Many people are curious about what they should wear during labor. The short answer is: whatever you’re comfortable in. Here is the long answer:
Loose Maternity Clothes
Don’t wear anything tight or uncomfortable to give birth in. You don’t have to be fashionable or impress anyone, just make sure you’re comfortable.
If the midwife is doing periodic cervical checks you’ll need to remove your pants, so you want to make sure that they aren’t too tight or too much of a hassle to get on and off while you’re in labor.
Most people end up leaving the pants off entirely and wearing a maternity dress or oversized shirt that they like.
Bathing Suit
If you plan on getting into the tub, you may like the idea of wearing a bikini top. You can absolutely bring one with you if that’s what you are most comfortable in.
Some women will just go in the water with the bra they’re wearing and most will get completely naked. Nobody will judge you either way – do what feels right for you.
Footwear
Hospital floors aren’t the greatest place to walk around barefoot, so you’ll probably want something on your feet. Socks with some grip on the soles are a good option to keep your feet warm and still have some traction.
Sometimes the bathroom isn’t in the birthing room so you’ll have to go a short distance in the hall in which case slippers that are easy to slip into and out of are a good idea. Keep in mind that you may get blood or amniotic fluid on these, so leave your expensive Gucci slippers at home.
Accessible Clothing
If you’re using a TENS or have an epidural, you’ll need to either be naked or wear clothing that allows for access to your back. The hospitals have gowns that they can provide you with – you know the ones from the movies with your booty hanging out the back. They aren’t known for being particularly comfortable or flattering, but they do allow access to your back while still keeping you covered in the front.
Alternatively, you can bring your own labor gown. These are designed to give you access to your back but also tend to be a bit longer than hospital gowns and offer more coverage. They also open in the front for immediate skin-to-skin once your baby is born and are made out of softer, more comfortable material.
The photo above shows one of our favorite labor gowns that you can find in our shop.
Clothing Optional
You can, of course, also wear nothing at all. Typically women don’t feel comfortable with this option immediately after they arrive, but at some point during labor most won’t care if they’re naked.
If you’re getting into the tub or just feeling restricted by your clothing, you can take any or all of it off at any time. As long as you’re warm enough, this is a perfectly good option.
