daft questions - what to wear when in labour?

Well, I still have a ways to go before the big day but a wander through M&S's nightwear department got me thinking... what's the best thing to have packed to wear when in labour? I haven't worn a nightgown since I was a kid, it's usually pyjama tops and bottoms or sweat-type things. But obviously if I'm going to be walking around much, the top half of pyjamas will not suffice. Is it best to have something that buttons on top, too? Don't they encourage skin to skin contact as soon as possible? Can I get away with a big comfy long t-shirt?

A nightshirt long enough to cover your bottom half that unbuttons in front for breastfeeding/skin to skin contact.  A long enough tshirt will definitely suffice.  You'll want at least two - sorry if TMI, but the one you give birth in should be something you're not too attached to, IYSWIM. 

If you're planning a water birth, you can still wear a bikini top swim costume or tshirt if you so desire.

Another thing that some other ladies have pointed out is to make sure that if you go w/pj's, they are large enough to fit over the bump.  In case you need a c-section, you'd want something that doesn't rub up against the incision scar.

I found two lovely, long, front button nightshirts in Peacock's for about £3 each. 

Don't forget a dressing gown and slippers for walking your baby up and down the hall, and some shower shoes!

Do they not have hospital gowns available here?  With my first labor in the U.S., I just wore the hospital gown provided, as I knew it would get pretty messy.  I brought a couple of light cotten nightgowns (really baggy ones) and matching robe to wear after the birth.  I appreciated having loose nightgowns, because I ended up with a C-section and didn't want to wear anything with a waistband.  I'm also glad that I packed a maternity dress to wear home from the hospital for the same reason. 

Do they not have hospital gowns available here? 

At Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, you are expected to provide all your own clothing, including a garment to give birth in.  Ditto everything for the baby - babygro, nappies, wipes, etc.  All they provide are sheets, blankets and towels.  They will not bathe the baby, either.  You can do it in the bathroom sink there (bring something to clean the sink with if you wish to do this) or wait till you get home. 

No TV, either.  You have to buy a card for it, and it cost a mint!  Same goes for the phone.  I was scunnered b/c my family couldn't phone me at my bed - they could only get through to the nurses' station and then I'd be called over if I were awake.

There are also no 'amenity'/private rooms for hire.  They are on a first-come, first-served basis and usually allocated to women who have experienced complications during birth, have a fever or infection, or whose babies have to be placed in the NICU.  You can hire amenity rooms if you give birth at St. John's, but it's out in Livingston, so you'll need to have something put by for taxi fare if you don't have a car.

I'm hoping to be discharged directly from the delivery suite this time round, when this baby ever decides to come out . . .

Arghhh!   No hospital gowns?  Bathing the baby myself right after giving birth?  This is going to be a BIG change from giving birth in the U.S.....

When I was in labor I was in my nightgown ,then when I started having complications and had to get a c-section, ,they made me take it off and they put a hospital gown on me. Strange thing is I woke up one day with my nightgown back on me (all the morphine knocked me out )
 I ran out of sanitary towels while I was there because I didn't plan on staying for more then a day,so they provided those,same with the diapers (I had to stay there for 3 1/2 days I planned on staying no more then a day)
. As for batheing her, a nurse came in and gave her a bath infront of me,teaching me how to do it.
And same with expat, I had to pay for the tv and phone. Theres a machine there and I think you pay £3 for a card for the tv that last for 24hours,you can get another card for the phone and the internet. Once you use the card for the tv they automatically give you a phone number for your room for people to call you,but it costs a lot for them to call the number.
I had a private room,but thats because of the c-section (all the women on the ward hated me for having the room lol)

Arghhh!   No hospital gowns?  Bathing the baby myself right after giving birth?  This is going to be a BIG change from giving birth in the U.S.....

It may be different if you are planning a repeat c-section at ERI, but if you're having a vaginal birth, you'll need to bring your own gown, even if you are being induced.  Also at ERI, they don't provide sanitary towels, maternity knickers or nappies, so pack 'em!

