Those who had their babies...modesty during L&D?

Nesaea2012 · February 2012

Okay, so I have a stupid question for the women who have had thier babies.

Are you allowed some type of modesty during labor and delivery?

People have told me that you won't really care when you are in the moment...but am I allowed to wear my bra (it is a nursing bra) and can I have a drape or something to have over my legs? Not to cover myself like when you have an exam...but just to hold over my theighs so MIL, Mom, and DH who is worried about passing out won't see everything down there?

Will the nurses and doctor think I am insane if I ask? I am being induced on Monday and I am trying to mentally prepare myself...thanks in advance!

katea81 · February 2012

They made me take off mu underwear (bra included) so it might be up to your hospital's rules.

In regards to keeping covered, I was totally covered until I started to push. When I started to push, there was NO modesty what so ever. They had me in a lot of different positions so there was no way I would have been able to keep covered had I even wanted to. I am glad that only my DH was with me because it would have been awkward with my other family members there.

**I will say, however, that my L&D nurse was one of my student's mothers. At first it was pretty weird, but I honestly didn't care.

Jen0204 · February 2012

I had a c-section, but I was in the room for my nephew's delivery and had zero desire to see that much of my sister. She had a hospital gown on during delivery but not tied or anything so once he was out they just pulled the gown down a little so they could have him skin to skin. During her labor when they checked her I just made sure I wasn't at the foot of her bed, and while she was giving birth I was near her head and once I saw a hemorrhoid pop out I just stopped looking. Her gown covered her down her waist, so it's not like she was completely nude. That is standard for births at my hospital, but each could be different. I don't think they'd let you have anything over your thighs because it seems like that could get in their way, but it can't hurt to ask. If the people you have in the room don't want to see much it's very easy for them to focus on you and helping you focus and push rather then looking down below. Good luck!

Shmogan09 · February 2012

I wore my nursing bra the whole time. He came too quick to get a sheet over my legs but I think I remember having one with DS1. No harm in asking, if there isn't a real medical reason I doubt they will say no.

pinkshades05 · February 2012

I thought I would want to have clothes on while I was in labor, but as soon as I went into the labor tub, all modesty went out the window. I as completely naked when I gave birth and in the moment, I really didn't care--I just wanted her out! Afterwards, the modesty came back

frasey · February 2012

Im usually pretty modest... I had my baby at home, so I could really wear whatever I wanted. I had a t-shirt on the whole time, and just took my bottoms off when it was time to push. I felt most comfortable that way.

Im sure you could ask to be covered or wear a tshirt or whatever!

liberty95 · February 2012

I wore my nursing bra until I got my epidural and then had to remove it because it would've been in the way.

SeptemberBride'08 · February 2012

I was covered until it was time to push. During pushing I could have cared less who saw what.

Shawnee11507 · February 2012

My hospital had me take everything off under my gown (bra included) and my gown wasn't even tied.

nickert2000 · February 2012

I wore a bra the whole time with both previous babies and that was all. I also only had my husband in the room there was no extended family to think anything about. But really you will prob not care at the time.

Your husband can always stay near your head. And FYI: it was not birth that bothered my husband in fact he was in the tub with me and helped the Dr with the baby when I delivered but it was the placenta that almost made him pass out....

poobear2015 · February 2012

I will tell you - I'm one of the shyest people ever. I won't even let my own mother see my boob hanging out and she gave birth to me! BUT that said, I have completely changed in a 24 hr period. When we got to L&D and she said, everything off - here's your gown - I felt so strange walking back, leaking fluid all over the floor as I walked to the bed. I had my "goodies" out for show for 3 straight hours of pushing. Granted, it was only the dr, nurses, nursing students, and DH - but you don't have much of a choice. In the moment - you're more concerned about getting that LO into your arms than anything else. If you are inviting family in - you have to understand that you won't really be able to "hide" anything. Since then - I even breast fed in front of my father. Gotta get the job done somehow - and I didn't feel like kicking him out for 20 min when he was so excited just to be with his only daughter and grand daughter. Now THAT I could change - but after all I went through - I really didn't care at that point.

jju_stb_jju · February 2012

Where I delivered they made me take everything off. Then when it came time to push, I only had my dh and my mom in the room, and my momshear had told me she was going to stay by my back to help me by pushing me forward to deliver and also because she didn't want to see everything. My dh had that same plan but when the dr asked him if he wanted to see, he excitedly moved over and saw everything as it waaaaaaaaaa happening! I would ask your nurses once you get to the hospital or even before hand, call and ask!

Lena122 · February 2012

I felt the same way as you OP!

However I wasn't allowed to wear anything under my gown. Thinking back, when it came time to push a bra may have made me feel uncomfortable anyway.

During labor I was completely covered up and the nurses were good about keeping me covered when they had to move my monitors or change the bed pad. I had on the gown but also blankets so I didn't feel like I was letting it all hang out.

During pushing my top was covered but I was bare from the waste down. I had an epidural so I didn't have much choice in positioning so I was laying on my back with my knees pulled up as close to my head as I could so everything down there was hanging out. If you do have control over your positioning you may be able to be a bit more modest by squatting or something.

It's true though, once you're pushing you just don't care.

mkarns · February 2012

I was allowed to keep my bra on but from the waist down it was just kind of "anything goes". Only DH was in the room though, and I agree with PP...When you're pushing you don't give a hoot. You just want your baby to arrive safely.

susie2242 · February 2012

I agree with everyone here. I do think it helps that you can't really see your own lady bits with the belly in the way. As soon as he was out though and off to be cleaned up and I looked down and saw the haircut DH had given me for the first time I was a little embarrassed, for like a milisecond, then all I cared about was holding LO again.

I asked DH about it and he said he thought he might be embarrassed for me having to be spread eagle in a room of people but he said at the moment he didn't even care.

Everyone is so professional about it, that helps.

Jillibean85 · February 2012

I am VERY modest, even in front of my own Mom (as a PP said)... Originally only my DH was to be in the room, but my Mom ended up being in there as well, and let me tell you... As soon as the pain kicks in and into the pushing phase, the LAST thing on your mind is anyone seeing your bits, true story. There probably won't be an easy way to keep them covered either, as your knees will be by your ears basically!

Don't sweat it, though... You can ask, but I'm just saying, it will most likely all go out the window until the baby comes out! GL!

Hunterloren · February 2012

I couldn't deliver vaginally, but I actually found it pretty cool when everyone started talking about how they could see the top of his head in there. I was curled up with everything exposed to the ceiling. Oh well. It was me, DH, MIL, nursing students, and the dr.

Kriz_b · February 2012

I am someone who is so uncomfortable without some sort of bra on. All my pj tops have the shelf bra in them (which is rather a joke for someone with big boobs, but I like the extra feeling of 'support') I just can't go without a bra on. With my son, when they first told me to take everything off I thought there was no way I could do it all day without a bra. By the end of the day when I had my son I didn't even notice. However, as soon as I was done I threw a pj top on so I had my 'support' back.

It doesn't hurt to ask and they might even let you keep it on until close to pushing. Good luck with your induction!

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