As you’re planning for the biggest days of your life, the question always comes, “But what will I wear?” and the day you give birth is no different! Many first-time moms find themselves asking what they should wear while in labor! So here are a few things to consider and a few options.
Location
First, consider where you will be giving birth as this might influence what you choose to wear. If you will be in a hospital, a hospital gown seems like an easy answer. It is usually loose and non-restrictive and has all the necessary access points for IV’s, epidurals, and even skin-to-skin. But always remember that you are the authority in your birth from start to finish and that includes being in charge of your wardrobe! If you do not want to wear a hospital gown, you do not have to. It can be heavy, thick, itchy, even icky considering you have no idea who wore it before you. Even if you plan to birth in a hospital, you may choose to wear something else. If you plan to birth at home, you can have as many outfit changes as you wish.
Interventions
The second thing to think about when planning your birth outfit is what type of interventions or monitoring you will have during birth. As we said, if you plan to have an IV for liquid drugs or hydration, you’ll want to consider that. If you are planning to have an epidural placed, you will need a gown that has access to your back so the epidural tubing won’t be hindered. If you plan to do immidiate skin-to-skin and breastfeeding with your baby, how quickly you can remove your top or gown should also be considered.
Aesthetic
It might feel silly at first, but it’s really not. Like any big day, the day you meet your baby will be a core memory and the images will be forever seared on your heart. There is nothing wrong with wanting those images to look a way that is pleasing to you! If your idea of a picture-perfect birth does not include you in a blue hospital gown, then plan to wear something else. Many moms are paying a lot of money for a birth photographer to capture their first moments with their baby. She deserves to be wearing something that makes her feel and look good.
Options
Now that we’ve discussed where you will be, what you will be accepting, and how you would like your birth to look, here are some options for things to wear during birth.
A hospital gown
The simplest option is to opt to wear the provided gown from the hospital. It’s there. It will be clean and ready. It will have all the access points you might need. It will be washed by someone else.
A gown of your own
There are many sellers online through Amazon or even Etsy who make birthing gowns that have all the features of a hospital gown but look much cuter. You can be sure you’ll be the first person to birth in this gown if you buy your own. You can even wear it for your next birth.
A swimsuit top
If you’re planning a water birth, a swimsuit top can be a comfortable piece of clothing. It can also be removed without much effort once Baby is born for skin-to-skin.
An oversized shirt
If you want coverage up top but openness on the bottom, your favorite comfortable T-shirt might be the answer. It can also provide a feeling of sentimentality and familiarity – both of which can help with the necessary birth hormones.
A nightgown
A soft and simple nighty can be so comfortable and cute for birth. If it gets stained or ruined you can always throw it out but you don’t have to. It’s a beautiful thing to keep and remember your birth day.
A lace bralette
Many women opt to labor in a lace bralette – something soft, comfortable, lightweight, and cute. It makes photos of birth look so feminine and beautiful. There are so many options but make sure it’s going to be comfortable above all else.
A robe
Laboring in a lightweight robe can be comfortable and cozy. The front opening means it can be easily removed for skin-to-skin or at any point during labor. Most likely you’ll live in a robe after birth anyway. They give easy breast access but can quickly cover you for any visitors.
Your own birthday suit
If you haven’t been told yet, laboring completely in the nude is 100% acceptable no matter where you are. Hospital staff has seen it all before and if you’re home, it’s your own space. If laboring naked is what you feel best doing, then do it. Many women say they end up naked no matter what, and some aren’t sure how or when they go there. It’s just part of the primal process.
Layers
No matter what you choose to wear at the start, your feelings about it might change. You can start in layers in early labor and slowly remove them as labor progresses. As with anything in labor and birth, you should lean into your intuition and follow your body’s desires. Maybe you start in a bra, a shirt, and a robe but end the day in your birthday suit. That’s just perfect!
Always remember that you’re in charge and if you are not comfortable, that can interrupt the flow of birth. Do what feels safe and comfortable for you!