At any rate, they won't bathe the baby, and you must bring everything you need for it - including hat, scratch mitts, socks, etc.  There are visiting hours, too, so even if you do by some miracle end up w/a private room, your partner cannot stay the night.  

And there's no well baby nursery, only a NICU.  My MIL and SIL brought cleansers with them and bathed Aillidh after she was born in the sink in the room.  I was too ill after a long labour and assisted delivery.  I did get a private room b/c I had childbed fever.

I'd much rather be at home, where there is only one crying baby and support to hand - the ILs are taking Aillidh to their house, and if I go after the 20th my mom and dad will be in town - I have my own clean bathroom and kitchen with good food, a husband and mommy to help out  , etc.  

My midwife does homebirths, but b/c I had a forceps delivery last time, it's recommended I go into hospital.  Otherwise, I'd glady birth at home.  

Bring snacks to eat during labour!  There's nothing given to eat besides at mealtimes.

*oh, and I've known several women who had c-sections there and were placed in a non-private room.  Asked the midwife about it, and that's when she explained that the private rooms are allocated first priority for women whose babies are in NICU or who have lost their babies, then women w/infections or infectious diseases, then women who have had complicated deliveries.

Bring snacks to eat during labour!  There's nothing given to eat besides at mealtimes.

I agree.
I brung a bunch of crackers,soda,bottled water,  and my MIL brung me a bunch of choccy bars and crisps.
The hospital food was so yucky anyway. One thing that did bother me however is even after my c-section they still made me get up and walk around the ward to get my food, I was in too much pain to even sit up so in the end I couldn't be bothered to get it most of the time , so I just ate my food I brung.

You're not supposed to use mobiles in there, but a recent report in The Scotsman revealed that it's cheaper to phone Australia than use the phones in the rooms there, so nearly everyone brings a mobile in and uses it to text the news.  My DH has everyone set up on a list so the text goes out to everyone once the baby's here.

Like EY, I hadn't planned to stay more than a day, either, so DH had to bring up some supplies.  

The food was gross, too.  Mine was MUCH better!  I'd made up some snacks and goodies, as I'm doing now.  Also borrowed the ILs' travel, battery operated kettle for my own cuppa when I wanted it.   

Oh, bring some Solpadeine Max or codeine with you, too.  Just have your husband buy it if you're bump is too big for them to sell it to you. 

They'll give it to you, but you have to ring and wait for them to show up.  Easier to just have a stash to hand.
 

Filing away all these tips for future reference! All our family is either in the US or the north of England. If I have a scheduled ceasarean (which is possible given my low platelet count) Mom can arrange her visit accordingly, but otherwise, we are likely to be on our own.

Also, ask your midwife/doctor about what to bring, what to wear, etc. Most hospitals have a prepared list for expectant mothers of what is recommended, and how things work. It sounds like hospitals vary from region to region so it's a good idea to check with your own hospital to see what you'll need, as well as taking the advice from here on board.

A couple things that are good to keep in mind. It's better to overpack than underpack in this situation. In addition to the suggestions already made (extra sanitary towels, baby things, snacks), bring your own shampoo and soap. Most pregnancy books have good checklists as well, both for you and the baby, but do ask if your maternity hospital has any leaflets or literature.

Good luck 

 My DH has everyone set up on a list so the text goes out to everyone once the baby's here.

Hope he's got my number in his list! 

Hope he's got my number in his list! 

Oh aye!     Knowing Andrew, it'll go something like 'It's a wee girl/boy' and that's it.  Typical bloke.

that's all the info i need! 

I wore a t-shirt of James' that was special to us.     We still have it, so I wouldn't worry too much.  Body fluids tend to come out in the wash.     

Personally, I'd rather buy my own stuff than be charged a million dollars for a nappy.   But that's just me.  Plus it gives you something to focus on the last few weeks.