would be fine; the only down side might be how easy the skirt is to "get under" - I have one and it's not really flow-y enough. They do sell birth skirts though which might be another option?

Holy crap I didn't know you were pregnant again! Congrats to you as well!

I have seen the birth skirts and they really are similar in "billowyness" to the foldover skirt IMO but I know Binsi makes several versions. Those do sling under the belly though, and the foldover can sling under or over. I can see myself getting naked :-) After NIP I have lost all sense of modesty, even though nobody ever saw boobage!

Klmorgan83 · September 2010

I wore the gowns for labor and for the next 24 hours after my c-section until I could shower. After that I put on a nightgown that allowed for easy nursing and a robe. I didn't really worry about ruining them because I'd just pull them up so I wasn't actually sitting on them. I didn't have any issues doing that.

weelass24 · September 2010

staycee:

plus sized, and I wore the gown. I don't remember having a choice.

ended up with a csection - changed into my own gown 2 days later once I could move enough to shower.

I always forget you had a c/s, although I don;t know how that is possible. Are you trying for VBAC?

BetchySprout · September 2010

staycee:
plus sized, and I wore the gown. I don't remember having a choice.
ended up with a csection - changed into my own gown 2 days later once I could move enough to shower.

I am waaay plus-size-ier IIRC. My hospital is pretty lax on it, I saw other moms in labor using other stuff. However, for a repeat c/s I would of course go with the gown. It is the pacing the hallways in the gown thing that gets me...

labooshki · September 2010

I wore the gown. I just wanted the baby here, I could have cared less about what I was wearing!

iris427 · September 2010

I wore the gown, but I think I would like to wear my own clothes this time. Honestly, there is something about putting on an institutional uniform that I don't like. I feel like subconsciously it puts you into that patient mindset and that is not how I want to feel when I am giving birth next time. Especially since as a VBAC and mom wanting to avoid epidurals and routine interventions, I'll probably face some pressure to conform already.

Unless I have a home birth.

BetchySprout · September 2010

labooshki:
I wore the gown. I just wanted the baby here, I could have cared less about what I was wearing!

LOL I am not talking about fashion here, just comfort.

staycee · September 2010

weelass24:
staycee:

plus sized, and I wore the gown. I don't remember having a choice.

ended up with a csection - changed into my own gown 2 days later once I could move enough to shower.

I always forget you had a c/s, although I don;t know how that is possible. Are you trying for VBAC?

not sure. doubtful. After last c/s the doc came in and told me that the reason my 6 pound baby never dropped (after 31 hours of labor on pitocin)was because I had some sort of prominent bone. Her quote was she didn't think "any baby would ever get past that".

I've discussed with my peri. If I get to 39 weeks, they'll just do a csection again. OR I can just go ahead and schedule one now (not for "now", but get a date all picked), OR if I go into labor on my own earlier than 39w, they can see how I progress - and if it's not to their liking, go ahead and c/s me again. Those are my options for this time around. They will NOT induce again after having a c-section.

I'm betting I'll just have a c/s again right around 39 weeks. I recovered really really quickly last time, even after not sleeping while in labor for almost 2 days.

ajanes · September 2010

I labored and delivered in their hospital gown. I changed into a clean one after delivery and then changed into my own clothes (pj pants and a nursing top) when I showered the next morning.

MorgansMommy1 · September 2010

I labored and delivered in a gown and was able to shower ( I didn't take the epi and the nurse took pity and let me shower as long as DH stood right their! She was an ANGEL) and change into normal PJ's that I had before we walked over to postpartum.

VTbride05 · September 2010

I wore the gown.

luvdv8 · September 2010

I wore the gown- and the nurses changed me before I could even stand after the epi because it was such a mess. Then I ruined a second one before I was even able to get out of bed safely on my own. Once I was able to shower I changed into a wrap dress- the doctors were still able to have access to everything to check, I was able to pump, but it was just more comfortable.

scaneiki · September 2010

I stayed in the gown. I was in so much pain from having my tailbone dislocated that I couldn't move and was in no shape to change. I was in so much pain that I didn't even feel my episitomy and severe tearing. That's what I get for delivering an almost 10 lber without an epi.

LadyXaverian · September 2010

Pattypoundcake:

When you gave birth, did you wear the hospital gown, or something else?

I am plus sized and I did not feel comfortable in that gown at all, even the plus sized one. Not even a little.

I have two of those Old Navy fold over skirts that were so popular last time I was pregnant (they are non-maternity but the girls on these boards went nuts for them). Wouldn't one of those and maybe a nursing tank work just as well? I am not worried about either getting ruined, they are two years old and in black and brown.

I had 2 of these! (I wasn't pregnant, I just liked them.) That was when I was wayyy skinnier, though. They would never fit me now, but heck yeah, they would've been great maternity-like skirts.

I can see what you're saying about the gown being a little awkward/uncomfortable. Since I don't know any better, I will probably just go with the gown unless something else is offered/suggested.

TexasAlly · September 2010

I'm plus sized and wore the gown. I remember that there was so much blood. I understand that you don't care about getting rid of the skirt, but I'm pretty sure they changed my gown after birth and got rid of the dirty one. If that's the case with you, then you'll still end up having to wear a gown.

Also - as with what PP said, I'm not sure that you have a choice.

TexasAlly · September 2010

Pattypoundcake:
staycee:

plus sized, and I wore the gown. I don't remember having a choice.

ended up with a csection - changed into my own gown 2 days later once I could move enough to shower.

