bringing your own gown to hospital for laboring

rjnp78 · January 2014

as a nurse, I am hell bent on not using a hospital gown-- just uncomfortable and crappy.. I am a ftm hoping to go med free ie will be able to walk and move during labor---I've seen specific gowns on etsy w snaps down back , low top for nursing , lovely fabrics etc... but does that seem ridiculous??! I have one or two nursing nightgowns that may just do the trick. I want to be comfy, practical and not feel like a giant slob.. but don't wanna seem like a prissy diva in cutesy gown! any thoughts?!

slwprincess · January 2014

This question keeps popping up, and to be honest, I'm surprised as a nurse that you would WANT to buy your own? For labor- hospital gowns are the way to go. They will give you 2- one for the front and one to wear when you walk around to cover the backside. Labor is messy and gross and they just need to be able to have easy access so yeah... don't buy your own. And as for recovery, I personally HATE gowns- they get all tangled up in the bedsheets and ride up. It's impossible to get out of bed w/o flashing the room. I prefer loose fitting drawstring pj pants and a nursing tank. Bonus points if the pj's come with a button up top that you can pull on/take off as the cold/hot flashes hit.

BecksHRN · January 2014

I'm with @slwprincess - and I'm a nurse too- your pretty printed gown that could run as high as $40 for labor - covered in EVERYTHING. Use the hospital gown for delivery- I doubt I'll care what the hell I look like as long as LO gets here safely! For the following days - I've got those awesome draw string, surgical scrub pants from work that have been laundered a million times (and at home with Dreft!) and a nursing tank. I might change my tune if they are checking me frequently post partum - but even then - back in a hospital gown for this momma!

PinkLillyLover · January 2014

I plan to just wear the hospital gown. I am bringing my own maternity/nursing pajamas for after delivery when I am cleaned up.

versed · January 2014

I walked the hall in the hospital gown and hospital robe (robe was actually cute). Once in the room, I was stripped down to my night-nursing bra. I didn't want anything touching me through the final stage of labor and birth.

I, personally, would spend the extra money on clothes/gowns for labor or birth.

However, comfy clothes in recovery are a must. Just make sure whatever you wear allows the dr bare belly and crotch checks. My yoga pants and nursing tank and robe worked well.

slwprincess · January 2014

clb2196 said:

DreamingBabies said:

DreamingBabies said:

I don't think the hospital gowns are uncomfortable. They are lose and completely adjustable. I won't be spending money for a special gown, but to each their own.

That very much depends on what size you are, fwiw. I promise they are nothing near loose on me.
Sorry, I didn't mean to offend/put my foot in my mouth. I was just speaking about my experience.

No worries, I just think that part doesn't occur to a lot of people- heck it didn't to me til it happened! I asked about it on our tour in case they had bigger sizes- they don't, they just have you put a second one on backwards. No thanks.

clb2196 I do totally agree with you about spending money on comfort. Not trying to discourage anyone from doing what makes them comfy... just saying that I don't think it would have made me feel better.

notreal2 · January 2014

Just a gross TMI story, I came home 4 days later, took a nap, and woke up to a very messy couch. So, just for me, I won't feel comfortable wearing anything in the hospital that someone else won't be washing. If I could take the gowns home with me, I would. But that's just my personal laziness.

Scottnsaranhenri · January 2014

I hate the hospital gowns too. I don't find them comfortable at all. I did buy a labor gown that I am fully aware will get destroyed & I don't intend to save. It has openings for fetal monitoring & an epi if I chose one. It's made of soft jersey cotton which was a priority for me. Because I'm going for a VBAC I won't be able to get in the tub or shower, so I figured I should have something somewhat cute for moving around in. Just my preference.

slwprincess · January 2014

clb2196 - they do check you a lot, but pants really weren't an issue. Maybe it's because I had a c/s so they weren't really doing internals- more just checking my incision. The nurses also examined things when I got up to go to the bathroom the first 2 days so maybe that's another reason why pants didn't really seem to get in the way for me? Honestly, the best thing may be to find those really loose scrub pants with drawstrings. I had a pair with my first and those were AWESOME. Now I wonder where they got to???

notreal2 · January 2014

clb2196 said:

@notreal2 eek. I haven't used pads since high school and have horrible memories of them leaking. I got some Depends so maybe that will help? We have light color couches, should I be planning to sit on puppy pee pads?
@-)

I am going to put blankets on my new couch, but I figure it was probably a one time, extremely gross event.

MissDemeanor · January 2014

ashleen223 said:

Pretty sure I'll just be wearing a sports bra during labor if anything at all. In my birthing class they told us we could bring our own pillows for comfort but that we would only want them at the head of the bed. So, no I don't plan on buying a special gown for delivery. I think it's impractical. For recovery I have maternity pjs and yoga pants.

@ashleen223 My midwife suggested covering pillows in a kitchen sized garbage bag. You can always throw an old pillowcase on top of it. It might be crinkly, but at least it'll still be mine. Just wanted to pass on the tip.

funchicken · January 2014

I only had a really minor tear with DD2, so I don't remember getting checked that often. Maybe twice? Definitely not enough to make wearing yoga pants a problem or anything.

