What are you wearing to your birth? - Page 2

[CinCanada]

What about just going with a sports bra & a sarong of some type?  I'm not comfortable being totally exposed either so this allowed me to be covered but accessable & it wasn't too bulky when hopping in & out of the tub/shower.

[ryleeee]

i have no idea what i'm going to want to wear. at this point in pregnancy i am changing like 5-10 times a day as it is. then again i'm birthing at home so i'll have all my options available.

[LacieD]

I got my Pretty Pushers gown today - it's really comfortable, but so not flattering.  LOL  Ah well, nothing I wear is going to be flattering on me at this weight.  

[gummibears]

I hadn't decided. I know whatever I wear will be in the way as right after birth I want to hold her skin to skin to nurse... so any top will be in the way. However, I'm not sure how I feel about 100% nude either and I have nothing at all to wear. I don't have any bathing suits that would work and I don't generally have any night gowns that fit and buying one just to labor in isn't really in the budget.

Planning a first-time water birth, so kinda clueless on this one. :(

[dayiscoming2006]

Originally Posted by gummibears 

I hadn't decided. I know whatever I wear will be in the way as right after birth I want to hold her skin to skin to nurse... so any top will be in the way. However, I'm not sure how I feel about 100% nude either and I have nothing at all to wear. I don't have any bathing suits that would work and I don't generally have any night gowns that fit and buying one just to labor in isn't really in the budget.

Planning a first-time water birth, so kinda clueless on this one. :(

Hmm, I'd probably get a sports bra or bathing suit top for the birth if you can. Might even be able to find one at a thrift shop if need be. 

[Jynuine]

Well, one thing I will consider are these things:

1. For waterbirths, you may get in and out of the tub. Sometimes it feels good to be in the tub and if things sort of settle down for you, getting out helps to speed them up again. Taking a nice little stroll and then coming back and getting in can help, so you want something that can get wet but that can either be easily removed and put back on.
2. Your bottoms should be easily removeable. When you need to be checked (if doing so routinely throughout labor) and when transition happens and you start pushing, the bottoms you are wearing should be easy to remove. If you are not planning on a waterbirth, your membranes can rupture/be ruptured at any point and after this you tend to gush fluid and or blood, so up and walking around you will want to have on some undergarment and a pad. For a waterbirth this can be as simple as having a string bikini bottom to untie from either side. P.S. Faux-string bikinis dont work. I know this from experience. The strings should actually be a part of what undoes the bottom and not just for looks, lol!
3. Steer clear of clothing with poky embelishments. Again, from experience- my bikini, for example, had little golden beads on it. Quite poky and scratchy for a newborn to rest against. So soft fabric is great.
4. Clothing may get blood/juices on it. You might get stuff on your clothing you are birthing in. The chances are quite high, but know that this is not the end of the world- if it's comfortable to wear, wear it. You can wash it easily in a peroxide mixture that wont ruin it and/or other oxy agent that gets bodily fluids out of things. Bathingsuits are good for this as they are meant to get wet stuff on them and be washed frequently.
5. If you are recording the birth- you may want to view it later and even show people. If this is the case, you might want to err on the side of something comfortable yet a little more decent and you can always throw caution into the wind and strip later if it's more comfortable. I frequently show my birth videos to friends and first time moms who are afraid of the experience. My first natural birth I was all tan from a summer pregnancy with bright triangle white D boobs bouncing all over and full of grins. Amusing for me but... as educational the video is, I'm much more inclined to NOT share that one. It's always nice to prepare, even if you may not know exactly how you feel about sharing such a private event initially.

Hopefully this helps some!!! If anyone knows of other tips, feel free to add....