Recently, more pregnant women are thinking about what to wear during labor. This has led to a discussion about the importance of labor and delivery gowns.

The typical birth experience

The typical hospital birth experience often involves meeting a flurry of strangers, being bombarded with questions, getting hooked up to monitors, and enduring needles to start an IV. On top of all that, you're asked to wear a hospital gown made of itchy, uncomfortable material, with your backside exposed. Not to mention, that same hospital gown may have seen better days, having been exposed to various bodily fluids and even death. 

This standard hospital experience leaves much to be desired considering pregnancy, for most women, is a healthy and normal part of life. Pregnant women are not sick, yet they are often treated as patients, which is keenly felt by the laboring person.

We know from studies that simple routines like making your bed and brushing your teeth can boost your motivation for the day. Conversely, feeling unhygienic or disheveled can significantly impact your mental state. Labor and birth is one of the most challenging experiences a woman can face. It requires motivation, affirmations, and positive thinking to birth a baby, regardless of the method chosen. 

Why bring your own labor gown?

We can compare women in labor to athletes engaging in an activity that is physically and mentally demanding. We wouldn't expect a marathon runner to wear uncomfortable, itchy, and revealing clothes while running a marathon, so why do we expect women to do the same during labor?

A birth gown provides the privacy that laboring women deserve. Patients, after all, have a right to at least a semblance of privacy. A birth gown can also be less irritating to the skin and more comfortable.

During labor, sensations change, and materials can feel more uncomfortable than usual. Feeling uncomfortable and annoyed by a poorly fitting maternity hospital gown can discourage someone during labor. This is why many women rip the hospital gown off their bodies early in the process. 

While some may feel comfortable not wearing clothes during labor, this decision is often forced by the lack of desirable options. A birthing gown can reduce the sense of vulnerability, increase confidence, and thus lead to a better birth experience. Studies have shown a positive relationship between confidence and an increased likelihood of meeting pain management goals. The environment and clothing worn can affect pain perception, mental state, and the effectiveness of contractions during labor. 

What the science says

A study published in The Lancet last year surveyed 928 adult patients and conducted structured interviews with 10 patients regarding their experiences with hospital gowns. Over half (58%) reported wearing the gown despite feeling uncertain about its medical necessity. The gown design was deemed inadequate, with 61% struggling to put it on or requiring assistance and 67% reporting it didn't fit. Most worryingly, 72% felt exposed, 60% felt self-conscious, and 57% felt uncomfortable wearing the gown. 

Why the Lila Labor and Delivery Gown?

Many people believe that hospitals give patients gowns for a good reason. In reality, the reason often comes down to cost. Alternative designs of hospital birth gowns, like the Lila Labor & Postpartum Gown, designed by a labor and delivery nurse, are more accessible, private, and comfortable than standard hospital gowns.

Accessibility and cleanliness are not an issue with the Lila Gown. Hospital gowns are at best clean, and at worst, stained with bodily fluids. By bringing a maternity gown from home, you can guarantee it is clean.

There is no legitimate reason why a hospital should stop you from wearing a birth gown during a normal labor or birth experience, and the vast majority won’t. Most nurses actually appreciate when their patients come in wearing something more accessible, comfortable, and private. 

Choose something that will make you feel beautiful and powerful, there are more options than the standard hospital gown.