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01-18-2013 at 2:20 PM
ChevyFam71...
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S+TMs - Wear what during birth?

The birthing videos I watch tend to have people mostly naked...

What did you wear while laboring & Birthing??

I'm not really comfortable naked but I'm not sure what they will allow besides a gown and those seem incredibly uncomfortable too - - I wish I could wear a skirt or a wrap and a sports bra just to have some comfort/coverage... Think the hospital would go for it?

ETA: I plan on having a natural birth free of medications if at all possible and wish to be as comfortable as possible in the process...


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01-18-2013 at 2:26 PM
Halen0804
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Before I gave birth to DD, I felt exactly the same way. I saw the videos of women who were naked baring it all, and thought that will not be me.  I went all natural (hypnobirthing) with DD.  Honestly, I was so focused on the birthing process, I know I ended up being mostly naked except for the hospital gown maybe covering my chest.  I wouldn't recommend the sports bra or any bra because I assume you're going to want to nurse immediately.  This time I feel better mentally prepared that I'm going to be mostly naked. 

Trust me when I say you won't care when you're in the middle of the birthing process.  There will be so much else that you are focused on.  You can always ask for a blanket to cover up more if needed.  GL!


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01-18-2013 at 2:27 PM
MrsWindyCi...
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I did most of my laboring at home, so I was just wearing a tshirt and yoga pants or whatever. When I got to the hospital, I put on a gown. I started pushing like 20m after I got there and was perfectly comfortable - or as comfortable as you can be whilst pushing a child out without meds. :P

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01-18-2013 at 2:32 PM
Spacebunny...
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I wore the hospital gown in the hospital.  That was pretty much it since I woke up in labor and was already experiencing contractions at 3 min apart so I had to go right in.  Not much of a build up.   Pushing was hours later but I was in the gown after getting admitted. 

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01-18-2013 at 2:35 PM
courtneyt1...
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I felt the same way you do about being naked while giving birth. I still felt that way while I was in the middle of labor. I brought a few options of what to wear- nightgown, yoga pants, etc, but I ended up going with the hospital gown because my water broke and I was leaking constantly.

As for bras, I wore a nursing bra to the hospital. After DD was born I was able to nurse right away and it was pretty easy.


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01-18-2013 at 2:37 PM
KateLouise
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I got in the shower for both babies, so naturally ended up naked. It never occurred to me get dressed again, although my MW did drape me in a sheet with DD1.

If I hadn't gotten in the shower then I would want something really loose like a singlet. I get hot in labour and wouldn't want anything restrictive like a bra. 


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01-18-2013 at 2:37 PM
doremi29
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Bra and hospital gown.  They actually gave me 2 to wear- one to wear open in the back and one to go over it open in the front so I could walk the halls without exposing my butt to the world.

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01-18-2013 at 2:39 PM
kellyrn995...
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Hospital gown. All the way. I can't understand what you think would make it uncomfortable? They're very "worn" and usually soft, have snaps at the shoulders to make for easy breast access, and are completely open in the back, meaning that you can lift it up or arrange in whatever way is comfortable. Plus, if it gets soiled (or should I say WHEN it gets soiled), you don't have to bother with it. That's the hospital's job.

A sports bra sounds horribly restrictive to me, and a skirt will not be realistic during labor and delivery. Doubtful that the hospital would allow a skirt or wrap that does not allow easy access to the vag.


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01-18-2013 at 2:40 PM
NSYoder26
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I wore the hospital gown the whole time Labor (c/s) and PP recovery. It is ugly, but gives lots of room, plus it unsnaps  to allow for ease of nursing (if you are going to do that). Plus you don't have to worry about messing up your clothes. I wouldn't worry about it so much for L & D, but plan to bring plenty of comfortable clothes if you really want to wear your own stuff in recovery, just keep in mind that the nurse will need to easy access to ALL of you to check things out and if you end u needing a c/s you won't want to wear pants.

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01-18-2013 at 2:48 PM
shibby00
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A hospital gown? It seems there is a lot of over thinking going on....

