So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

Ok, what the heck do we need to have for wearing in the hospital? I'm soooo confused by this.

- I know hospital gown during labor & delivery, obviously. Then, afterwards, we can eventually change into our own gown or pants/top, right?
- What the heck kind of clothes do we buy? Regular or maternity? And if the answer's regular (non-preggo), how the heck do we know what size to get?
- Do we really need to bring a robe? Why?
- I know we want to look presentable when guests come to visit, but will I even be up & around, or will I be sitting in the bed (and hopefully covered by a blanket)? And if the answer is up & around when guests are there, won't they be able to see the granny panties outline and the huge bulging industrial size pad we've got to wear through like knit pants? I mean, I'm sure everyone will be looking at my butt , but still

Thanks for humoring me ladies. I'm sooo clueless about this one aspect for some reason. I was looking at some maternity gowns and they're huge and looked like I'd never need to wear them.

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

I was confused about this as well. I ended up getting two maternity pajama sets (one gown and one 2 piece). I'm bringing a lightweight robe I have that would match both because I don't necessarily want visitors staring at my chest (both pajamas are nursing pajamas). I'm also bringing yoga pants and tank tops. For going home, I'm wearing soft cotton pants and a t-shirt. Don't forget to bring socks and slippers.

Message edited 5/18/2007 7:10:12 PM.

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

vaginal birth = night gown, they will wantot ckeck your incissions every few hrs. Otherwise you will be stcuk pulling down your pajama bottoms

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

I brought a few pairs of flannel pants (non-maternity, but bigger than my pre-preg size- got them super-cheap at Kohls) and long sleeve t-shirts. I ended up being SO tired that I stayed in my gown nearly the whole time and didn't put on the pants till more than 24 hours after having the baby.

Don't bring anything you care about ruining- you may bleed on it. I kept my flannel robe on over my gown and I was comfortable. I wanted to walk around a little and I felt better having a robe on.

Message edited 5/18/2007 7:25:20 PM.

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

When I delivered, I wore the hospital gown for a few hours after delivery, then I showered and put on my own lounge pants and t-shirt...I didn't gain a lot of weight, so I just bought things a bit bigger than my pre-preg. size...I didn't have a problem with wearing pants at all...they only checked my stiches, etc. twice a day max...I found a robe helpful at night when I was breastfeeding, etc...I am not a nightgown person, so I knew that I wouldn't be comfortable in one so I wore pj pants and a nursing camisole at night.

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

I am bringing the following

- 2 nightgowns
- 1 robe (waffle light weight)
- 1 PJ bottom
- slippers
- Several panties (looking into to disposisble panties from Medela)
- Leave outfit consist of comfy waist skirt and 1 top and 1 cardigan (just in case that day is not that warm)
- I have a backup sun dress.
- flip flops

NOTHING TO bind me at the waist since I plan on a c-section but even if it was vaginal (it could turn into a c-section) so I am "safe" either way.

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

I was pretty confused about what to bring also.

I got the following:

A nightgown from Kohls for the first night after I give birth.

Two pairs of capri pjs from kohls. I got them in Large's - I'm in XL now so I figured they would be fine.

A pair of slippers

I have an extra Victoria's Secret robe that I haven't worn for ages so I'll bring that with me.

To go home I think I'll just wear a pair of sweats and a t-shirt.

Oh, and I bought underwear.

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

I bought a nightgown and robe set and a top/bottom/robe set from A Pea in the Pod. I also bought 6 pairs of panties and 2 nursing bras. For the trip home I am bringing a pair of comfortable pull-on pants and a pull-on skirt (who knows what my mood/weather will be) and some sort of loose top...probably a maternity top.

Message edited 5/18/2007 8:56:06 PM.

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

I have to say I packed so much stuff and barely used any of it!

I delivered DS at 11pm and that night I stayed in the gown. I showered in the morning and put a gown back on b/c it was easier with the IV I still had. As it got closer to visiting hours I changed into yoga pants and a tee-shirt. I ended up wearing that all night and then showering and changing into the same thing in the morning.

For the next baby, I am leaving home the robe (i never wear a robe at home and didn't wear it at all there-I had my bra on and didn't need it)

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

Posted by emilain

vaginal birth = night gown, they will wantot ckeck your incissions every few hrs. Otherwise you will be stcuk pulling down your pajama bottoms

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

Thanks for all the advice ladies! For some reason, this aspect just really confuses me. Guess I just need to make a point of shopping for this stuff specifically, to get it over with!!

