hospital birthing gown

[LazyMachine]

I feel a little stupid posting this question, but I'm appalled at all of the 'birthing gowns' for sale and their ridiculously high prices. I would rather just wear a normal cotton hospital gown that can be changed as many times as need be and then slip into my comfy gown after I've given birth & cleaned up. Did your Midwife Led Unit provide said gowns?

[LazyMachine]

(*my own comfy gown from home)

[MissyMooandherBeaverofSteel]

I just bought my own cheap nighties or xxl mens tshirts. Much more comfortable and they are only a few quid so I didn't mind chucking them away.

[Bluestocking]

Birthing gowns? I've never heard of such a thing. I wore a T-shirt and sweatpants until I had to take the sweatpants off, then a theatre gown because I was taken through to theatre for a forceps delivery.

[GuffSmuggler]

What is a birthing gown!?! Everyone I know wore whatever they liked unless going into theatre then they give you a hospital gown....

[GuffSmuggler]

Xpost - sounds like another way to get money out of unsuspecting pregnant women!!!

[BonaDea]

Definitely a way to weedle more money out of us. can't you just wear an old tshirt or shirt of DP's then change into a 'normal' nightie when done and dusted?

I haven't decided what to wear yet, but do want something which buttons down quite far, so that I can have some skin to skin without having to completely strip off. But don't think that has to be anythign more sophisticated than a large shirt or buttoned t-shirt (in a dark colour!).

[LazyMachine]

Exactly my thoughts - a 'birthing gown' is a horrid way to extract money from first time mums. I only came across them when I was looking online for a nice nighty for breast feeding.

I assumed that for labour I could just wear my own normal maternity clothes into the hospital and then they would provide a regular, super-soft-from-being-washed-5,000-times, hospital gown to change into. I don't particularly want to wear my own clothes for the bloody mess of it and I'm sure I'll end up starkers anyway (so a hospital gown would be easiest to rip off!)

But no one that I've talked to in RL has been given a hospital gown. Which I find very odd. Isn't that what they're for?

[LazyMachine]

Note - I was never intending to purchase a 'birthing gown', but it triggered some RL conversation because I thought the idea of it was so absurd. Hence, discovering that my friends weren't given hospital gowns.

[TeWiSavesTheDay]

Sometimes the MWs will give you scrubs to wear if you haven't got anything suitable, but you are expected to bring something yourself.

[LazyMachine]

Also, the reason I decided that I wanted to wear a hospital gown is because I've been trawling all the cheap stores (M&S, Primark, H&M, Debenhams, charity shops, etc.) for an inexpensive nighty that I could wear during birth and toss afterwards. But no one seems to sell anything that buttons down far enough for post birth skin-to-skin. And of the one I did find that might've worked, it was white and inevitably floral printed.

Hospital gown is therefore the way to go. (And afterwards I can slip into my amazingly comfortable Seraphina bamboo breast-feeding lounge pjs!)

[LazyMachine]

Thanks TeWi - I'm foreign and I suppose it's just handled differently in the UK. I just assumed the hospital or MLU would provide a hospital gown!

[sleepyhead]

I wore a Primary nighty about 2 sizes above my normal one. It did the job and came through remarkably unscathed, so much so that I've been wearing it on and off for the last 6 years and am contemplating using it for dc2's birth in a couple of months!

[sleepyhead]

Primark

[DeDevilTail]

I was given a hospital gown. I think it was because I was having an epidural so easier access to my spine. But in sure if you ask for one it won't be a problem.

[TurkeyDino]

I got a hospital gown. Twice

They just gave me one near the end of labour. Not sure why. I have all of my lovely post birth photos wearing an attractive gown stamped with 'nhs property'.

Now that I think about it I have no recollection of putting the gown on either time.

[LazyMachine]

I thought Primark would be my friend in that way, sleepy, but none of the options they're currently serving up would be in any way suitable for skin-to-skin. In fact, most of what they're selling at the moment are (tiny, even the largest size) vests and pj bottoms.

I did find a pack of gigantic black knickers for super cheap, though!

(Can you all tell that I'm on cervix watch and bored out of my mind waiting for this baby to arrive???!)

[LazyMachine]

@ NHS property

Thanks for your responses, everyone. (And for keeping me company!) When we arrive at the hospital, I'll ask for a gown. If they cannot provide one then I'll just do it nekkid.

[HappyJoyful]

The whole concept of them annoyed hell out of me too, and the cost.
I agree wholeheartedly with an oversized Primark (preferably black / dark blue) nightie, I got one that buttoned (given size of it) practically down to my waist so fine for skin to skin. Though now am thinking in my mind I was still in hospital gown for most of the time.
Yep and avoid paper knickers, luckily had had that tip many a time from friends, again, large (black) granny pants are your best friend.
Ahh just seen your post, primark not got any at moment - umm, tesco's / asda ? somewhere must have a big nightie

[megandraper]

You'll be lucky to get a hospital gown!

With DC3 I rushed into hospital without a labour bag (she came early and I hadn't packed one yet) - I just managed to grab a few items before rushing out of the door.

Post-labour, I discovered I'd only brought pyjama bottoms and no top. The clothes I'd come in were irretrievably bloody/sweaty. They didn't let me have ANYTHING to wear! I had to pretty much beg them to even let me have borrow a suit for my baby.

I had to wear a sweaty, gaping one-button cardie to preserve some sort of decency until visiting hours the next day (in the AFTERNOON) when DH could bring me something to wear.

[LazyMachine]

Yikes bedhopper - that's terrible!

Tesco's doesn't have anything at the moment, Happy but I haven't tried ASDA, yet - good suggestion!

If I can be bothered to make the journey I might also try TK Maxx again, since their stock shifts on a regular basis.

[TeWiSavesTheDay]

In reserve, what about a man's button-up shirt?

With DD I wore scrubs because I forgot to take anything, and with DS I wore a shirt. They were both equally comfy!

[binkybonk]

I wore a plain black slightly saucy nightie that I'd had for some time. It's ready for its second airing anytime soon. In the first pics you can see it as a black bit of fabric across my stomach as all other flesh is exposed...
When it came to skin-to-skin/ first breastfeed, I obviously felt everyone in the room had seen it all before and just pulled the whole thing down, no tasteful unbuttoning for me

[CountryCupcakes]

I just assumed that I'd be given a hospital gown the same as for DD's 1&2. 40weeks pg so theres no way I'm venturing to the shops now. One of DH's old T's will have to do. Off to re-pack my hospital bag...

[toffeelolly]

just one of my own nightdresses . a cheap one so you can bin it. never would like a hospital gown good luck

[SeeYouSoon]

I just stripped off