What were you wearing (and other questions...)

What were you wearing when you gave birth? A hospital gown?

I've been watching birthing videos in my hypnobirthing class, and thats what all the women have been wearing.

I guess I'm wondering when you put that on - was it right when you got to the hospital? Ideally I'd like to be able to walk around and such, and no can do in a hospital gown

Also, these women were VERY exposed. Now I know my modesty will fly out the window in the midst of labor, but their gowns were hiked way up with no shield or anything (and after the birth the gowns were up over their boobs for skin to skin contact and breastfeeding - so they were pretty much naked).

Granted its not the most modest women that sign up to have their labor/delivery video taped so I'm wondering: what is it like in the real world? How long were you "exposed"?

Were you able to walk around at all during labor?
Could you eat anything?
What position did you deliver in?

Sorry for all the questions, can you tell the videos freaked me out a bit

TIA!

Re: What were you wearing (and other questions...)

I said no way was I giving birth in a dingy hospital gown - I packed a beautiful nightie that I wasn't afraid to get ruined and had all these grand thoughts of beautiful first pics with my baby and walking around laboring in style. HA! I got there and was in such a state of anxiousness and swept up in all the excitement they stuck me in one of those stupid gowns and I couldn't've cared less

Re: What were you wearing (and other questions...)

They gave me 2. So you put one on front facing open and one back facing open so everything was covered

Re: What were you wearing (and other questions...)

Those are great questions...I never would have thought to ask about that at all!

Yep, I was in the gown pretty quickly. You go into triage first and that's where I changed before I went to the labor and delivery room. They gave me 2 gowns. The first one I put on opening in the back and the second one I put on top like a robe. I didn't walk around, but if I did, I would have been totally covered.

I had a lot tubes coming out down below so, the nether regions were revealed several times, but I remember thinking, "Everyone is right, you won't care who's looking!"

I don't think I was all exposed full on because I never did the pushing thing due to an emergency c/s. So, I got the pleasure of an oxygen mask and hospital shower cap thingy!!

As far as the breastfeeding, yeah, it was kind of weird to have strangers grabbing your breast to help things out. Well, it was useful in the end anyway.

All in all, really not too bad at ALL!!

Re: What were you wearing (and other questions...)

Another fashionably ugly hospial gown wearer here as well. I aslo had the pleasure of the oxygen mask and cap. Lisa your modesty does kinda of fly out the window because my whole lower area was exposed to the whole OR and before I went to the OR the nurse asked if I needed to be groomed , thank goodness I didn't

Re: What were you wearing (and other questions...)

This is a good question, because here in Colorado, they must've shown the SAME videos to us!!! I looked at DH and was like, "what is up with all these nekked women??!!!" I mean, some had their gowns wide open on top towards the end so that they could nurse right away, but a few were totally naked!

Me, I'll be covered up as much as possible

Re: What were you wearing (and other questions...)

Once they admitted me they put me into a hospital gown. They said if I was wearing a wire bra I would have to take it off so I assume if it was elastic you could wear it (I didnt wear a bra). Once they admit you they have you hooked up to IV and a fetal monitor so walking around isn't an option. When I was laying in the bed in L&D the doctor would hike up gown to check me and then cover my legs again. The only people in my room was my DH, my doctor and my nurse and that was it, when it came time to push they did have a nurse for the baby. His ambicable cord was very short so they never put him on my chest but my breasts were never exposed. I am glad I wore the hospital gown, I actually wore it for the first day and half because it was very convenient to nurse in and I wore another gown in the back so I was all covered.

Re: What were you wearing (and other questions...)

I was induced and had strep B so had to ly in bed due to the drip - no walking around for me...I was wearing the hospital gown the whole time and to be honest it was the best thing as it opened in the right places etc.

I was pushing for about 2 hours and the nurse would lower my gown back down in between pushes so it was not revealing at all.

Once my DD was delivered and it was time to BF the nurse just loosened the back of my gown so I could pull down one side...again not very revealing but to be honest I could have been lying there stark naked and wouldnt have cared.

I took two nightgowns and a pyjamas to the hospital with me but to be honest I used the hospital gowns for the first day and was glad I did as I bled a lot and ruined a couple of gowns.

