What Should I Wear During Labor?
At the birth center, you can wear whatever you’re comfortable with during your labor. You won’t have to wear the typical scratchy, uncomfortable hospital gowns you might have been expecting. Instead, you can wear whatever you like!
It could be:
- A robe
- A dress
- A sports bra
Or, you can choose to wear nothing! It’s completely up to the mother and her support system.
Things to consider when choosing what to wear:
While it’s entirely up to you to choose what you want to wear, here are some things to consider when making the choice.
- Accessibility: there will be occasional vaginal and abdominal examinations during labor, so wear something that allows easy access.
- Coverage: it’s up to you how much coverage you need and how much exposure you’re comfortable with.
- Free-flowing: flowy, breathable clothes are always a good idea. Wearing anything too tight or too restricting might be uncomfortable to labor in.
- Washability: you don’t want to ruin your favorite clothes by getting them stained. There are plenty of fluids going around during labor, so choose something that’s easily washable in case you get anything on it.
If you’re still unsure about your labor outfit, here are some items we have seen people wear:
- Bra and panties
- Just a bra or bralette
- An oversized t-shirt
- A birthing gown
- A flowy cotton dress
- A cotton or silk robe
Remember, it all comes down to your comfort! If you want to wear a piece of clothing because it holds sentimental value, go ahead! If you want to skip clothes and rock that pregnant body freely, do it. At the birth center, we’re not strict about the clothing you wear. Your comfort is our top priority!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!