Easy to Make Labor and Delivery Gown Pattern

We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

As you prepare for childbirth, an important item that may be missing from the hospital packing lists is the garment you'll be wearing during birth: a labor and delivery gown. While your birthing center, hospital, or medical facility will supply you with a labor and delivery gown, bringing one of your own is a small luxury that you may enjoy. When choosing a gown for labor and delivery, consider the overall comfort and practicality of the garment.

"Choosing a natural fiber such as cotton and something with a little color can always help brighten the mood," Jennifer Lombardi, a certified postpartum doula, tells Verywell Family. "Make sure that it's designed to be functional during your hospital stay. Most labor and delivery gowns are now made specifically for functions like [an] epidural, baby monitoring, IV with snaps in the front and back, and open access to your arms." Flaps in the front of the gown may also be convenient if you're planning to breastfeed after birth.

To find the best labor and delivery gowns, we spoke to a certified postpartum doula, and considered user reviews and our own colleagues' reviews. We looked at functionality, versatility, affordability, style, and comfort to provide a range of options for expecting parents' needs.

Based on our reviews, these are the best labor and delivery gowns on the market today.

Source: Baby Be Mine

Pros

• Affordable

• 100 percent cotton

• Multiple access areas

Cons

• No pockets

• Limited to two sizes

Because of its comfortable fabric and simple, accessible design, our top pick is a favorite of Lombardi, as well as moms at Verywell Family. "It's 100 percent cotton, which in my opinion is super beneficial," Lombardi says. "[It has] less chance of being uncomfortable and itchy."

The gown has shoulder snaps for easy access for skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding, and back snaps for epidural access. Even with all these openings, the Baby Be Mine still provides modest coverage, which is welcome if you're spending time in the hospital. The sleeveless gown is simple and stylish, with an adjustable empire waistline. It comes in over 30 colors and prints, including florals, stripes, and basic black.

Size range: S/M (2-12)–L/XL (12-22) | Material: 100% cotton jersey knit | Washing instructions: Machine washable

 Courtesy of Nordstrom

Pros

• Coordinated set

• Six sizes
  

• Includes useful robe

Cons

• No pockets

• No back access

A thoughtful gift for a mom-to-be or a sweet way to coordinate with your new bundle of joy, this three-piece set includes a maternity nursing dress, a cozy robe, and a baby blanket. The dress and blanket are navy-and-white striped, and the robe is navy with a white crocheted trim. We love that the tank straps and button plackets provide easy access for breastfeeding and are stylish to boot.

There isn't easy back access, so that may be an issue for certain birthing centers or hospitals if you're getting an epidural. But no matter what you end up wearing when the baby arrives, a cozy robe can instantly provide more coverage (and style) to a hospital-issued gown.

Size range: XS–XXL | Material: Rayon/elastane blend | Washing instructions: Machine washable

Source: Motherhood Maternity

Pros

• Unique access points

• Pockets

Convenient and comfortable, this option has stylish versatility (and pockets!) for various labor and delivery needs. We appreciate the front, shoulder, and back snaps, as well as the discreet side slits at the waist that allow for IV access to your midsection.

Even with all these functional access points, the gown is still modest. The fabric is super soft and feels just as comfortable to use during those first few postpartum days (or weeks) when you're adjusting to life with a baby at home.

Size range: XS–XL | Material: Cotton/modal/spandex blend | Washing instructions: Machine washable

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

• Modest coverage

• Silky fabric

Cons

• Doesn't fully open for skin-to-skin contact

This silky rayon-blend gown is designed like a big nightdress with snaps at the back and across both sides of the chest for discreet breastfeeding access. Depending on your body type and needs, the skin-to-skin access that this gown provides may not be enough. If that is the case, you can wear it backward for a better fit when the baby arrives. We chose this one as the most comfortable gown on our list because of the soft fabric. With 18 print options, including a standout leopard print, this choice lets you bring your style to the delivery room.

Size range: S–XXL | Material: Rayon/spandex blend | Washing instructions: Machine washable

Source: PinkBlush

Pros

• Inclusive sizing

• Three color options

Cons

• Hand wash recommended

Pregnant plus-size folks will appreciate the full coverage that this robe provides. This versatile robe is made for comfort and is perfect to wear over hospital-issued gowns or your own pajamas. Many experienced moms will recommend adding a robe to your hospital bag, so it's helpful to have one that fits well and looks great in those first few family photos. While you probably can't wear it during labor and delivery, you can slip it on before or after the baby arrives for cozy coverage. We want to note that it is hand wash only, so you may want to save this one for your post-delivery recovery.

Size range: 1X–3X | Material: Modal/spandex blend | Washing instructions: Hand wash

Source: Frida Mom

Pros

• Affordable

• Widely available

• Pockets

Cons

• One color

• One size fits most

Made of breathable viscose with a big, basic T-shirt style, this gown is full of thoughtful details for labor and delivery. While it's not the most stylish pick on our list, it does have pockets as well as back snap closures and front snaps down to the waist.

