Birthing shirt?

RedMar · March 2014

I'm trying to find a decent night shirt to labor in, preferably one that buttons (snaps) up as I would like to have that hour of skin to skin contact post birth. Unfortunately I've had no luck in stores or online.
My hospital only provides the gowns where your back side is open, front side closed. What are some of your suggestions? I am considering just going topless or wearing a nursing sports bra during birth as well, but would like to have the shirt as an option in case the temperature is not ideal (can't individually regulate room temps). What are you guys planning on sporting?

jshrop · March 2014

I'm going to be rocking a nursing or sports bra. To hell with paying for a hospital gown that I will literally use once.

curlylocks3 · March 2014

Why not wear the sports bra under the hospital gown? That way if you warm you can take it off or change it if you feel too sweaty. You could take the actual gown off for pushing if you wanted.

Eta: or just wear the hospital gown backwards.

Cherylwang · March 2014

My hospital never let me have a option. Totally naked with a hospital gown on.

TonyaCody06 · March 2014

honestly, they are pointless

LegalLadyBug · March 2014

I wore a sports bra and the hospital gown but I want to say I wore it backwards or atleast untied at the top so it could slide down in the front as I know I had skin to skin with DD immediately after she was born.

MNOpea · March 2014

I wore the hospital gown, this time I am planning on looking for 1-2 short cotton robes for cheap (goodwill?) to labor and recover in (along with a nursing sleep bra), but if I can't find anything cheap enough then I will again just wear the hospital gown

liberty95 · March 2014

A lot of hospital gowns also unsnap at the sleeves. Easy access for skin to skin and nursing. Plus, you are saving money by not buying an article of clothing you will never wear again.

RedMar · March 2014

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I like the backwards gown/sleep bra combo idea. Hopefully their gowns unsnap at the sleeves bc that would be really convenient to nurse.

ElTrain5 · March 2014

I'm going with a wrap around kimono type deal. I can't wear the hospital gown because of my boobs the straight neckline always rides up and makes me feel like im choking, which would be incredibly uncomfortable during labor.

tbmadeamistake · March 2014

My hospital also has the gowns that unsnap at the arms, super easy.

Damnliz · March 2014

I wore the hospital gown each time I've given birth and just pulled it down for nursing and kangaroo care. It was a nonissue. When I got to the postpartum unit I wore my own clothes/pjs.

LKHoffa · March 2014

I never thought about this before! Do hospitals care about immediate skin-to-skin contact? And you have to pay for the hospital gown?

quinnlucas6118 · March 2014

I see in photos from my son's birth I had a hospital gown on and a nursing bra but I honestly do not recall it in my memory. I remember being hot and cold constantly and my mom said they changed my gown a few times. It doesn't make much difference in my opinion. I am more particular about having my own clothes for later on after delivery and the next day. I like being in my comfy clothes. I will take a zip up hoodie, light weight short sleeve shirts and cotton shorts/capri's. I like to feel as normal as possible.

steprozz · March 2014

I didn't think you had to pay for the gown since it's not something they throw away or you take home with you. they launder and reuse them so I would hope you don't have to pay for it! unless there's some sort of rental fee?

steprozz · March 2014

krptcmschfmkr128 said:

stephross88 said:

I didn't think you had to pay for the gown since it's not something they throw away or you take home with you. they launder and reuse them so I would hope you don't have to pay for it! unless there's some sort of rental fee?

I could be wrong, but they might dispose of delivery gowns due to the amount of stain-able fluid that can get on them. I know if I'm in a room and have stuff that is badly stained, I toss it. I wouldn't want to wear a gown or use a blanket/sheet/etc that had someone else's stains on it.

I totally agree! I wouldn't want to either just wasn't sure if delivery gowns fell in the same category of other soiled laundry or not.

coffee89 · March 2014

I think I'm going with a bra, mostly because my I don't want my boobs flopping everywhere. Purely comfort and not a modesty thing. I'm pushing a baby out of me with a number of people near privets, I don't think wanting to cover up is an issue I'll be having.

I'm more concerned with having comfy clothes for recovery to help me feel more like myself.

MarciP83 · March 2014

I had debated getting a labor/delivery/nursing gown for this time around (baby #3). I wore the hospital gowns with my first two, and had no problems with them either time. They were convenient, unsnapped at the sleeves, and aside from being pretty hideous, they worked just fine. Honestly, the only reason I was considering a "special" gown this time is because a friend of mine owns a maternity spa and I saw some there during a recent visit and was kinda intrigued. She had two kinds...one was more of a designer hospital gown, in that it's construction was just like the ones in the hospital, but it was made out of pretty fabric. The other almost looked like a sundress, except the straps unsnapped for nursing/skin-to-skin care, and it was like a reverse kimono. It was made of really soft jersey material. But, it was also $60. And the chances of it getting completely destroyed during delivery are high, as there are all sorts of bodily fluids that seem to go everywhere (at least in my experience). So, I *think* I am back to the good ol' blue/green hospital gown for now...after delivery and after I get cleaned up, I will likely change into a combo of tank/comfy pants and a short cotton robe.

ncbelle · March 2014

I've ended up topless both times but if you want something I'd get a cheap rope or just use a men's button up. Otherwise, wear the gown backwards

rastrau · March 2014

mtgrizgirl said:

This is the one I kind of want. https://www.prettypushers.com/collections/labor-delivery/products/original-solid-delivery-gown

I second the Pretty Pushers - Amazon has them for $29 and Prime eligible. I hate wearing hospital gowns and I feel like I'd rip off a sports bra since my big ol' boobs make me feel like I'm being strangled after a while (FTM though, so we'll see).

hollygb22 · March 2014

Check with your hospital. I was naked under the gown. I think I had the option of wearing a bra and chose not to.

I remember being told that you did not have the option to purchase your own gown and bring it with you and once you were checked in, you had to wear the hospital issued gown.

beachbride5 · March 2014

for labor, i always just wear the nursing hospital gown, which snaps at the sleeves with a sleep nursing bra underneath. then for the hospital stay, i switch to a zip hoodie with my nursing bra and those lovely hospital issue boy short undies. i don't really let a million people come see the baby at the hospital, so it is only dh and myself watching me waddle to the bathroom in those undies, everyone else sees me from the top up in bed in my sweatshirt. the easier the better!