Laboring in the cold - what to wear?

[Maruschke]

Just wondering - if you laboured in winter, were you still warm enough to do it naked? I was planning on wearing a hossy gown until I got so distracted that I was naked, don't want to ruin my clothes and I think it will be easier to get in and out of the shower / bath etc naked.

What did you wear?

[Jas]

I had a long sleeve but above the knee nightie with matching hot pink bed socks! Midwife got me to put on a hospital gown and stupid me put it on even though i was more comfy in my own stuff. Ended up stuck to the bed...medical issues with a highly monitored labour so didnt get naked but i think it would be the same as having a shower or bath normally in winter as long as its warm enough water will be fine.I recommend bed socks though keeps u warm

[QueenMab]

I should think that the hossie would be heated & the temerature quite regulated so you shouldn't have to worry too much?

Personally I wouldn't be too worried, if you're cold just let someone know & you'll be sorted, but I think with the hot water of the shower & the bath, combined with your exhertion, being cold will be the least of your worries!!

I had DP applying ice water to my forehead when I was in the bath!

[Indadhanu]

I laboured in August, the hospital was warm enough for me to go naked.

ETA: I just put a flanette shirt on if i wanted coverage...

[Trillian]

I just wore a summer nighty and the room was warm enough that I didnt' have to worry about having warm clothes on. If I felt hot, I was given ice chips to suck on and a cold flannel on my forehead.

[Maruschke]

Thanks everyone .

[Tanya]

Quite often in labour you feel HOT! So just prepare for how you think you would be comfy

[skybie]

i laboured in august aswell and it was freezing!!!! but the hospital was almost too warm, so going starkas was fine! but i think by the time i was naked i really wasnt worrying about if i was cold or not

[Cricket]

Laboured in winter here, but everything was well heated. I was mostly warm... too warm. And then there was the after-delivery shivering and freezing, but that happened with my summer babies too. And a warmed blanket felt SOOOO good then.
If you want, take along some comfy old clothes - a pair of sweat pants, t-shirt, and sweatshirt, and then you can layer up if you like - socks and slippers might be nice too. And I don't think you will ruin anything, as long as what you take is easily washable.
By the way, you likely won't care about being naked when you are in labour. I am not in the habit of walking around naked, but in labour the rules change. I couldn't care less!
All the best!

[Glamourcide]

Yeah, DD was born at the beginning of August and the maternity ward of our hospital was HOT. They have those big plastic doors at the entry to the ward so that the nice warm air stays in while the rest of the hospital is freeezing.
I laboured in a Bonds singlet, no socks, nothing else (but for a maternity bra) and was constantly demanding ice water (my mouth was really dry from the gas too, but I was SWEATING) - meanwhile DH was wearing a hoodie and the midwives all had their thick stockings on!!
By the way my singlet still gets worn all the time, all the muck washed out as soon as I got it home so don't worry too much about ruining anything.

After the labour, it was back into trackie pants and a thick jumper (which is hilarious because we don't experience temps lower than 18C even in the dead of winter here, people think we're weird because we go out clubbing in the middle of July in miniskirts and singlet tops!) for my 'walks' outdoors, but inside it was quite toasty.

HTH!!

[Inertia]

Good question. I didn't even think of it. I find the rooms cold during the summer months so I should be prepared for the heater to be too low for me! I like the sounds of the flanel shirt. I have a nice thick one that will probably be good to keep on hand.

I have always prefered to labout in my own clothes. The hospital gowns just never sit right!

[Tobily]

Quite often in labour you feel HOT! So just prepare for how you think you would be comfy

Yep once things really get going labour is really hard work - so you sweat and often feel really warm anyway.

I always used to drive my mums nutty asking them if they were cold all the time when they'd get out of the shower and wander around wet and naked - because I was cold just looking at them...but they never were

[BekZ]

I always recommend socks and make sure your birthing partner has a jumper..they can get cold too.

I think a nightie is fine

[~Debbie~]

Aiden was born end of June, and i laboured in the hossi gown. was easier. And i think it unbuttoned along the shoulders or something, cause i know i got so hot that i had it off my shoulders. Why ruin your own clothes hey?
Generally the birthing units etc are kept abit warm any way i think.