I am waaay plus-size-ier IIRC. My hospital is pretty lax on it, I saw other moms in labor using other stuff. However, for a repeat c/s I would of course go with the gown. It is the pacing the hallways in the gown thing that gets me...

I didn't think about pacing the hallways. I'm am a pro med mamma and had an epi, so there was no pacing for me. I think that if I were pacing the hallways, I would feel more comfy in my own clothes.

iris427 · September 2010

TexasAlly:
Also - as with what PP said, I'm not sure that you have a choice.

I can't imagine how you wouldn't have a choice. They can't refuse medical care for a woman in labor based on what she is wearing. Although it could create conflict with L&D staff if you refuse to wear the hospital gown.

TeamK07 · September 2010

I am on the modest side, but after 20 hrs of labor I didn't care who saw what, and didn't once think about how the gown felt on me. If a breast was showing I just covered it up or someone did it for me - it honestly wasn't a big deal - they have seen it all!

If you wore a skirt I think they would have to fold the back of the skirt up behind your back once you start pushing (and everytime they check you for dialation) and they will end up folding the top part up too during pushing. As for the tank if you go epi free you "should" be fine - they may have to lift it up if it is too tight to get the baby monitors on your stomach (aka the monitors may not fit underneath the tank).

ETA - bring a bathrobe so if you are up and around walking or trying a new position you can cover yourself up.

MG7 · September 2010

Hey congrats!!!!!

I wore the gown for the birth and my own stuff afterwards when I was in my room. I made the mistake of packing a labor bag and an small bag for the room back - as suggested by the hospital. DH forgot and kept forgetting to bring the small bag so I only had the clothes I came into the hospital in and spent most of my time in a tank top and bathrobe.

MorgansMommy1 · September 2010

TexasAlly:
Pattypoundcake:
staycee:

plus sized, and I wore the gown. I don't remember having a choice.

ended up with a csection - changed into my own gown 2 days later once I could move enough to shower.

I am waaay plus-size-ier IIRC. My hospital is pretty lax on it, I saw other moms in labor using other stuff. However, for a repeat c/s I would of course go with the gown. It is the pacing the hallways in the gown thing that gets me...

I didn't think about pacing the hallways. I'm am a pro med mamma and had an epi, so there was no pacing for me. I think that if I were pacing the hallways, I would feel more comfy in my own clothes.

I was given another hosp gown (because I had an IV for antibiotics for group b strep) with the snaps to wear as a robe. I am a bigger girl and I felt totally comfortable wearing this. Well not the elastic underwear and mega pad because my water had already broke, but that is a whole different story... Wink

MaybeBaby2 · September 2010

I wore the hospital gown. Didn't love it, but didn't think twice really.

2bejunebride06 · September 2010

I would have loved to wear my own clothes during labor, but I wasn't allowed to. I specifically wanted to keep my bra on, but they said absolutely not. I have since learned that the only thing they are allowed to dictate at my hospital is that you have the IV, but they were pretty convincing at the time. This next time around I'll probably just go for the gown again since I didn't mind it much - but I'm still going to fight to wear my bra!!

Bree4011 · September 2010

I would think you wouldn't be allowed to wear your own clothes. I know that they like to have everything loose and open for easy access. If you had to go in for an emergency c-section, they would want you to be easy to prep for surgery which I think would mean you should be wearing nothing but the gown.

GypsyEsq · September 2010

I labored in an Old Navy maternity tank, nothing on the bottom - when I walked the halls I put on one gown open to the back and a second open to the front. It was ok, next time I'd like to try a Binsi skirt. Or something along those lines.

ahungerford · September 2010

I labored and delivered in a hospital gown. I thought about it a lot before I went to the hospital, and had kind of wanted to be in my own clothes (even if it was my own hospital-style gown) but it wouldn't have mattered anyway, because when I hit transition labor I threw up all over myself. So I would have been put in a hospital gown at that point.

The truth is, birth is totally messy. I'd rather get it all over their clothes, not mine. Afterward, though, I totally wore my own clothes - and it helped me feel more normal as I was recovering.

hudsaunt1 · September 2010

I am plus size & I wore the hospital gown. I didn't want to ruin my stuff & I don't want to ruin it this time around either. I did get a "granny" robe to walk around the hospital in & I still have it....I will be sexy!!

eisenberg0814 · September 2010

I hope this will ease your concerns... I am a very modest person - I wear sleeves over my elbows at 35C. Anyway, one thing with labor is, you lose all modesty. They will make you put on a gown. and you will not even think about it. Dont worry, birth is something wonderful!

mollymurphy · September 2010

I wore my own clothes (and even earrings!) through L&D (black sports bra, black yoga pants, white v-neck t-shirt.) It probably wouldn't have been a big deal either way, but my hospital didn't provide gowns.

The t-shirt was a cheap Hanes t and perfect: my midwife threw it away before I left the delivery room and it was pretty gunked up b/c she handed LO to me right after he was born and my t-shirt did the job of cleaning him up. Everything else was black and washed up just fine.

beachbride5 · September 2010

i'll probably still wear the gown for the actual birthing part, but for the hospital stay i intend to go with a nursing bra and a zip hoodie or something else equally accessible. i hated the nursing portion of the gowns and found it not at all conducive to actually feeding a baby discreetly. honestly i didn't have too many visitors so to go bottomless except for those SWEET mesh things they give you to wear wouldn't be bad.

i'm not sure if the docs would have to cut the tank to allow for the epi, and i'm sure are not going to want to have to strip you should they need to quickly do a c/s to get baby out. there's probably regulations about that. however, i did know a girl who ordered her own gown-it was really cute, but still a hospital gown. not sure if someone else's sizing would work better for you.

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