Hospital Gowns- Can You Bring Your Own?

TallMomma29 · March 2014

I know this is a bit crazy and vain, but it never occurred to me that it was even an option. I would seriously be willing to pay $30 to wear something a little less fugly in the delivery room. In the moment I'm sure I won't care what I have on... but there are just so many things working against those initial photos! Bad lighting, all the fluids, the stress/sweat/pain of hours of labor, etc. Do we really need to wear hideous hospital gowns too?

Ex. A:

https://www.amazon.com/Gownies-Labor-Delivery-Maternity-Hospital/dp/B000WM94R6

pfeilele · March 2014

I'm pretty sure you can wear whatever you want

People will tell you don't buy something because it'll get gross, but my hospital gown didn't get a speck of blood on it. If it'll make you feel better, go for it! I'm sure etsy probably has some too.

baby+drumm · March 2014

I think I wore the hospital gown during labor, but I had cute, comfy pjs for after.

tourqeyes · March 2014

I have not considered getting my own gown to wear during labor/birth but I have considered buying myself a nice robe to wear for the rest of our hospital stay after I have had the baby.

Last time I felt less than stellar around family and friends that came to visit us, so I feel like a robe that I could wear over a shirt and yoga pants would make me feel good.

My mentality is if you want to spend the money and think you will enjoy it, aware that it could get ruined (I'm not sure when else you would plan on wearing it anyways, haha), then go for it.

Nichole8787 · March 2014

I wouldn't spend the money on it...and I won't. I do plan on fixing my hair and putting on long lasting make up with a setting spray and pray that it still looks decent after for photos so I kind of get the logic.

INmommy871278 · March 2014

I think it depends on your hospital so something you should ask your doc about. I know as soon as I was able to get up on my own I could wear whatever I wanted but during actual labor and delivery I had to wear the gown.

lauralynn710 · March 2014

I hadn't thought about that. But I know for sure that I will be getting some cute thin night gowns or pjs for the rest of my hospital stay.

rattlecanqueen · March 2014

Why would you? You bleed all over, and they put ice packs and stuff in your pads that get condensation/melt all over. They seem like a complete waste of money to me.

MstoMrstoMom851214 · March 2014

My concern is the hospital gowns fitting me comfortably. I am a size 20 pp, large chested, not to mention how big my baby bump will be by then. Do they have plus size gowns at hospitals? I would assume as much, but who knows?!

lindslalala · March 2014

I delivered DS buck ass naked. That's another option to avoid hospital gowns lol

INmommy871278 · March 2014

MstoMrstoMom851214 said:

My concern is the hospital gowns fitting me comfortably. I am a size 20 pp, large chested, not to mention how big my baby bump will be by then. Do they have plus size gowns at hospitals? I would assume as much, but who knows?!

I was a size 22 pp and the gown fit fine. I had a friend deliver a few months after me and she was bigger than I was at the time of delivery and the gown fit her just fine. If you go on a hospital tour you an always ask at that time or ask your doc about the gowns.

TallMomma29 · March 2014

I wouldn't plan on keeping it or reusing it (unless by some miracle it didn't get stained/ruined), so I wouldn't care or be worried about bodily fluids, etc. getting on the gown. I don't generally care very much about my appearance. I don't wear a ton of makeup, I don't do my hair more than a couple of times per year (usually I just let it air dry and put it up in a bun every day), and I'm not particularly fashionable. However, I do notice (as vain as it is!) that a cute outfit can really boost my mood and my overall confidence. So I'm thinking a hospital gown in a fun pattern would both make me feel a little better, and ultimately make the photos a little less awful. To me, that's potentially worth $30 if it is allowed! (There is also the option of Etsy and making my own.. I just quickly googled for that link because I hadn't even thought of the possibility before seeing someone post a picture on instagram in a fun maternity gown).

BBColt78 · March 2014

Oh man. Am I the ONLY one who literally stayed in the hospital gown the whole time? I didn't want to get dressed at all. I suck.

cookieinva · March 2014

Maybe it is just NMS, but I don't think it is worth $30 for something that will get ruined. I was in mine for quite a while and it was ready to be burned pretty much afterwards. Plus it's not like you will be posing for full-length photos in it (or do people do that?). I kind like seeing the hospital photos with the same universal, generic gown and baby blanket.

rattlecanqueen · March 2014

BBColt78 said:
Oh man. Am I the ONLY one who literally stayed in the hospital gown the whole time? I didn't want to get dressed at all. I suck.

