Tank top for water labor/birth?

[Beanjeepin]

Anyone have any COMFY all cotton reccomendations for tank tops for a water labor and birth? I know in my heart that I'll likely end up ripping whatever is on me OFF me, if my last labor was any indication, but there's at least one person who will be at this birth who will be more comfortable if I'm not totally nude the whole time (and it means a lot to me that she'll be there with DS, so we'll go with it).

[crysmomofthree]

Anyone have any COMFY all cotton reccomendations for tank tops for a water labor and birth? I know in my heart that I'll likely end up ripping whatever is on me OFF me, if my last labor was any indication, but there's at least one person who will be at this birth who will be more comfortable if I'm not totally nude the whole time (and it means a lot to me that she'll be there with DS, so we'll go with it).
what about a dark colored glamourmom nursing tank? it would be useful even after the birth as a nursing bra/tank?

I just used a regular tank toph

[anniegirl]

I wore a GapBody one that was really soft and stretchy and had a shelf bra. It crossed my mind to take it off when I first got in the water but for some reason the idea of water on my nipples sounded really irritating, so I wore it the whole time.

[mama2annabelle]

I just wore a sports bra...not sure if you can find 100% cotton ones though. I think they all have a little spandex or something for stretch.

[Aka mommy]

I started in a tank and ended up in just my sports bra which was great. It was easy to take off after birth and was quickly replaced by another sports bra after i nursed. I now wear it every day and wash it at night, thats how much im attached to the darn thing lol.

[gemelos]

I just wore a regular T-shirt which was surprisingly comfortable. I would think a nice maternity tank would be good. Good luck on your water birth!

[DesireeH]

I would get something tight fitting. A t shirt twisting on me would have totally ticked me off at the time.

I wore a swimming suit top (not cotton though).

[aisraeltax]

i wore a very sheer Abercrombie tank (dont really know where i got that...must have been a huge sale). but, after the umteenth time moving from the pool to the shower and removing it (over 30 hours of labor, so there were many moves since the pool slowed my contractions), i ripped it off and didn't put it back on.

i understand your concern re: someone who will be present at your birth, but are you going to be comfortable w/ her/him there and worrying about what you have on or not??? i don't know...after awhile, i had absolutely NO modesty. 2 mw's and my dh holding my legs up for me to push for at least 1/2 an hour left no room for modesty, or clothe, kwim???

good luck...but i think the regular tanks (the ones that arent like sports bras) will get irritating fast~

[Beanjeepin]

i understand your concern re: someone who will be present at your birth, but are you going to be comfortable w/ her/him there and worrying about what you have on or not??? i don't know...after awhile, i had absolutely NO modesty. 2 mw's and my dh holding my legs up for me to push for at least 1/2 an hour left no room for modesty, or clothe, kwim???

good luck...but i think the regular tanks (the ones that arent like sports bras) will get irritating fast~
*****

I was afraid a sport bra would feel too tight - everyone I've ever owned has. Anyone have brand reccomendations? I'm probably about a 38 C right now.

And yes, it's important for me to have her at the birth since she's our DS's support. I actually chose her for DS's comfort level with her, her attunement to him, AND the fact that she's NOT invested in seeing the birth herself (so she will leave if DS needs to, and focus on him while there, NOT the birth). So she's VERY important to us to have there, and while I know I need to be comfortable and have it my way, it's important to me to respect her comfort as well. I know that in transition that may go out the window very rapidly - it would have in DS's birth, but I can certainly consider her comfort until then.

[3ncountin]

I found that if I bought a cheap sports bra one size larger than my regular size and washed and dried it a few times it was nice and soft and stretchy enough for me when I labored in the water .By transition of course I did get rid of it but it did afford some level of modesty and comfort until then.

[hunnybumm]

I wore the sleeping bra thing from Motherhood Maternity. It is ment to be a sleeping bra, but I wore it all the time for the first month after DS#2 was born. I bought two, I wore one when I got in the water the first time. When I got out of the water I took it off and by that point I wasn't putting anything back on (transition). I would get some sort of sports bra that is loose fitting so you aren't constricted.

[mom2mimi]

I wore a bathing suit top and it was super comfy and didn't annoy me at all. I would think a regular tank top or tshirt would be annoying as it got wet, but maybe that's just me.

[MelanieMC]

I haven't gone through a labor yet, but I can tell you that Old Navy tanks are very comfy (and yes they are 100%cotton). They sell them year-round and in about 10 - 15 differet colors (in case you have a preference :wink ). I think they're usually $8.50 each, but a lot of the time they're 2 for $10.
I'm not sure what size you are but they go up to 2x in womens (& I think they usually have them in maternity sizes too) and as a pp said, get one that fits well or snug even so it won't be moving around and getting in your way. Good luck with your labor and birth!!! :love

[megoliv]

I had a home water birth with my second, and clothes weren't even a consideration. I was as nude as can be! As most people have mentioned, you will probably find your modestly level will go out the window as you progress further. But I can see how you would want to at least start out with clothing on, for modesty. I would opt for something that can be easily ripped off or pulled up (NOT a sports bra or anything tight). Right after my son was born in the water, I brought him up to my breast to feed/comfort him. It would be very awkward to have to pull up or take off a tank top during that most joyous time of your life. Also, if you're holding the baby, it would be impossible for somebody else to take the tank top off of you. I would recommend taking the tank off before you go into transition or before you push, in between contractions. That way, you're all set to nuzzle that little sweetie into your breast as soon as they're born and you won't have to wear a sopping wet bloody tank when you get out to deliver the placenta.

Lastly, if your friend is special enough to witness the birth of your child, then I'm assuming they are mature enough to deal with your nudity. It's not like you're going to hide it during childbirth! A woman's body during childbirth is a beautiful and amazing thing, and I don't know anybody who isn't in awe when they witness such a beautiful display of humanity.