I think it depends on the hospital and the nurse but if you are really worried why dont you have your partner or whomever will be with you during the labor to keep you covered.

Good luck.

Re: What were you wearing (and other questions...)

I wore a hospital gown the entire time. I also had strep b and hooked up to Iv antibiotics so walking around would have been tough. Also once they start the meds for pain - no real walking as well. I had them pretty early on since I was in labor but not dilating so I was put on pitocin as soon as I got to the hospital. I never felt exposed since there were blankets and doors and such and never thought about it since I wasn't moving much.

I stayed in bed in pretty normal position and was comfy that way. I preferred staying still and not moving and kept focus on one spot on the wall.

I know some woman did walk around and when they did they gave them a second gown to cover the back up.

Re: What were you wearing (and other questions...)

As soon as I got to my L&D room they had me put on the gown. I was hooked up to an IV right away so the only walking I did was to the bathroom. I think I had a sheet over me while I was in bed that they lifted up from the bottom to give me a little privacy/ But really it is so true that you won't care one bit who sees you once the time comes. The gowns at my hospital had snaps on the shoulders so you could undo them to nurse and not have to lift up the whole gown.

Re: What were you wearing (and other questions...)

Hey Lisa, it's getting so close!!!!

I went into L&D, registered. Was told to put the gown on, was checked -told I was staying for a delivery. I was 4cm. I was hooked up at that point with an iv. I ate nothing, didn't even think about it nor wanted anything. I did have some ice chips for hydration. After an hr. I was only 5cm so I was give pitocin, whoa! that hurt. Felt several contractions and begged for an epidural. I was given a pain killer-relaxant, fell asleep and woke to get my epi. Felt nothing during getting the epi or after. A half hour after that I was 10cm and fully dialted/efaced. I pushed for an hour or less. I was suddenly STARVING after they brought me lunch an hour after giving birth. I walked from triage to my room pushing Lauren in her incubator.

Message edited 5/4/2006 8:07:51 PM.

Re: What were you wearing (and other questions...)

for my most recent birth I was in a gown as well, didn't eat, stood up and rocked a bit because I didn't get an epidural and I wanted to pull my hair out, stayed pretty covered the whole time until the doc came in and I think I pulled uo th egown for her because my son was "rigth there!", I pushed for literally 30 seconds and he was out! Make sure you get that epi, I did my 1st and 2nd with the epi and what a difference, without an epi really is pure torture I thought I as going ot die and I really became delusional, i was seeing things and hearing my uncle who is dead, it was pretty intense, but over quick once the doc finally got there!!

Message edited 5/4/2006 8:40:56 PM.

Re: What were you wearing (and other questions...)

Funny....I can't even remember putting that hospital gown on but yes...that's what I wore. But there was no walking around for me at the hospital. They sent me home to labor . Which I guess in retrospect was a good thing but man was I ******!!! Once i got back to the hospital it was time for the epi.

Re: What were you wearing (and other questions...)

I was also in a hospital gown but it was never up past my waist. Once I got into the L&D room they put me on an IV and fetal monitor, then a couple of hours later they gave me the epi and put a catheter in. So basically it was impossible for me to walk around. I couldn't eat anything but wasn't hungry at all. I was so thirsty though but I wasn't allowed to drink anything either, just ice chips. I gave birth on my back, reclined and in stirrups.

I too worried about being exposed during labor, but honestly I could've cared less who came in the room and who saw what. Especially after I started pushing, I had no shame. I just wanted him OUT!

Message edited 5/5/2006 10:46:12 AM.

Re: What were you wearing (and other questions...)

Posted by Stacey1403

They gave me 2. So you put one on front facing open and one back facing open so everything was covered

Re: What were you wearing (and other questions...)

I gave birth in my own nightshirt. I cannot stand hospital gowns. They are too constricting around the neck and make me very claustrophobic.

I was able to walk around for as long as and as much as I wanted.
I labored in the jacuzzi tub in my room as well.
I was able to eat if I wanted but honestly once labor started to progress you have no interest in food. I ate some protein (chicken nuggets) when I first got to the hospital and some graham crackers a little bit later. I drank gatorade with ice and water for my entire labor. you are more thirsty than anything.
I started out pushing laying kind of on my side but ended up giving birth on my hands and knees. I used midwives though. Most doctors won't let you use a position other than laying on your back.