This was me too!

cakebatter27 · March 2014

I wouldn't spend money on something to wear during labor but I would on something to wear after that made me feel great. I love robes so a soft, silky one I would look forward to.

[Deleted User] · March 2014

BBColt78 said:

Oh man. Am I the ONLY one who literally stayed in the hospital gown the whole time? I didn't want to get dressed at all. I suck.

I delivered on Saturday morning and I stayed in a gown until I showered on Sunday morning. I was bleeding so much I think I was afraid to put any of my own clothes on. This time I plan on changing into PJs much sooner but we'll see how I'm feeling. The only visitors I want is immediate family so I don't care how they see me.

Hospital gowns aren't glamorous but I personally would rather spend $30 on something I'd get more use out of after delivery if I'm honest.

shamyfowler · March 2014

cakebatter27 said:

I wouldn't spend money on something to wear during labor but I would on something to wear after that made me feel great. I love robes so a soft, silky one I would look forward to.

This. I had a c/s last time and wore that drabby hospital gown for the first two days and I just felt so unglamorous. I am definitely changing into something as soon as I can this time.

BBColt78 · March 2014

LeaLupins said:

BBColt78 said:

Oh man. Am I the ONLY one who literally stayed in the hospital gown the whole time? I didn't want to get dressed at all. I suck.

I delivered on Saturday morning and I stayed in a gown until I showered on Sunday morning. I was bleeding so much I think I was afraid to put any of my own clothes on. This time I plan on changing into PJs much sooner but we'll see how I'm feeling. The only visitors I want is immediate family so I don't care how they see me.

Hospital gowns aren't glamorous but I personally would rather spend $30 on something I'd get more use out of after delivery if I'm honest.

I stayed in that damn gown because they wouldn't leave me the heck alone. Checks all the time, blood pressure here, nursing there. They are kinda damn lucky I didn't leave in the gown. Nah, I wouldn't want my ass showing.

Big+Lil · March 2014

Spend your money on cute jammies. I was so gross afterwards, and hooked to a magnesium drip so I couldn't get up and change. I rocked hospital gowns until I could get up. Another idea is to buy a darling nursing tank or bra to wear. I wore nursing tops and the mesh chonies under the sheet. Trust me, wear the given hospital gown. I contemplated the cute one the first time, and was glad I didn't. I was in labor for 27 hours (induced), and I went through 2 or 3 gowns.

ghostof5letters · March 2014

I've blown $30 on lesser things

yurmom · March 2014

I wouldn't buy one to wear during birth but maybe after. I'm considered it because I did stay in a gown the whole time I was there. Also they do make plus size gowns and will have them available. There are a lot of 300+lb patients these days so it's a necessity.

Jbosarge85 · March 2014

With DD I stayed in the gowns the whole time with DS I'm planning on giving birth at a birthing center that is not connected to a hospital. I'm not comfortable letting everything hang out so I'll probably need to buy something I feel comfortable in. If it's a big deal to you sure why not..

katnipeverclean · March 2014

I had two with DD. I wore the hospital provided gown during birth then the ones I bought after. I can't do pj pants withan incision. I loved mine and would spend the $ again!

honeybee434 · March 2014

For the STM's, how soon were you able to wear normal clothes? Right after? And if you had a c section, did you have to wear gowns for longer?

I thought about getting one but for after labor, not during, just to be more comfortable. I never really considered I would be able to wear normal clothes right after. (Obvious FTM brain over here)

AnAtoZday · March 2014

TallMomma29

I am totally wearing one. I don't really care if it gets ruined, but the couple of births that I have been at it was just fine. I got a robe from this etsy vendor she has SO many options. I wanted to buy more than one!!

This is the one I got! Different color fabric but excited! Hope it fits

https://www.etsy.com/listing/118189195/maternity-hospital-gown-delivery-robe?ref=related-2

Edit :: Wrong Link

TallMomma29 · March 2014

SarahVol131 said:

I had two with DD. I wore the hospital provided gown during birth then the ones I bought after. I can't do pj pants withan incision. I loved mine and would spend the $ again!