JackieP1023 · January 2014

I will be wearing the hospital gown while I am there. I don't want to ruin any of my own clothes! That said, I have had the hardest time deciding what i would bring to wear after delivery, once I want to feel more normal. So, like always, i'm overpacked! I have nursing tanks, maternity pants, a maternity dress, big comfy pj pants. I didn't invest in a ton of nursing specific clothes yet-i want to be absolutely sure I'm going to be able to nurse as long as I plan. Plus, many of the nursing specific clothes I would want, I'll need to special order, and sizing is hard!

I am kinda cheap like that, though... I don't like to spend money on things that I may or may not need/use!

micaelasmakeup · January 2014

I just wore the gown with dd during delivery, my chiropractor recommended a labor skirt??? I haven't even googled it but the gown was fine for me. I was advised be girls on TB last time that a robe was a waste. Bad advice. I'm bringing one this time.

versed · January 2014

@jackiep1023 - you don't really need nursing specific clothes to extended breastfeed. I've gotten by 19+m now with a few nursing bras and a few nursing tanks. Any clothes you can pull up or pull down allow you to breastfeed.

JackieP1023 · January 2014

NextVerseUnknown said:

@jackiep1023 - you don't really need nursing specific clothes to extended breastfeed. I've gotten by 19+m now with a few nursing bras and a few nursing tanks. Any clothes you can pull up or pull down allow you to breastfeed.

I was mainly meaning the tanks/bras. I have 2 tanks so far-to get me through at the hospital. I don't forsee having many times during the first few weeks where i can't get away to nurse. No visitors-who cares if i'm topless?! When we have visitors, i can always nurse in her room or my room. I will eventually have to get bras/more tanks, but i'm not too worried about it until we start getting adventurous/i go back to work

binny10 · January 2014

OP, Just something to think about... If you plan to do skin to skin immediatley after baby is born the hospital gowns make it really easy. With DS my nurse literally just ripped open the snaps on the gown right before he was born and they put him directly on my chest. Obviously if you have/ buy something that opens in the front that would make skin to skin easy too.

That said I'll def. be using hospital gowns for round two- it was messy business!

gfam23 · January 2014

clb2196 said:

slwprincess said:

clb2196 - they do check you a lot, but pants really weren't an issue. Maybe it's because I had a c/s so they weren't really doing internals- more just checking my incision. The nurses also examined things when I got up to go to the bathroom the first 2 days so maybe that's another reason why pants didn't really seem to get in the way for me? Honestly, the best thing may be to find those really loose scrub pants with drawstrings. I had a pair with my first and those were AWESOME. Now I wonder where they got to???

Yeah I think it's more if they need to check internal stitches? Hey maybe I won't tear and won't have any.

@notreal2 eek. I haven't used pads since high school and have horrible memories of them leaking. I got some Depends so maybe that will help? We have light color couches, should I be planning to sit on puppy pee pads?

@-)

I've had 3 vag deliveries and pants are not an issue. I had stitches and they only checked the amount of blood on the pad. Glamorous job, huh?

iwubrory · January 2014

I was constantly getting checked when I had DS and I didn't even tear too badly. I didn't put pants on until it was time to go home. I'm assuming it will be the same way this time. I'm packing some pairs of comfy pants but don't expect to wear them.

rjnp78 · January 2014

well thanks for the input ladies ! hospital gowns tend to slip off shoulders , half the snaps are worn and I don't want to wear robe or back gown If I am hot-- but to each her own is right .. but I will steer away from those etsy gowns-- especially now that I am reminded how messy things can get - if I can find something on the cheapie at jc penny's or target or something I will be a happy camper !! soft , button down , no sleeves and long enough for my height .. let's see what I can find

Ladyburd · January 2014

I say for all moms do what feels best to you. I also work in a hospital and don't want to wear a hospital gown. There are different clothing/brands thay can be used. Pretty pusher makes a birthing gown. I am going to wear a wrap that ties in the front. It's a beach wrap that I don't mind getting ruined. I usually put it on when I get out of the shower. It's soft, light weight and b/c I tie it at the chest my belly will be open for the monitors. It will also be easy to do kangaroo care after birth. It's also long enough to cover my body when I'm walking around. If need be, I'll throw on some loose sweats or shorts under if I need to walk the halls.

Arangia · January 2014

I bought a cheap clearance robe from target. It's a soft material (I am weird about sensory stuff at times, especially when I'm under stress, which is why I delivered in nothing but a sports bra last time).

Hoping that it works well this time and post delivery will be way more comfortable to wear for the day or two spent in the hospital, and certainly easier to nurse in.

theseaword · January 2014

I'll chime in. I am not a picky person at all, but I do remember feeling pretty uncomfortable in the gown first time around. I considered getting my own for this time, but didn't.
Even though I spent about 90% of my most recent labor in the tub, naked, I still wish I had brought my own gown. I had a good birth experience overall but I think I would have felt that much more comfortable and in control (if that makes sense) if I had something more physically comfortable on. Sensations during labor are extremely important. To me, wanting a more comfortable fabric (nothing to do with looking cute) could be just as important as having that essential oil, iPod, the right lighting, etc.

Tl:dr: I did not bring my own gown, but regret it. ( mildly).

amerk1107 · January 2014

I was gifted a beautiful gown for delivery of my baby

it's got snaps down the back and unsnaps down the chest for monitoring/ BF I'll be wearing that over the crappy paper thin gowns they give you at the hospital. But DH also bought me a comfortable nursing PJ set that I will wear when I'm up to changing.

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