 
01-18-2013 at 2:48 PM
DanandVan
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Hospital gown and socks (the hospital actually gave me some warm fuzzy socks to wear since my feet were cold, but I had packed several pairs in my bag as well). A skirt is going to be in the way since (trust me) you will have lots of people checking out your hoo-haa throughout the process.

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01-18-2013 at 2:53 PM
nowuseeme4...
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I wore the gown when I gave birth for DD1. I didnt really care what I looked like I figured no one else did either! Lol this time around I will prob do the nursing bra or nursing tank and yoga pants. IDK I guess I might just wait until I get there.

 


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01-18-2013 at 2:58 PM
nyki06
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Most of the time when I was at home (I planned a home birth but had to transfer after 25 hours) I was naked because I was getting in and out of the tub. I thought I would have a problem with that before hand but in the moment I couldn't have cared less. When I got to the hospital I was wearing sweats and a ratty old shirt that my husband had from high school and ended up delivering in that shirt and no pants. 

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01-18-2013 at 3:11 PM
mrs.birdie
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I wore the hospital gown.
01-18-2013 at 3:16 PM
sap05e
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Hospital gown. Not sure how that would be uncomfortable.... you could wear a sports bra underneath if you want but you'll need to whip it off right after labor to BF and for bonding.



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01-18-2013 at 3:19 PM
courtnif
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Halen0804:
Trust me when I say you won't care when you're in the middle of the birthing process.nbsp; There will be so much else that you are focused on.nbsp; You can always ask for a blanket to cover up morenbsp;if needed.nbsp; GL!


This. I was spread eagle with my gown pulled up when the anesthesiologist came in to talk about my epi. Didn't bother me at all...I hardly even realized it.
 
01-18-2013 at 3:29 PM
LadyMadrid...
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I didn't think I'd be totally naked, but it sort of just happened. I would get really uncomfortable with clothes on and just strip. Then I'd want something on sometimes and for that I had a gown type thing. But yeah,I was naked at least half the time and have no regrets. If you think you wool be more modest pack a nursing sports bra and a flowy, stretchy skirt. Just try to be comfortable!

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01-18-2013 at 3:33 PM
LadyMadrid...
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I should add I wasn't given a gown in my situation, but I think that would be comfortable. What I had was a summery muu muu kind of thing so pretty much the same thing.

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01-18-2013 at 3:40 PM
AppleJacks...
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I just wore the hospital gown last time. But I had an epidural and wasn't walking around or anything.

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01-18-2013 at 3:49 PM
kxp004
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 I wore a t-shirt, soft shorts, and a sports bra... I had a med free water birth at a birth center and ended up with just my sports bra....

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01-18-2013 at 3:56 PM
adamsabiga...
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kellyrn9956:

Hospital gown. All the way. I can't understand what you think would make it uncomfortable? They're very "worn" and usually soft, have snaps at the shoulders to make for easy breast access, and are completely open in the back, meaning that you can lift it up or arrange in whatever way is comfortable. Plus, if it gets soiled (or should I say WHEN it gets soiled), you don't have to bother with it. That's the hospital's job.

A sports bra sounds horribly restrictive to me, and a skirt will not be realistic during labor and delivery. Doubtful that the hospital would allow a skirt or wrap that does not allow easy access to the vag.

I've found hospital gowns to be the most uncomfortable article of clothing I have ever had to wear (a total of twelve days combining my hospital stays the past two years) I hate that they open in the back and I always have to cover my butt when I get up, are all one size (Not everyone is an extra large) and the strings to tie them never line up right, and no their not soft at all in my experience. 

I was actually thinking a sports bra and skirt would be great for delivery I hate feeling like my girls are free to bounce around as they please, and something short and non restrictive kinda like a tennis skirt would be perfect just enough to cover my butt cheeks and allows plenty of movement AND easy access to the vag! 

Anyways my hospital allows us to bring something comfortable to wear during delivery which I'm glad!  I found a couple different gowns that are short, loose, and have buttons down the front so I can breastfeed easily. And they were cheap enough that if and when they get ruined I don't mind disposing of them afterward.

01-18-2013 at 3:59 PM
hocus
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Every hospital has its own policy. A lot of hospitals are anti bra and I think a skirt will get in the way so I wouldn't go with that either. I wore the hospital gown both times. During my first birth I threw up all over my gown and didn't put a new one on because I was so hot. I'm not someone who'd normally walk around naked but it was really the last thing on my mind.

