WHAT NIGHTGOWN TO CHOOSE FOR AND AFTER GIVING BIRTH? HOW MANY TO TAKE THEM TO THE HOSPITAL?
Childbirth is one of the most intense experiences in every mother's life. Although we know a lot about it, we can never really fully prepare for everything that awaits us in the delivery room. Nevertheless, it is worth focusing on a few aspects that remain within our control. One of them is appropriate, comfortable clothing that will provide us with maximum freedom. Check what to consider when choosing the perfect nightgown for childbirth.
First of all, convenience
The right nightgown for childbirth should, above all, be comfortable. It is worth remembering that during the entire birth process, the expectant mother will be forced to change her position quite often - get up, sit down, move from bed to ball, etc. Therefore, the first thing to consider is the length.
What length?
In this case, there is no one correct answer - the length of the maternity nightgown should primarily be tailored to the expectations and requirements of the future mother. However, it is worth following a few proven tips. It is good that the nightgown reaches more or less the knees - a shorter one can cause discomfort, roll up and embarrassment during childbirth. On the other hand, a longer one will limit movements, get tangled and may make it difficult for medics to work. Knee length seems to be the most reasonable.
Sleeves? Or maybe shoulder straps?
When choosing the right style of the nightgown, it is also worth considering the issue of sleeves. As in the case of the length itself, the decision here will also depend on the personal preferences of the mother in labor, but we recommend narrowing down the selection to straps or short sleeves.
These are by far the two most practical options. More and more often, long-sleeved nightgowns are abandoned, because during childbirth, a woman is usually connected to a drip, blood is drawn, blood pressure is checked or other parameters are checked. A long sleeve will be quite problematic in this case - you will have to roll it up every time, and in some cases, it may be necessary to take off the nightgown.
When it comes to shoulder straps or short sleeves, both variants are equally practical. They allow easy access to the veins and leave the hands exposed. Importantly, it is worth remembering that childbirth is primarily a huge effort for the body, so despite the initial cold, women giving birth do not complain about too low a temperature. A reasonable solution is also to adjust the length of the sleeves to the season - in the summer a nightgown with straps will be great, while in autumn and winter we can put on a short sleeve and prepare an additional cardigan, which we can easily cover ourselves with if necessary.
Good material is a must
When choosing a nightgown for childbirth, apart from the cut itself, special attention should be paid to the material. In this case, it is worth thinking about in the long term - there is a high probability that the nightgown can also be used after giving birth - for night feeding. Hence, investing in the right material is essential. As in the case of underwear, the best choice will be cotton with an admixture of elastane. Thanks to this, the nightgown will breathe, the material will be pleasant to the body, and the whole fabric will drape well. Let’s not forget that childbirth is a huge effort, and artificial fibers will only increase sweating and may cause irritation. Good quality material should also handle blood and other dirt - then it is enough to rinse the stain with a stream of cold water, and then proceed to traditional washing. Nevertheless, it is worth thinking about investing in a nightgown in a darker shade.
Cutouts and neckline
Although the neckline may not be directly associated with childbirth, when choosing the right nightgown, you should also take into account the moments shortly after birth - in the case of natural childbirth, the baby is often given to the mother right away. A deeper neckline will not only allow skin to skin contact, but also facilitate the first feeding. Many birthing nightgowns also have additional cutouts, e.g. discreet buttons or zippers that make it easier to latch the baby to the breast or open at the back, which will be useful when administering an epidural.
Cena
You should also keep your budget in mind when purchasing a maternity nightgown. Although it is sometimes easy to forget about it, preparing for the arrival of a toddler can be really expensive. After all, future parents have to prepare a room, buy appropriate accessories and clothes. Hence, when investing in a nightgown for childbirth, it is worth having common sense. It is best to focus on the base, i.e. a good, breathable fabric - you should not give up on this. However, it must be remembered that it is not uncommon for a nightgown to be worn after childbirth - it happens that stains cannot be cleaned or - in more extreme cases - the material is cut, for example. Therefore, it is best that the nightgown for the delivery room is of the average price range, while a larger amount of money can be spent on nightgowns that we will use every day.
Aesthetics
Although appearance is the last thing on your mind during labor, the mother-to-be will probably spend several hours in the hospital with the staff and relatives before it arrives. It is worth taking care of your well-being at this time. Aesthetic outfit will not affect the course of delivery in any way, but it will certainly positively affect the mood of the future mother. Many people also want to capture in the photo not only the baby, but also the waiting period itself and the first moments together, such as feeding or kangarooing. A nightgown in which a woman simply feels good will certainly make these moments even more special - a new mother will be able to focus on remembering this beautiful time without worrying about whether the outfit looks appropriate.
How many hospital gowns for childbirth is enough?
When packing a bag for the hospital, many women wonder not only about what nightgowns will work best for childbirth, but also how many outfits should be in our luggage. In this case, it is difficult to give a clear answer - one nightgown is enough to give birth. Even if something happened to her in the meantime, the staff will provide us with a disposable gown offered by most hospitals. However, usually a new mother and her baby stay in the hospital for about 48 hours, so it's worth preparing two or even three extra nightgowns. Newborns spit a lot, so it's good to be prepared to change clothes a bit more often. Remember that you buy nightgowns not only for the hospital - you will be able to use them for many more months. A good quality nursing nightgown is also an investment for the period of pregnancy itself - its free cut will adapt to the growing belly.
Remember to avoid two-piece pajamas - not only are they not suitable for the delivery room, but they can also cause trouble shortly after giving birth. During the postpartum period, many doctors encourage you to give up trousers - then a light, loose nightgown will work much better. You can find a wide selection of high-quality nightgowns here, for example:https://www.bagatelle.sklep.pl/koszulka-nocna-c107.