As a Doula with the majority of my clients having hospital births, I always hated seeing moms in the ugly hospital gowns. They make a gorgeous pregnant mama, about to give birth, look dowdy and tired. They also somehow give an air of defeat to the mother. My clients that have brought their own pretty nightgown to labor and give birth in, feel more confident and usually are in better moods and happier throughout their labor. They seem to do better in labor, because they feel good about themselves and their body.
I used to sell BINSI, when I had the studio and boutique, and have been a fan of the company for awhile. The skirt and top I am giving away, was actually planned for Penelope's birth. But then I gained a whopping 65 pounds (which I have shed, thank you very much). My boobs, belly and butt had taken on a life of their own and I couldn't fit into a size medium to save my life. Kimberly Taylor, the owner of BINSI, was kind enough to send me a skirt and top in a larger size. However, my when my labor started it STARTED! I took a bath at the very beginning of my labor to see if the contractions would slow down or if it was the real deal. By the time I got out of the bath, 45 minutes later, I was in full labor, vomiting, water breaking, thinking I was going to die, you know, labor. I never put clothes back on the rest of my labor! I had them all ready to go in my birth basket, but I was naked the entire time and never got to wear my fabulous BINSI skirt and top. But I will try to wear them again with our next baby!
So to enter, tell me what you wore in labor to make you feel wonderful, or what you had wished you had wore, in the comment section. Did you wear a bracelet or necklace from a Mother Blessing? Share the giveaway on facebook by clicking "like" below, or tweet the giveaway, then leave another comment each time letting us know for an additional entry. Entries will close at midnight August 11th (Penelope's 9 month birthday!) and a winner will be randomly selected.
I wore a tank top and yoga pants. They came off quickly though. I had a labor bracelet my friends made me :).
ReplyDeleteposted on facebook ;)
ReplyDeleteI wore the traditional hospital gown and some socks that my husband took off his own feet when I mentioned that my toes were cold :-). Can't say I felt sexy, but the beauty of what my body was doing won't soon be forgotten. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_53Tdp60XNoo/S1UXi8konCI/AAAAAAAASVw/s71E4zdSLew/s1600-h/DSC_0833.JPG One of the last photos of preggo me :-)
ReplyDeletePosted to FB and to twitter :-)
ReplyDeleteWell.... for Claire's birth-unplanned dreaded hospital gown. For Nora's, nothing. I was headed upstairs to get the camera to take to the park with us, after going out for lunch, and I never made it back down. I tried the tub, and then moved to the bed... no clothes for me!
ReplyDeleteShared on my FB profile and my FOB fan page :)
ReplyDeleteI had two sweet little gowns picked out to wear, but never wore them. Most everything I put on I took right off because it felt scratchy or tight once I started laboring... so I wore nothing for most of it. I spent the majority of the time in the tub at home and the hosptial. When I was still at home, I occasionally put on a tank and yoga type pants for a short time. At the hospital, I got back in the tub and didn't get out until 6 hours later and birthed naked. Looking back I wish I would have had some sort of tank on so I wouldn't be naked in almost all of the pictures! I keep looking for a program that will let me add a little black tank to some of my photos :) I had my birthing necklace from my blessingway hung near me but didn't wear it. For my next birth, I think I will reshape it into a bracelet and see if that is more do-able for actual wearing.
ReplyDeleteWith my first- nothing at all except my wedding ring on a chain around my neck. After my water burst explosively they sort of cut me off from any more hospital gowns.
ReplyDeleteFor my first labor, I wore the hospital gown (blech).
ReplyDeleteFor my second, I was in the shower the whole time, so I wore nada.
For the twins, I planned on wearing a binsi-type skirt and bra-top, but forgot to pack it and wore the hospital gown (double blech).
I wore nothing for most of my last labor. lol! I was planning on wearing my yoga pants and a bra-top, but I got SOOO hot (it was an unseasonably warm early October day) that I just stripped them all off traipsed around birthday-style.
I shared on FB. :) http://www.facebook.com/deelahthedoula
ReplyDeleteI wore hospital gowns for my first two. I would LOVE to have something different this time around! shireemartin@gmail.com
ReplyDeletei wore a drab, oversized hospital gown for my first labor. it was so big it would barely stay on. i so want a binsi skirt and top for my next birth in october.
ReplyDeleteWell, haven't given birth yet, but due in December. I plan on birthing in a birth center, where clothing is even optional, but I do want to be covered up... I can't picture myself a nuder. This would be wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI wore deceased grandmother's robe, which reaches only to my thighs. I left it open and it was perfect for laboring on my feet or squatting. It came off during transition when I was having hot flashes, but having the presence of a strong, sassy role model there in some small way was so empowering!
ReplyDelete-sigh- I always said I would NOT be one of THOOOOSE mothers who was butt naked in all the birth pictures, but I was. I had a nightgown on, but I kept getting in and out of the tub and just quit bothering with it. As soon as my daughter was born and the pictures started I covered up with a blanket, haha.
ReplyDeleteI started out in a black maternity dress that was my favourite toward the end of my pregnancy, but once things really got going and I was ready to jump (ha, waddle) into the birth tub, I stripped that off and put on one of my husband's black spandex Nike shirts. :-p
ReplyDeleteI was in the hospital gown (or several of them throughout the process!) & a sports bra!
ReplyDeleteThese would be LOVELY! :)
I haven't given birth yet, but this seems like a great alternative to a boring, scratchy hospital gown! I guess I should find an outfit like this, because I'm in the camp of not wanting to be naked in pictures. What a great giveaway idea!
ReplyDeleteI have a client who was a midwife for years, at the age of 50 she decided to retire and came up with an unique product, and made a website for it. I has been over 5 years since and the niche product is still performing. I believe Doulas, midwifes because of their noble work, have some kind of protection that will carry them throw life.
ReplyDeleteI wore a loose t-shirt and pj bottoms ... until I had to get an IV and on came the hospital gown. It just didn't feel right. Hey! My daughter's name was Penelope, too. She was a stillborn, but I remember her everyday and love her very much. I'm pregnant with her sister Camille right now at 36 weeks tomorrow. Thanks for this giveaway!
ReplyDeletegiabao.ng @ gmail
Just shared it on Facebook! :)
ReplyDeleteThe winner is...
ReplyDeleteShiree!!!
who said...
I wore hospital gowns for my first two. I would LOVE to have something different this time around!
I am sending you an email now! Congrats!