What to wear?

[randic116]

I'm 32 weeks along with baby #3, and plan to birth in a private birthing center (which is where #2 was born also) except I can't seem to find my robe I wore with her...  Any suggestions on what to wear while laboring?  If I'm in the tub most of the time like before it won't matter, cause I'll be mostly naked anyway...  But if I need to walk or something...  I've been looking for a thin robe to wear, but haven't been able to find anything sufficient enough to keep me covered.  (not only is my belly huge, but I'm also a 40DD)  There will be family there with me, so I want to have some coverage... :)

[Nicole730]

I just bought a huge nightgown from Kohls.  Something I would never wear otherwise, but it kept me covered past my privates.   I'm like a 38-40 G-H when I give birth, but an x-large nightgown worked.  It was tight across my belly, but not uncomfortable.

[1stTimeMama4-4-10]

I wore a jersey knit black skirt that I was fine throwing away, a sports bra, a black t-shirt, and a hideous ugly robe.  I figured I would throw it all out afterwards, but I still have it, and I will probably use it for #2.

[lifeguard]

Both times I wore a brown spaghetti strap nightgown with a built in shelf bra. Not much support for my g cups but at least not swinging free.

[cristeen]

With DS1 I wore a knee-length nightshirt that was big enough for my belly, and roomy enough it didn't feel constrictive at any point.  With DS2, I was naked.  I was so in labor-land I didn't care who saw what. 

[Comtessa]

Originally Posted by 1stTimeMama4-4-10 

I wore a jersey knit black skirt that I was fine throwing away, a sports bra, a black t-shirt, and a hideous ugly robe.  I figured I would throw it all out afterwards, but I still have it, and I will probably use it for #2.

Me too, to all of this!  Great minds think alike, I guess.  I picked up the skirt at a thrift store.  And actually, b/c it was black, you can't tell if there's any bloodstains on it -- there must have been, I bled like crazy during my son's birth -- so instead of getting rid of it, I kept it, and now, it's one of my favorite skirts.  Wear it to work all the time.  I get such a kick out of it, looking down at my skirt and thinking, "heh, I gave birth in this skirt!"  

[aeterna]

I took a belly band to wear as a bandeau top, as I also intended to labor in the tub. However this might not be adequate support for you, I am only a 32DD currently!

As it turned out, we didn't have time to get in the tub anyway, so I ended up laboring in the super comfy nursing bra I was wearing when I showed up (& nothing else). Which was fine, and comfy, but I got blood all over it when they handed him to me to snuggle after the delivery, so I probably would have picked a black one if I'd thought about it!

[randic116]

Thanks ladies!  I've packed a black knit short sleeve dress that I never wear, and thought would be perfect.  :)  I also have my swim top and a sleeping/nursing bra to be in the tub with.

[Comtessa]

A full dress might be a bad plan!  IME, you frequently need to provide access to your belly to HCP's during labor.  Standard of care for MW's is to listen for fetal heartbeat every 15-20 minutes with a Doppler.  I don't know about you, but I would NOT want to be hauling a dress up over my hips every 15 minutes.  Especially because in labor, I did not want to be wearing anything on the bottom -- too messy, esp. after your water breaks.  I'd go with a skirt and loose top, for sure. 

I loved having a big comfy dress to put on after the babe was born, FWIW, and it was nicer than wearing pajamas in the hospital.  

[lifeguard]

The nightdress I wore was knee length - no problems hiking it up & at times I felt self-conscious there were always blankets about.

[randic116]

My dress is barely knee length, so I think I'll be ok..  With the last one I was only at the birthing center for about an hour before I got in the tub anyway, so I don't forsee me even needing the dress for very long...  (My waters never broke, she was born in the sack... :) 

[HypRN]

I really like Binsi skirts.