Birthing clothes? I don't want to get stuck in gown again

BloomingMomma · April 2014

First birth I opted for an epi, which I am still grateful for, but this time i would prefer med-free. But, for me, the hospital experience was a little "patient" feeling, and we plan to do hospital birth again.

What can I wear to not just opt for a gown during labor? Anyone successfully feel not "patient-y" at a hospital with no gown? At home birth modesty no issue, but that isn't our goal.

I ended up needing an IV due to fever, which I had before epidural. Totally sucked after being in gown with dripping IV thing. May also try to find (or make) a tube top with ties for straps in case I get stuck like that again

I have heard to wear sunglasses when entering hospital because strangers eye contact can get into one's "head" and distract from labor. That's cool. Any other ideas like that?

sschwege · April 2014

Honestly best advice is labor at home as long as possible and by the time you get there you will be in your own world and won't have a clue who is looking at you or care.

I was naked as a jay bird with DD, I think I wore just a nursing bra with DS, I always get so hot! But I know a lot of people recommend getting a cheap nightgown from Target. You could also get a cheap skirt and wear a nursing tank maybe?

If you want to listen to music I recommend bringing headphones it helps to block out the hospital noises. Oh and the second time around we brought a white noise maker, it was so nice for postpartum, helps you and baby sleep better, might work well for labor too

margaritachikita · April 2014

I wore a cheap cotton strapless sundress, worked great. It was the kind that is scrunchy around the top so it stayed on fine with nothin underneath. It was great, so much better than a gown.

aylafsu88 · April 2014

I labored at home for a while and went to the hospital when I felt LO was going to be here soon. I arrived in transition in a T shirt and baggy shorts. When I got to the room I got in the tub right away and labored in just a nursing bra. I walked to the bed to deliver in just the bra.
As for the sunglasses thing I think that is a bit overboard but that just may be me. When I arrived in the hospital I was to absorbed in the contractions to worry about eye contact with strangers etc.

Ladyburd · April 2014

I labored in a beach wrap. It was soft light, and tied in the front. Didn't matter if it got messy, which it didn't b/c I was naked by the end anyway. After she was born and I was getting cleaned up they put a hospital gown on me. It was horribly scratchy and heavy. I don't think I could have tolerated that during L & D.

BloomingMomma · April 2014

Brilliant with the noise maker!!!!

sschwege said:
Honestly best advice is labor at home as long as possible and by the time you get there you will be in your own world and won't have a clue who is looking at you or care.

I was naked as a jay bird with DD, I think I wore just a nursing bra with DS, I always get so hot! But I know a lot of people recommend getting a cheap nightgown from Target. You could also get a cheap skirt and wear a nursing tank maybe?

If you want to listen to music I recommend bringing headphones it helps to block out the hospital noises. Oh and the second time around we brought a white noise maker, it was so nice for postpartum, helps you and baby sleep better, might work well for labor too

BloomingMomma · April 2014

Yeah. I only remember one lady making a comment about "first baby?" I get irritated in labor and want no one bugging me

we waited a long time at home, too. It was nice only spending a few hours in hospital

aylafsu88 said:
I labored at home for a while and went to the hospital when I felt LO was going to be here soon. I arrived in transition in a T shirt and baggy shorts. When I got to the room I got in the tub right away and labored in just a nursing bra. I walked to the bed to deliver in just the bra.
As for the sunglasses thing I think that is a bit overboard but that just may be me. When I arrived in the hospital I was to absorbed in the contractions to worry about eye contact with strangers etc.

BloomingMomma · April 2014

We had lights off completely, with a mirror, and battery operated candles. I think the gown really got me frustrated due to IV after for 48-hours. Target has bathing suit cover ups I may slide something like that on

joules235 said:
I was totally naked for most of DD's birth. For the part that I was clothed I wore a zip front sports bra and a loose flowy skirt.

You could bring an oil diffuser with a scent of your choice and maybe some relaxing music. You can also ask to have low lighting.

I also second PPs suggestion of staying home as long as possible.

BloomingMomma · April 2014

I would bet patient rights would have a field day with mandatory gowns. Hospital policy doesn't equate law. I am a health advocate in my career and would question that policy. Just FYI

RedheadBaker said:
Check with your hospital before buying anything. Mine required you to wear one of their gowns.

BloomingMomma · April 2014

I think this is what ill do. I'll get two, strapless. Like at target for over bathing suit. I should have cut gown off the first time. Stupid IV

margaritachikita said:
I wore a cheap cotton strapless sundress, worked great. It was the kind that is scrunchy around the top so it stayed on fine with nothin underneath. It was great, so much better than a gown.

XanthJ · April 2014

Thanks for all the ideas, I'm FTM due July so I'm trying to get my game plan together before hand. And plan to labor at home as long possible.

marriedinaugust · April 2014

I stayed at home as long as possible in a tee and yoga pants (my water never broke) and when I got to the hospital I changed into a cheap black cotton nightgown from Target. It had adjustable spaghetti straps so it was easy to nurse in as well. I plan to wear the same thing for the next birth. I knew there was no way I wanted to be naked, it's just not me.

Jennoskcaj · April 2014

I bought one of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AHH43AO/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Not sure if I'll be able to use it in the hospital, but I wanted to have it just in case.

momofmanyinthemitten · April 2014

I labored at home until I was in transition, at the hospital I changed into a $6 muumuu I bought at KMart, but after I labored in the tub for 45 min, I was naked. I was a bit annoyed because all of my photos with baby right after birth have major boobage in them. I'll have to remember that next time around. My doula had soft music playing, lights off, and battery operated candles on in the room and bathroom. She was amazing-worth every penny. I brought regular (larger) jammies for day 2 in the hospital, and I'm so glad I did. It made the nurses look at me differently.

cwm11985 · April 2014

With my first I was in the gown when out of the tub and a sports bra in the tub, pushed wearing just the sports bra. With my 2nd I was I'm yoga pants and a tank top until I got in the tub (then just sports bra) then pushed completely naked (nurse made me take off the sports bra because I was freezing and it was wet).

abbyful · April 2014

I changed into a gown when we got to the hospital (6cm when I checked in). Sometime during labor I ended up totally naked. Don't remember how it happened, didn't care. I wouldn't worry about what to wear during labor.