Here’s something I bet you didn’t know… well, maybe you did but I bet you didn’t realize the significance of it… well, maybe you do… aaanyway, here’s something interesting. 

You can wear your own clothes while you labor…. in the hospital.

It goes without saying that you can wear your own clothes if you intend to give birth at home but that the same is true in a hospital is often overlooked.  Here’s what happens.  You come into the hospital and, unless you waited until the very last moment and gave birth in the car, you waddle on up to Labor and Delivery to check in.  They assign you a room and leave you to change; returning a short time later to check your vitals and such.

Did you catch that?  It was quick wasn’t it?  In one short little phrase they directed you right out of your comfortable, familiar clothes and into one of those uncomfortable, cold, open in the back, very unfashionable hospital gowns.

So the question I hear you asking is:  “Why does it matter?”  And there are a couple of reasons.  First, you don’t want to spend your whole labor stuck in bed because you don’t want to deal with the *ahem* logistical difficulties of a gown that opens in back.  Second and more importantly, there are subliminal messages a hospital gown sends to the patient wearing it.  “You are ill.”  “You need to be taken care of.”  “You cannot make decisions for yourself.”  “You are not the expert here.”

In a normal labor (and most labors are normal) none of these statements are true and none of them empower you to work as a team with your body, your caregivers and your baby to produce your perfect birth.

It does not have to be that way.  Bring your own gown.  Something that covers but is relatively short so it doesn’t get in the way of the monitors.  Bring your own robe.  You won’t have to worry about flashing anyone if you choose to stroll down the hallway.  Pick something cute. Pick something beautiful. Pick something that makes you feel comfortable and confident.  I once attended the labor of client who went out and purchased a sexy, red teddy just for the event.  As she lay there after the birth, nursing her newly born daughter, she was indeed the most radiant new mother I’ve ever seen.  At Sister’s birth, I wore a plain, blue t-shirt - one of my favorites at the time.  There is even a company (Binsi) who makes cute skirts and tops specifically for labor. 

You will dress up for every other special event throughout your child’s life.  Why not start with her birth?

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