Larger moms and hospital robes-advice?

kaydedid · January 2015

I've been thinking about getting my own hospital robe for L&D. Most medical wear (from the paper gowns to the cloth robes) I've been given in the past don't fit, don't cover important bits, or are really tight or uncomfortable. I run about a 22-24 US, 2x maternity, and mostly have trouble fitting at the tummy, bum, and upper arms.

Anyone else run into this issue? Were you able to get a gown that fit, or do you wish you had brought your own?

Whitfry · January 2015

I know my hospital lets you wear your own clothes, and I've been thinking about what I might want to wear during and after delivery. So I'm following this thread to see what others with more experience have to say.

finallyourturn2 · January 2015

When I was at L&D last night the robe fit fine and I'm a 3x (and the hospital is tiny). I would love to wear my own clothes though.

mangomimosa · January 2015

Usually hospitals have larger gowns in addition to regular ones - I bet you'll be comfortable in those, if not the regular size ones!

stine28 · January 2015

When I was in the hospital for my MC, I was roomed beside a large african woman whose weight was mostly in her butt & thighs. (In a ridiculous coincidence, it turns out that she was one of my mom's old ESL students so we ended up talking a bit.) She had to walk past me to use the washroom, and I'm sad to say that not only did the hospital robe only cover her front and sides, but the magical mesh hospital underwear only went halfway up her butt. While I tried to give her her privacy, she was obviously really uncomfortable anyway, and so I'd recommend bringing not only your own robe but your own "throwaway" underwear too, if you can.

FrecklesInside · January 2015

No one can *make* anyone wear anything. I'm not sure why people think they have to wear hospital gowns if they are uncomfortable. I wore a nursing tank during labor and then the nursing tank and underwear after birth. I did what was comfortable.

BitsyBelle84 · January 2015

If you are wearing the hospital gown, you can always ask for an additional one and wear it backwards so it covers your back and opens in the front. That is what I always did for my patients in the ICU when they had to walk around the unit with physical therapy or leave their room.

corysgirls · January 2015

BitsyBelle84 said:
If you are wearing the hospital gown, you can always ask for an additional one and wear it backwards so it covers your back and opens in the front. That is what I always did for my patients in the ICU when they had to walk around the unit with physical therapy or leave their room.

This is exactly what I was going to say. I saw this quite a bit during my stays.

okayestmom12 · January 2015

I bet you'll be okay with the hospital gown provided for labor & delivery if you want to wear one. I'm a 3x and had no issues w/ it during my c/s. As soon as I could get up/ move/ shower, I put on my own clothes though so if you want to do that, make sure you pack whatever you'll want (I also pack my own granny undies which are more comfortable for me).

PHNJenna · January 2015

I'm absolutely not even planning to wear a hospital gown. I have bought a couple black knee length jersey knit skirts and black nursing tank tops from old navy. The rest if the stay will probably be yoga pants, pj pants, a robe and nursing tanks. These should allow the nursing staff and dr easy enough access to what they might need and I plan to just put baby under my tank during the golden hour or just take it off, whatever, I think this will be much more comfortable (to me). I'm a 1X and HATE hospital gowns the smell, the feel, the fit, just yuck.

Ladylec · January 2015

I "wore" a robe and by that I mean my arms were in the sleeves and it was draped over me while I was in the bed. I was in my room the whole time so if I had to get up and pee or walk around it was just my hubs and an occasional nurse who saw my butt and it wasn't a big deal.

Not trying to scare anyone and it wasn't even something I noticed while it was happening but there was a lot of blood and after birth mess on the bed after I gave birth and I would not want to risk getting any of that mess on my clothes.

Once I felt comfortable enough I put on some yoga pants over the giant mesh panties and a tank top and felt great.

Bostonchelle · January 2015

I didn't wear the gown except in the bed during the birth. Before the birth I wore my own clothes until I had the epidural and then I couldn't get up anyway. ASAP after the birth I changed into yoga pants. I'd recommend yoga pants over almost anything as they keep the pads, mesh underwear, witch hazel pads and ice much more snug which feels sooo much better. I'm sure if you brought your own hospital gown they would be ok with it though too.

jacqueleen1 · January 2015

I'm planning on wearing the hospital gown until after I give birth, after that I have already purchased 3 sets of long pajama shirts and a robe to wear for the rest of the stay . My grandmother who worked at that hospital told me I would want long pajama shirts instead of shirt and pant sets because bending down to pull on or pull off pants is painful after you have just given birth

zakiyascott3 · January 2015

I am bringing my own cloths to wear after delivery. I typically have on a nursing tank and bottoms. Remember if you are planning to nurse you need to have easy access to the food source. You do not want to lift up a gown each time. It all about easy access and what is comfortable for you.

bmstee03 · January 2015

Can you wear yoga pants after a c-section? I don't remember wearing pants afterwards until several days later last time. I would much rather have pants this time.

kaydedid · January 2015

Thano you everyone for your advice! I'm leaning towards bringing my own outfit/robe for delivery, and am definitely bringing yoga pants, tanks, and sleep shirts for after.

okayestmom12 · January 2015

bmstee03 said:
Can you wear yoga pants after a c-section? I don't remember wearing pants afterwards until several days later last time. I would much rather have pants this time.

I did the day after when I was cleared to shower/ get dressed. Just choose higher rise ones versus anything that could irritate your incision.

kaynjay530 · January 2015

At the hospital I work at, we have larger gowns for those who need them. I would assume all hospitals have bigger sizes too. I also know that women birth in clothing other than a hospital gown. If you have a c/s, the rules can be different since its a sterile environment, but if you have s vaginal birth you should be able to wear anything comfortable. Especially after you deliver. I was told to bring my own night gowns to wear while in hospital.

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