ETA: You can refuse being hooked up to a fetal monitor. I did. They would just come in and do the manual doppler. I did not want to be restricted to bed since I planned a natural birth.
Also I had Group B Strep and was still able to walk the halls with my IV. They would unhook me once the medicine had all gone in.

Just remember you are the patient and you are in charge of your birth. They can't force you to do anything you don't want to.

Message edited 5/5/2006 9:49:32 AM.

Re: What were you wearing (and other questions...)

thank you for sharing all your experiences! I'm using a midwife also, and I plan to discuss with her that I don't want to be hooked up to anything right away...

Message edited 5/5/2006 9:58:55 AM.

Re: What were you wearing (and other questions...)

Questsion: What were you wearing when you gave birth? A hospital gown?

My Answer: They gave me two gowns so I was totally covered.

Question: I guess I'm wondering when you put that on - was it right when you got to the hospital? When I got there they gave me the gowns to put on after I signed in. I was able to walk around during labor they actually wanted me to walk around. I was allowed to walk around until I couldn't walk anymore and at that point I got the epidural.

As far as having the gown all the way up to my breast after giving birth no I wasn't I was still covered the gown was just above my waist thats about it. The only people who were able to see anything were the 2 nurses in the room and the doctor as well as my FH other then that no one else was able to see anything the door was shut and they had a curtain drawn.

Could you eat anything? I wasn't really hungry so I didn't eat anything but I was very thursty and was drinking water and ice chips. After I gave birth I justwanted something else to drink aside from water

What position did you deliver in? I was in a reclined position with my legs in the stur-ups


Great Questions I would of never thought to ask these questions

Re: What were you wearing (and other questions...)

The first thing they did was put me in the hospital gown, hook me up to an IV and fetal monitor. They also gave me two gowns to wear so I would be covered and they let me keep on my sports bra underneath.

Because of all the machines hooked up to me they did not let me walk around at all and that really p!ssed me off. There was nothing I wanted to do more than walk around. I had to go to the bathroom constantly and I'm sure the nurses were annoyed at that (as was I) because I had to disconnect the fetal monitor each time and drag my IV with me. SO annoying.

Next time, if there is a next time, I am going to change that. I hated that I couldn't walk around.

When it was time for the c-section, I was butt naked from just below the boobs down.

Re: What were you wearing (and other questions...)

When I first got the hospital they gave me a gown to check me out (and hooked me up to a monitor) . They said I was 3-4 centimeters and that I should walk for 2 hours so they made me put my clothes back on and go for a walk ...I started walking up and down the New Life Center at Winthrop (near the reception area/waiting area). I lasted about 5-10 minutes when I started bleeding so I headed back there. I went to triage again and put on a gown again they said I was 5-6 centometers and I walked to the labor/delivery suite. I wasn't hooked up to an IV until I said that I would take the epidural. I was refusing any medication until that point so I was free to move if I wanted. I should have sat on the birth ball for my labor because they could have helped me stay focused for my hypnobirthing. All the up/down, moving walking, dressing/undressing was not putting in a relaxed state.
Everything was happening so quickly that I forgot that I had ice chips for a minute. I never really asked for them.
I only had the epidural in for like an hour and then I was 10 centimeters. He came out with three sets of contractions so that was fast.
I breastfed pretty much right after the peditrician checked him out because I had GD. I didn't feel so exposed during that part (that I can remember). I got their at 8am and had him at 1:25 pm and the nurse was wonderful. She even walked and help me get into a new gown before they wheeled me up to the postpartum unit.

ALSO: I am glad I had the nasty hospital gowns because it does get quite messy while delivering. I was wearing another clean gown even the next day with a bathrobe because I was bleeding alot. I think the second day I put in pajamas with my bathrobe when I had visitors.

Message edited 5/5/2006 11:27:43 AM.

Re: What were you wearing (and other questions...)

yes, when you get admitted to the hospital they put in you the hospital gown. Trust me, you wouldn't want anything else because of the mess that will begin. I was up and walking for a few hours while in labor, I just asked for a 2nd gown to put on my back. You will also have to take off your panties, because they will be doing frequent checks to see how for dialated you are. Don't stress over it!