@SarahVol131, what kind of gown did you get? Similar to an actual hospital gown or a cuter one? I can imagine not wanting to wear pajama pants or yoga pants right away even without an incision due to the whole bleeding situation.

As for the $30, I easily spend that on a couple of cocktails at bars in CA, and given I won't have had any of those for 9+ months, a $30 splurge on a hospital gown really doesn't sound like a big deal to me! But the potential of going through multiple gowns before the birth is even over may make me reconsider ;-)

TwizzyG · March 2014

Yes. You can wear your own, but make sure it has snaps on both shoulders so the staff can work it around your IV line and blood pressure cuff and makes breastfeeding easier. Also, I would HIGHLY recommend keeping your pretty gown for when they get you cleaned up AFTER you deliver. That's when the most pictures will be taken anyway and you'll have a pad on your bottom to stop the blood from getting on your gown. I'd stick with the hospital gown during labor as there will likely be blood, your water leaks constantly until you deliver (if it's broken), and poop. And if you have meconium in your fluid, it will be a yellowy-green color too rather than clear. Or, buy 2 so you can change after delivery and wear one during labor.

bgoodbpar · March 2014

I wouldn't but I will say that my hospital gown was 100% blood and afterbirth free post delivery. I had DS late at night and was tired and moved on to eating my dinner and moving from L&D room to recovery room and didn't even think to change my gown till morning because it was really that unnecessary ( minus just feeling icky and wanting a fresh gown) .. All that to say if it makes you feel better for photo ops and comfort go for it, just keep in the that it COULD very well get messy.

And I changed into normal clothes later the next afternoon because I was more comfy in a tank too and pajama shorts lol. I just waited till exams were done so I wouldn't have to keep taking them off. So for ease of post delivery checks, wear a gown (yours or theirs) but after that normal loose clothes aren't bad.

TallMomma29 · March 2014

AnAtoZday said:

TallMomma29

I am totally wearing one. I don't really care if it gets ruined, but the couple of births that I have been at it was just fine. I got a robe from this etsy vendor she has SO many options. I wanted to buy more than one!!

This is the one I got! Different color fabric but excited! Hope it fits https://www.etsy.com/listing/118189195/maternity-hospital-gown-delivery-robe?ref=related-2

Edit :: Wrong Link

@AnAtoZday, these look so great and so much better than the standard gown! I want one too!

purpleXdandelion · March 2014

Posting before reading responses...

I sewed 2 of my own. It was ridiculously easy. I wore the hospital-issued gown when I was laboring and then for my emergency c-section (which is good, cuz I puked and pooped and everything else). Then I wore the ones I made after I had DS and showered. I liked having something thicker than the hospital gowns on. It was basically like my own PJs, but easier cuz the shoulders had velcro so I could easily BF.

pfeilele · March 2014

purpleXdandelion said:
Posting before reading responses...

I sewed 2 of my own. It was ridiculously easy. I wore the hospital-issued gown when I was laboring and then for my emergency c-section (which is good, cuz I puked and pooped and everything else). Then I wore the ones I made after I had DS and showered. I liked having something thicker than the hospital gowns on. It was basically like my own PJs, but easier cuz the shoulders had velcro so I could easily BF.

Where did you find your pattern?! I want some gowns for the couple days after, and I wasn't thrilled with the special nursing gowns they gave me to use. I still want a gown because they constantly did checks, but I want something customized to what I like

TallMomma29 · March 2014

I thought this was supposed to be a supportive community! Why are so many of you telling me this is a bad idea?!?!?! Kidding! ;-)

But seriously, thanks for all of the tips! Some of these things (like potentially bleeding so much I need multiple gowns) didn't even occur to me!

alyssa719 · March 2014

@pfeilele, there are free patterns if you do a search on Pinterest.

I've thought about making these. I know that I want to get a fancy pair of jammies for after with the cross front so it's easier to nurse, and maybe a new robe (what? a reason to splurge on the lacoste one I've been looking at?? yup!). I just figured it probably wasn't worth the time/money for the amount of time that I would be in it, and honestly, I won't want to keep it after the fact.

