Silly Waterbirth Question

Dman85 · October 2012

I am an over-thinker and planner. With that said, what did you wear if you had a waterbirth? Just a bikini top or maternity shirt? I know I don't want to be full on naked, but was trying to think what would be somewhat comfortable to wear.

mAnYaSha · October 2012

I am pondering this as well. I got a sports bra for the top and contemplating what to do with the bottom. I do not really want wet fabrick clinging everywhere, but then again, we are going to be ona video, so it might not be a bad idea ...

abell77 · October 2012

So, I didn't actually give birth in a tub, but with my first I labored for a long time in there and was thinking I would deliver in the water. Anyway, I just wore a sports bra-like top. I don't know exactly what kind of material it was but it was more like a bathing suit material, not cotton.

Sawyerplus1 · October 2012

I've had 2 water births and was naked in both. By those points in labor I didn't care about what I was wearing. I think wet fabric on my skin would have been an annoyance/distraction too. Plus I wanted immediate skin to skin and nursing. Not having to peel off a wet sports bra just simplified things.

I've seen plenty of pictures of women laboring in tubs wearing sports bras though, and the occasional picture with something on the bottom too. Whatever you're comfortable with at the time (and really I dont think there's any way to predict that ahead of time).

frlcb · October 2012

Sawyerplus1:
I've had 2 water births and was naked in both. By those points in labor I didn't care about what I was wearing. I think wet fabric on my skin would have been an annoyance/distraction too. Plus I wanted immediate skin to skin and nursing. Not having to peel off a wet sports bra just simplified things.
I've seen plenty of pictures of women laboring in tubs wearing sports bras though, and the occasional picture with something on the bottom too. Whatever you're comfortable with at the time (and really I dont think there's any way to predict that ahead of time).

All of this. With my first I labored in the tub, naked, and with my second I labored and delivered in the tub, naked. I thought with both I would wear a sports bra but I really, really didn't care.

Alliebooberz · October 2012

I was in and out of the jacuzzi when I was in labor and I was most comfortable naked. I didn't want to have to sit in a wet swim suit or fight to get out of it and then try to put it back on.

Squirrel29 · October 2012

I wore a knee length black t-shirt style nightgown with my regular bra and underwear on my way to the hospital. When I checked in I took off my underwear and they checked my dilation while filling the tub. I was dilated to 7 and wanted to get into the water ASAP. I simply took off my nightgown and got in. I kept my bra on the entire time. Unfortunately it was a pink bra (just my regular bra) so there are a few pictures where you can see my nipple through the bra but for the most part you can't see anything because I was holding the baby to my chest. I had packed a dark blue sports bra but in the heat of the moment I didn't care.

wifeofadam · October 2012

I wore the top from a maternity tankini. One time my friend did the same thing and the other time she wore a maternity tank top.

jmphi · October 2012

I didn't actually deliver in the tub (it was against hospital policy then but now I'll get my full water birth--yay!) but I wore a basic cotton sports bra and no bottoms. The doctors and nurses usually don't want you in bottoms in case baby starts coming out or in case they need to do a check. I recommend a sports bra over a bikini top because the ties at the neck and back of a bikini top might make an irritating bump that you can't lean against. GL!

barnwife · October 2012

It never occurred to me to think about this ahead of time. With J. I labored in a sport bra and boxers. When my CNM did my only cervical check, I took off the boxers. They never went back on. The sports bra came off after he was born for BF. (He wasn't a waterbirth.)

With A., I knew I'd wear whatever was comfortable for laboring. Though I planned on laboring in the water I never thought about what to wear in the tub. So there I was laboring. And the tub finally filled up. And my midwife suggested I pee before getting in. When I went to the bathroom, I just took my shorts off, but left my shirt on.

Then I left the bathroom (we have homebirths) and walked to the pool. As I was about to climb in, I thought "why should I get this t-shirt all wet?" and I stripped it and my bra off as I climbed in the pool.

I'd go with just a sports bra or bikini top if anything. And you never know what will feel comfortable in the moment. You just might strip down without even thinking about it. Or maybe you won't.