THANK YOU!

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

Everyone's different, but here's what I did:

For the first night I wore the hospital gown. Once I showered I put on the nursing gown I brough because the hospital gown was such a pain in the a$$ to pull down to nurse.

My advice - DO NOT bring pants to stay in. They check you every couple hours and your belly is still pretty squishy and tender even with a Vaginal birth, so you don't want anything pressing on it.

The day I was discharged I wore maternity yoga pants and a nursing tank home. I give lots of credit to those women who are able to get pretty and dressed up on the way home.

I was far too exhausted and uncomfortable to do that!

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

Posted by MrsBumbleb

Posted by emilain

vaginal birth = night gown, they will wantot ckeck your incissions every few hrs. Otherwise you will be stcuk pulling down your pajama bottoms

they never checked mine once I wore two piece regular flannel pj's

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

thanks for this post/answers as i have been wondering about this too!!

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

The one thing I learned is that you dont want to be weraing bottoms. They are annoying.

I wore a maternity nursing gown and the hospital gown---my room was 99 degrees so I needed to be comfortable.

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

I wore bottoms with my hospital gown and slippers. It really wasn't an issue to pull the pants down a little to check me. The midwife asked where I got the PJ bottoms since she said she sees them a lot (Old Navy Maternity). You will most likely end up with a lot of blood on your clothes and slippers, so I wouldn't wear anything you don't want ruined. I pitched my slippers when I was discharged. A robe is nice to wear when you have visitors.

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

I had purchased 2 inexpensive nightgowns and robe from Wal Mart b/c I refused to spend the $$ on something that could get ruined. I wore the hospital gown the first 2 nights, and my night gown the last night. I was so much more comfortable in my own nightgown. THe robe was more like a zip up "housecoat". I bought them in a size XL, just to make sure they fit. I tried them on while still PG, just to make sure--they just fit. I figured my tummy would be smaller after delivery.

As for visitors, I had none on my last day, when I was wearing my nightgown. Understand that the people visiting you know you're in the hopsital and understand you've just had a baby, and will "forgive" any visible bulges (I didn't have any--even though I felt like I had a pad the size of China on!)

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

I wore sweats and tshirts during the day, nightgowns at night. I was only checked like 2x a day. Honestly I didn't care about VPL or the pad being obvious or whatever. I didn't even think about it, I was so excited that the baby was finally here.

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

Last time I wore night gowns and no one ever checked me and my stitches and I hate nightgowns - so not doing it again. I brought a robe (which I never wear), slippers and comfy socks. I used al of those. My son was in the NICU and I was constantly walking the halls so they were needed. I

This time I'd probably bring sweats and tees for the day and some kind of capri pants pjs for night. Some more socks, slippers and a robe - just in case.

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

All in all I think we all have different experiences with what works/ed for us...From past experience I will be bringing:

Pajama bottoms or lounge pants
Tank tops (hospital is so warm)
Pair of Pajama Boxers (again warm hospital)
T-Shirts
And a hoody (instead of robe)
Flip flops instead of slippers.

My basic usual attire. I could never be comfortable in a nightgown.

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

So based on this post and everyone's varied experience, I think the best bet for everyone would be to bring one nightgown and one pants set and see which one you feel like wearing.

I never thought I would want to wear the gown, yet that was my lifesaver.

It will be good to have options and let's face it, clothes aren't that heavy so packing a little extra won't hurt.

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

I agree/disagree with everyone above.

I wore a nightgown the first night. They woke me up to check me & was glad i had it.

The minute I showered, I was in yoga pants & a maternity t-shirt.

I would suggest extra socks, slippers & something to wear in the shower (footwise).

Message edited 5/20/2007 12:58:08 PM.

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

I had a c-section both times.

First night hospital gown. Once I was allowed to get up and shower I wore yoga pants and a maternity t-shirt .

I never wore a robe.

Re: So Confused-- What to Wear in Hospital?

c-section mommy here -

Dont wear anything nice until you make that first bathroom trip after surgery. . . you'll bleed heavily and will have little control over it. . . sorry if tmi - but a man with a mop had to come into the bathroom when I was done - and he returned when my roommate first used the bathroom as well (also a c-section)

After my first shower I put on a loose t-shirt, maternity bra and baggy, draw string pants that I had worn throughout most of my pregnancy. After the first day I really wasnt in bed too much - I felt really good.

Never brought a robe, never brought a gown.