What to wear for Labour

[flowerbomb]

Hey all.
I'm struggling to decide what o need to take to hospital to wear during Labour and after the birth.
I'm hoping to have a water birth and after Labour I want something that will be easy access for breast feeding.
What are you all taking to hospital with you?

 

[Summerwine]

I’m hoping for a waterbirth too. I know my local hospital has limited facilities though so I have packed my night bra and a black button up nightie for the birth. I toyed with packing a bikini top too but I know when the time comes, if there is a pool available I’d be happy to go in wearing my black night bra!

For after, I have a few long shirt nightie type things for nighttime and leggings & vests for day wear!

 

[Shepherdess]

What summer wine said is ideal

I wanted a water birth last time but didn't have one and had a complicated labour so havent considered a water birth this time but I might now put a bikini top in

I've got a black buttoned vest for labour. Two buttoned t-shirts, a pair of black leggings and a pair of black loose yoga pants for afters. Skin to skin is really important to me so I bought a slightly too big vest I could pull at and tuck her into

Also worth packing socks, people have very varied experiences of how their feet feel (if you're not in water), I remember my feet feeling super hot during labour but they were twitchy and felt better in a thin pair of socks

 

[Shanivy]

My water birth I ended up in my maternity bra. With it being more summer you'll probably want to strip off whatever you put on anyway. You'll not care honestly. I got an ambulance to the hospital because I was practically pushing (quick labour) I ended up not wearing what I'd packed and wore a pj top into the pool but don't even remember taking it off.

This time I'll be taking maternity pjs and a bra and expect to just end up in the bra. Bikini top is an idea too. For after labour I'll have maternity pjs with the breastfeeding top parts . And will have pj trousers, I'd not want a nightie incase of leaks etc xx

 

[MissKW]

I planned on wearing a nice birthing gown I bought previously if the pool wasn't available, when it came to it, no pool and I really didn't care and ended up just in a sports bra... Lol. I use the gown as pj's now though as its handy for nursing

 

[Eaw123]

I had a go In the water with my first, I wore a tie up halter neck tankinni top, bought a cheap one and put it in the bin after my first after birth shower.

 

[Blank_Page]

I didn't get my water birth due to a bleed but I ended up wearing what's actually a sports bra but I could pull it down to feed, and a big baggy t-shirt. Wear something which is not restrictive, that you can access your boobs (or skin) in fairly easily. A vest top over a feeding bra would be fine. It's quite hot in a labour suite, partly cos you're on labour and partly cos you're half naked the heating is cranked up, so try not to wear anything too warm

 

[Sparky Mum]

Maternity jogging bottoms and a strappy top for the labour.
When delivery came I lost the jogging bottoms (obviously) and kept the top on.
After the birth It was comfortable and baggy pyjamas all the way, could unbutton the shirt easily for skin to skin.

A dressing gown would be your best friend for a water birth
I was going for a water birth but my labour accelerated so suddenly out of nowhere there just wasn't the time or warning to get me there haha!

I agree with Summerwine, a sports bra and a dressing gown or bathrobe, definitely!

You'll be warm during labour but will probably be cold after getting out of the water, so maybe a big snuggly blanket or warm fluffy robe - either of which you can skin-to-skin and breastfeed with.

 

[flowerbomb]

Thanks ladies. I've got a longish vest top and bra that I'll wear in pool and then probably take the vest top off. I like the idea of getting a sports bra-less on show haha. For afterwards I've picked up short and vest top type pyjamas. The top buttons so easy for breast feeding. Do you think that's Ok?

 

[Shanivy]

Flowerbomb sounds great hun. I'd stick long pj bottoms in there too maybe. Incase you're leaking a lot at first, it can make you feel a bit more secure. You might not need them though. Feeding bras that unclip for breastfeeding are helpful to have, though to be honest at the hospital ward when I was there everyone just whipped them out in the end not caring lol xx

 

[Sparky Mum]

My midwife said to me 'when you're in labour, you get to hospital, leave your dignity in a little bag at the front door, and pick it up again on your way home' lol. She wasn't wrong!

Truly a magical time, feeling so natural and happy.

 

[Louandtwins]

Grab an old nightdress. When you feel like you're being turned inside out you really won't care weather you're wearing a bikini top or a minion costume. For after, have some massive pants and pyjamas xxx