That's something you won't know until you are in labor!

apansey87 · October 2012

I am planning a water birth and have purchased a black bikini top and a dark colored swim skirt which is bathing suit material. The top is easy to pull aside for nursing and leaves plenty of skin available for skin to skin. The skirt allows the midwives to still have easy access to everything, it can be lifted if need be and then pulled back down and it won't hold water in a weird way like regular fabric would. I am one of those people who WILL care just because I HATE being over-exposed, and it would totally hinder my ability to stay in my hypnobirthing zone. If for some reason I can't birth in the tub, I'm bringing pajamas to wear instead. As a planner myself, I figured I should account for all labor possibilities

Dman85 · October 2012

Thanks ladies! I labored in the tub up until I had to push with my first (the water birth room wasn't finished yet) and I was naked. I put my gown back on when I got out though because I was freezing. I think I'll wear a sportsbra...I feel dumb for not even thinking about that! Both our mom's are going to be in the room this time, so I'd like my MIL to not see all the goods if she doesn't have to lol.

thebigmare4 · October 2012

Just keep in mind that you might feel entirely different about clothing when you are actually in labor!

annabelle.27 · October 2012

sportsbra.

ncbelle · October 2012

Nada! I also thought there was no way I'd birth in the buff but ended up doing so both times. When I was in heavy labor, I just did not care - and anything touching me was extremely irritating!

That said, I'd pick bikini top if anything - easy to get off if you decide to ditch it or want to nurse right away.

pixieprincss · October 2012

I wore a black short-sleeved shirt that was tight-fitting and short enough to end right below my breasts. (It was one of those shorter tops that were popular in the 90s and you'd pair them with higher-waisted pants.) Our birth pics were becoming part of the portfolio for a photographer, so modesty was key for me.

temptresskitten17 · October 2012

I'll probably be naked since I'm planning on setting up the tub in my bedroom, but if I do want to cover up then probably just a bikini top. Honestly, I don't really care if my boobs are on display though; I have nice boobs and the only ones who'll see them are DH and my midwife

Mrs.AmyDylan · October 2012

My Bradley Instructor suggested Binsi birthing clothes. They are a bit pricey, but apparently they have side closures for easy access for skin to skin and the skirt is flared and also has snaps for easy removal if it proves to be uncomfortable. I think the material is made to be light and unrestrictive, particurlarly for water birthing.

apansey87 · October 2012

thebigmare4:
Just keep in mind that you might feel entirely different about clothing when you are actually in labor!

Please don't take this personally, because this is something I have heard from multiple people (including the woman who did our private birthing classes), but I just don't get saying this. I can't help but take offense, which may be silly, but I equate it to the women who tell me "Get the epidural!" and when I say "I will not being doing that," they say "You may feel totally different during labor!"

Maybe I am just used to having to be overly defensive about choosing natural birthing in general, so anything projecting doubt on my choices bothers me, but as someone who has modesty concerns, this kind of comment rubs me the wrong way. If it was followed up by "I tried x and y, but ended up naked because neither was comfortable for ____ reasons" and shared a personal experience I could take into consideration when selecting my birthing wardrobe I would find it much more helpful.

Is it meant to say, don't spend a lot of time/money on it, because you may just end up stripping down? I guess the option of being naked is just obvious to me because that doesn't require any prep work or shopping LOL

Totally don't mean to hijack the thread either, just trying to understand

katsue0xo · October 2012

Bikini top

But, I don't feel comfortable being completely exposed. And, I like to share pics and share my story with others........my bare boobs not so much what I want shared! The knot in the back didn't bother me at all, and bikini tops are way easier to remove for feeding etc. Once I was in the tub, I stayed there so till I was done. It all depends on how you are comfortable!

Dman85 · October 2012

Ha you didn't hijack at all! I think a lot of people didn't look at my siggy and see that I have in fact been in labor before lol. Good luck to you on your birth!

PansyPants · October 2012

I didn't give birth in the tub but I did labor in it for a long time and was completely naked. I took a bikini to wear and by that point in my labor I didn't even remember I had it or care/notice that I was naked in front of people.

I am planning to have a water birth with this pregnancy and I was thinking I'll take a long maternity tank top in the unlikely event that I care about being naked. It's good to be prepared but also know that you should just go with the feeling while you're in labor. Nobody cares if you're naked except you, so don't worry about it if that's what you'd like to do.

qtssima · October 2012

I am modest, too. I bought a Hanky Panky lace tank top that has a printed pattern on it - super light, will cover the essentials, and easy to pull out of the way for skin to skin or BF'ing.

FWIW, I just watched a ton of water birth videos in my class - these took place in another country, and I would say about half of the women had some sort of top on - some just wore their regular lace bra, some wore a tankini top - one woman got in with a full on nightgown on. I think the key is to have something flexible enough that if you want to pull it down, it isn't complicated to do. Maybe a nursing tank? Good luck whatever you decide!

Bugg22 · October 2012

I have been planning on wearing a black bella band. It slides down easily, fits loosely, is dark, and is easy to nurse in

CandLind · October 2012

I had a sports bra ready in case I wanted it but to be honest when your in serious labor the last thing on your mind is if you have any clothes on or not.

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