For anybody worried about the plus size thing, they do carry larger gowns in most hospitals, and if they don't, you can always use one in front, one in back (same as how to use a gown as a robe).

Dutch Apple Pie · March 2014

I was able to wear what I wanted but I got soooo hot I gave birth in just a bra. LOL! I did wear a cute nursing top once we went to my room but I forgot it there and never got it back. I'll be leaving the cute stuff at home this time around.

Soon2BMrsN · March 2014

BBColt78 said:

Oh man. Am I the ONLY one who literally stayed in the hospital gown the whole time? I didn't want to get dressed at all. I suck.

I stayed in my gown for days after I had ODS, but I had a migraine from the epidural and couldn't keep food down. It sucked. I also kept it on most of the time after I had YDS even though my recovery was much easier. I've had two c/s and have felt a bit scared to actually take the plunge to get out of bed and shower at first. Hopefully I can get up and shower sooner this time.

Huahine · March 2014

honeybee434 said:
For the STM's, how soon were you able to wear normal clothes? Right after? And if you had a c section, did you have to wear gowns for longer?

I thought about getting one but for after labor, not during, just to be more comfortable. I never really considered I would be able to wear normal clothes right after. (Obvious FTM brain over here)

I was in the hospital for 4 days after my CS. I didn't get dressed until the morning I left. The rest of the time I wore nursing bras and the mesh panties and pads and socks. I was so wrecked, the last thing I cared about was how I looked.

tourqeyes · March 2014

TallMomma29 said:

AnAtoZday said:

TallMomma29

I am totally wearing one. I don't really care if it gets ruined, but the couple of births that I have been at it was just fine. I got a robe from this etsy vendor she has SO many options. I wanted to buy more than one!!

This is the one I got! Different color fabric but excited! Hope it fits https://www.etsy.com/listing/118189195/maternity-hospital-gown-delivery-robe?ref=related-2

Edit :: Wrong Link

@AnAtoZday, these look so great and so much better than the standard gown! I want one too!

And cheaper than the same one I posted on page one...thanks.

Eta: it's the exact same vendor too. Is the link you provided for a shorter robe? I could do slightly shorter than the link I posted but I want it at least below my knees. I just looked and the one you linked was knee length and mine was ankle length. Ideally I'd like something in between. I'm sure she would do custom.

knitsandgiggles · March 2014

I bought a nice robe and penguin slippers to wander the hallway in during labor and for the day or so after delivery. By the time, I got down to delivery, I just had the hospital gown bunched up and mostly off because I was hot, lol. At the end do the 21 hour ordeal, no gown or probably even make-up was going to camouflage how exhausted I looked

<br>

I got more spots and stains on my gowns post delivery when I passed clots and made a dash to the bathroom. Also a bit when the nurse did the push on the abdomen to check ute size and see how much fluid was coming out. My MIL did get me a short length, long sleeved flannel jammy top to wear for nursing. I wore that towards the end of the hospital stay as things were leveling out so to speak.

<br>

Go for it if it floats your boat, OP!

Edit -ipad formatting

kay anthony · March 2014

*snip!*

This is the one I got! Different color fabric but excited! Hope it fits https://www.etsy.com/listing/118189195/maternity-hospital-gown-delivery-robe?ref=related-2

*snip!*

Thanks so much for posting this link! I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy that dark turquoise maternity robe for in the hospital after. Do you all think one is enough (I wouldn't wear it during, only after) or should I bring two with me to the hospital? I'm thinking of bringing these in lieu of pajamas.

AutumnBonfire · March 2014

I don't know if there are hospital rules for gowns or anything, but after giving birth once already I don't know why anyone would possibly want to wear their own clothes. It is a bloody horror movie, during and after. Hospital gowns are comfortable and the shoulders have snaps that come apart for easy nursing (if that's what you're doing).

I also wore my hospital gown the whole time, except when visitors came. I brought along a nice cream colored robe someone gave me and didn't want to wear it once because of all the blood.

I also didn't give one damn about what my hair or make-up looked like. I went to the hospital at night and I didn't have hair done or make-up on.

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