During my last pregnancy, I heard several people talk about asking the hospital if you could wear your own clothes during labor. I was of the opinion that that was ridiculous! Why would I want to get my own clothes dirty, sweaty, and most likely ruined during birth? I didn’t bother to ask at the hospital and I didn’t bother to take clothes to labor in. When I got to the hospital, I wasn’t thrilled with the gowns. They’re nursing gowns, so they have the slits in the front and they tie up the back. What they do during labor is put two of them on you, one frontwards and one backwards so that you’re covered.
In this first one, the shirt is a maternity shirt. It’s loose and comfy and could easily be lifted up or pulled down for skin-to-skin contact and for nursing. The skirt is just a size XL skirt. I wouldn’t wear it normally because it hangs so much lower in the front than the back. But I figure that during labor, I won’t really care! It’s a very comfortable outfit.
This outfit is also very comfy! The shirt once again is a maternity shirt. It’s nice and loose and could easily be nursed in. The skirt is a large women’s skirt. It doesn’t really look it here, but it’s very full, so can be easily maneuvered in.
I’m not sure which of these two outfits (if either) I’ll decide to labor and deliver in, but I like that I have options this time around. I plan to labor at home much longer this time, and it’ll be nice to have some comfortable clothes that I’m not really worried about ruining!
What about you? What do you prefer to wear during labor??
brandimg says
With DD1 I opted for a size XL nightgown from Walmart. With this DD2 I am thinking a maternity dress from Motherhood Maternity that wears more like pajamas. I have one for day wear. I plan on getting a second for labor/pajamas.
I like both outfits but the second one is cute enough to wear to church :). I labored in a black knit skirt from Old Navy under my hospital gown (They insisted on the gown for all the iv’s I had to have this time.) After my water broke, DH had me take the skirt off so it wouldn’t get so wet. (TMI?) Anyway, it didn’t show stains and was so comfortable. I didn’t worry about showing my backside when walking the halls and my mind could focus on other things.
I really like your blog! I wore an outfit a lot like your first picture. I labored and delivered in a lightweight knee length skirt from Old Navy and a simple tank top. My top did get a bit of blood on it from first contact but it washed right out with no problem. (I labored at home, so that might have made it easier to wear this the whole time.)
With both of my daughters my labor went super fast and I had strep-B so I had extra IVs making it almost impossible to labor in anything but the hospital gowns. I took a comfortable pajama pants and a loose comfortable shirt to put on after labor with my second daughter.
Yes I did deliver at home my first time. Some thought I was crazy going that route with my first (knowing no one who had even had a home birth before) but it just seemed right to me. Now pregnant with my second, I am looking forward to it again. I hope everything goes smoothly for you.
Great ideas… I’m going to pass this along to my daughter, who is expecting. Thanks!