Do you have a Binsi?

[MamaMem]

I am getting ready to make a skirt for labor that don't care how it gets treated...
What is so special about Binsi?
Is it worth the money if I can make something simple myself?
Can you describe yours to me?

[mamatolevi]

I had a Binsi at my last birth and loved it. it was mine all mine and no one else had worn it before and I didn't have to wear that ghastly hospital gown!! So different from my previous births where I was "property" of the hospital.

it would be very simple tomake. Just find a simple a line maternity skirt pattern (or regular pattern) and run a line of snaps up the front - snap tape would be easier than individual snaps. voila! binsi type skirt.

when it was time to push it came off in an instant and poof! was out of the way.

[cricketsmomma]

love my binsi - it was a gift, I know they're expensive. If you make your own, pay attention to details - venting on sides, low cut tummy for monitoring. those came in handy for me. my midwife and the nurses thought it was a great invention!

[MamaMem]

I was having a hard time justifying the money when I can sew anything I want. The reply about the snaps is when I realized what makes them so great....

[ryan'smom]

I was thinking about sewing one myself! Thanks for posting this! How is the waist constructed? Elastic/drawstring, etc? I understand that you want to make it low rise and with snaps/velcro for quick removal, any other important details?

Thanks alot!

Laura

[wombatclay]

Since this in turning into a "how to", I'm moving this to Arts & Crafts!

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Personally... I like the binsi, and know several mamas who have liked it as well. The big perks are the snap tape (the skirt can be removed very easily if necessary), the below belly low cut to allow monitoring, and the very generous side vent/overlap which allows for coverage in all sorts of positions (squat, birth ball). You can see the binsi in action on their website if you're looking for a better idea about "how" it works.

Happy birthing (and sewing)!

[PTmorgan]

I had a Binsi skirt that I borrowed from my midwife, and the Binsi thankini tank top that I bought. I loved them! No hospital gown! Avoiding that "sick patient" image was important to me. The skirt is fairly simple to make if you are handy (I'm not, hence the borrowing!).

A couple points: The waist is very low, below belly. The waist has a drawstring. Good points by PPs about the vents and tucks. The Velcro up the front can be really scratchy - I would have preferred snaps. (They have two types depending on cost, I think.)

Now, the tank top is what I really wanted. I figured a generic skirt might be OK, but not the top. It is a really stretchy material, snaps up the sides, a lightweight shelf bra, and hooks to unhitch both straps over the shoulders. This is really important if you need to remove the top and you have epidural lines or IV lines that would get in the way. It would allow very quick removal for skin-to-skin as the baby is born if you still have it on.

HTH