 If you're looking for an alternative to hospital gown I'd look for a long t-shirt or something like that. Maybe a nightshirt? Something you really don't care about. The whole process is really messy.

 


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01-18-2013 at 4:18 PM
tmsgrl
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NSYoder26:
I wore the hospital gown the whole time Labor (c/s) and PP recovery. It is ugly, but gives lots of room, plus it unsnaps  to allow for ease of nursing (if you are going to do that). Plus you don't have to worry about messing up your clothes. I wouldn't worry about it so much for L & D, but plan to bring plenty of comfortable clothes if you really want to wear your own stuff in recovery, just keep in mind that the nurse will need to easy access to ALL of you to check things out and if you end u needing a c/s you won't want to wear pants.

Exactly.

 
01-18-2013 at 5:01 PM
JenS2203
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I truly hate hospital gowns. They are so uncomfortable with all that extra fabric and openings. I ask for a pediatric gown so that I'm not drowning in material. I wore nothing under the gown with my first delivery and didn't like the feeling of the girls hanging free. I wore a sports bra the second time around and that was much better.

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01-18-2013 at 5:14 PM
mistressco...
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I plan on wearing a sports bra and the hospital gown or nothing else.  I think the bra suggestion VERY greatly depends on the size of your breasts.  I have DD-DDD to begin with, so going bra-free is really actually uncomfortable for me.  I need a bit of support and really don't want to have to be pulling my boobs out from my armpits every few minutes (TMI I know, but true).  Last time the nurses wouldn't LET me wear anything on the bottom-so I had either the hospital gown or nothing.  

 
01-18-2013 at 5:26 PM
dande2129
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Well, I was technically induced with DS, so I was wearing the hospital gown. I've never seen or heard of someone at the hospital being totally naked.

I wanted to have a home water birth, and had planned on wearing a tank top in the birthing tub. I'm not a huge naked fan.


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01-18-2013 at 6:05 PM
jjgal
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I had no intention of being naked when I labored with DD... but once I was in and out of the tub once or twice and I was wet, I just ended up naked and didn't really think about it from that point on.  I was too focused on birthing my child that all modesty went out the window.  I'm willing to bet the same will happen this time around.  I packed a summery knee-length maternity dress to wear to labor in along with a bathrobe if I end up walking the halls, but who knows what I'll end up wearing.  

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01-18-2013 at 6:20 PM
BelhurstBr...
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I did most of my laboring at home. In yoga pants and a shirt.  

At the hospital I spent most of my time laboring in the jacuzzi tub. I brought a bikini to wear because I also didn't like the idea of being naked. I got over that pretty quick. Sat in there naked. 

If I wasn't in the tub I was in the gown.  



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01-18-2013 at 6:21 PM
sbevmc09
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You can wear whatever you want/are comfortable with.  I've certainly known women to opt for like a tank top and skirt or more of a nightgown rather than use the hospital gown because they felt more comfortable in their own stuff.  I've had friends who have had water births and they have worn sports bras or a bathing suit top in the tub. 

Especially if you're planning to go med-free it's entirely reasonable for you not to want to wear the hospital gown, it's a personal preference and not wearing it might help you feel like less of a "patient". 

With that said, I plan to wear the hospital gown again.  I'm comfortable in it and I don't have to worry about it getting messy ;)  


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01-19-2013 at 9:46 AM
zonagirlie
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mistresscox:
I plan on wearing a sports bra and the hospital gown or nothing else. nbsp;I think the bra suggestion VERYnbsp;greatlynbsp;depends on the size of your breasts. nbsp;I have DDDDD to begin with, so going brafree is really actually uncomfortable for me. nbsp;I need a bit of support and really don't want to have to be pulling my boobs out from my armpits every few minutes TMI I know, but true. nbsp;Last time the nurses wouldn't LET me wear anything on the bottomso I had either the hospital gown or nothing. nbsp;

This is me. If my ladies are not restrained, I'm pulling them up and out if the way. I'm wearing sports bras then I can pull it off once he's here.



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