Some people love that viscose is light and breathable, and others find it scratchy, so you'll have to decide for yourself. This is an affordable and widely available option you can add to a registry. Since it's one size fits most, this isn't going to be a fitted gown, so petite people may find it to be too big.

Size range: One size | Material: 100% breathable viscose | Washing instructions: Machine washable

Source: Kindred Bravely

Pros

• Velcro closure in the front and back

• Two pockets

Cons

• Polyester-based fabric blend

Designed like a giant T-shirt, this gown features short sleeves and hits longer than most, reaching down to mid-calf length. Both the front and back have Velcro closures that extend through the full length of both sides, so you won't be fiddling with hard-to-close snaps or ties.

We like that the inclusive sizing is based on size charts using belly bump measurements rather than pre-pregnancy sizing. The easy-access gown also has two side pockets, so you can hold your phone or other items. The polyester/cotton blend fabric is soft, but some people may find it less breathable than other options.

Size range: S/M/L, XL/XXL, 1X/2X | Material: Polyester/cotton blend | Washing instructions: Machine washable

Source: Magnetic Me

Pros

• Magnetic closures

• Soft modal fabric

• Can be worn during and post-pregnancy

Cons

• Long sleeves may be too warm

• Not designed for labor and delivery

Moms who know they want to breastfeed their baby may enjoy bringing this nightgown that features ingenious magnetic fasteners to the hospital with them for their first feedings with their new babies. The smartly designed closures eliminate the middle of the night fumbling to close up your nightgown.

While wearable in the hospital or birthing center, this option is probably not appropriate for labor and delivery. The sleeves and limited access may be too restrictive for medical purposes, but keep this pick in your hospital bag as a cozy option once the baby arrives. Choose between long sleeve and short sleeve options.

Size range: S–XL | Material: 100% modal from beechnut trees | Washing instructions: Machine washable

Final Verdict

Choosing a labor and delivery gown is a personal decision. If you're going to buy one ahead of time, know that all babies have their own plans, and you may need to adjust your expectations based on your baby's reality. We love the Baby Be Mine 3-in-1 Gown for its affordability, versatility, and lots of pattern and color options. If you want something that has a more luxe feel and prepares you and your baby for impromptu (or planned) photos, the Angel Maternity Nursing Dress, Robe and Baby Blanket Set is a wonderful choice and smart to add to a baby registry.

How We Selected

When picking products for this list, we considered advice from doula Jennifer Lombardi, user reviews, and our own colleagues' reviews. We looked at versatility, affordability, quality, style, and positive product reviews to provide a range of options for expecting parents' needs.

What to Look For in Gowns for Labor and Delivery

Fabric

Just like when you purchase a regular dress, you'll want to consider the material your labor gown is made of. Many people prefer cotton as it's strong, absorbent, breathable, and easy to wash. However, many hospital gowns are made from synthetic materials like rayon, which is strong, absorbent, and soft. The downside of rayon is that it isn't as breathable, so it can get clammy if you're sweating a lot.

Openings

There's a reason you can't wear any old nightgown to the hospital—nurses and doctors need easy access to your back, arms, and chest to measure vitals, give medications, and the like. When shopping for a labor and delivery gown, you'll want to think about whether it has a back closure, as this allows medical staff to give you an epidural if needed and flaps that will allow you to breastfeed after your baby is born.

Reuse

If you want to use your gown for more than just your delivery, think about whether it can be washed, if it's adjustable, and whether it's a hospital style-gown or more like a normal dress or nightgown.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What do I wear during labor and delivery?

  If you're delivering at a hospital, you'll be provided with a hospital gown. If you'd prefer to wear your own clothing, your outfit should be loose-fitting and serve the same function as a hospital gown; it should give doctors and nurses access to your lower body, back, arms, and chest (which also makes breastfeeding your baby and skin-to-skin more convenient).

• Can I wear my own maternity gown in labor?

  Depending on where you give birth and your facility's policies, you may be able to wear your own maternity gown during labor. Call your birthing center or hospital, or ask your doctor to confirm. Just be aware that giving birth can be messy; you may soil your clothes during labor, so pack a fresh set for after delivery.

• Do I wear a bra under a delivery gown?

  Many birthing centers and hospitals will allow you to wear a wireless bra during labor if it makes you feel more comfortable. Some women prefer not to wear a bra since it means easier access for skin-to-skin and breastfeeding post-delivery.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She's also the mom of an 11-year-old son, 8-year-old son, and 4-year old daughter. Maya's first son was born in the back of a moving taxi that was in the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. She had no time for her own labor and delivery gown and was wearing an old sweatshirt and pajama pants when he was born. For her other two kids, she gave up on the old sweatshirt and wore hospital-issued gowns.

lunsfordconand1977.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.verywellfamily.com/best-gowns-for-labor-and-delivery-4158000

Share this post