Whether your due date is fast approaching or you're organising your hospital bag, you may want to consider wearing a birthing gown during labour. After all, the experience of birth can feel daunting, so making sure you're comfortable is important to try and make the experience a little bit easier.
From labour dresses to birthing shirts which can be unbuttoned, you'll want something that will give the midwives and doctors easy access when they're checking how dilated you are, as well as something you can open when it's time for skin-to-skin contact or breastfeeding the baby.
The best birthing gowns at a glance:
It will likely be the last piece of maternity clothing you'll wear before the baby comes along, so you may want to choose something that will last into the first weeks of newborn life, too.
Best birthing gown overall
©Seraphinewww.seraphine.com
With plenty of hidden features for labour, this gown Maternity Hospital Bag Birthing Gown from Seraphine is one of our favourite go-to options. There are side openings for any monitoring straps your birthing team may use, and there's also a popper at the back, which can be undone if you're having an epidural.
It's made from organic cotton, so it's soft against your skin and also breathable. If you're strolling the corridors during contractions, you can pop your phone or snacks in the pockets, too!
Pros
- 100% organic cotton
- Discreet side openings for fetal monitoring straps
- Popper back access for epidural
Cons
- Only sizes available are XS and S
| Material: | Organic cotton |
| Sizes: | XSmall, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large |
- Front poppers
- Side pockets
Best robe and swaddle set
Etsy www.etsy.com
Made from beautifully soft stretch cotton jersey, it’s designed to move with your growing bump and keep you feeling comfortable and calm. Whether you’re packing your hospital bag, nesting at home, or snuggling up with baby, this gown is perfect for those special early days.
It’s easy to wear, gentle on sensitive skin, and ideal for feeding and skin-to-skin moments. Comfort really is key when you’re bringing a little one into the world – and this gown has been made with that in mind.
They also offer gift wrapping, making it a lovely present for baby showers or a thoughtful treat for a new or expecting mum.
Pros
- Maternity robe and swaddle set for labor and delivery
Cons
- Returns & exchanges accepted
3.
MijaCulture Labour Maternity and Nursing Nightdress
Best birthing gown for breastfeeding
©AmazonAvailable in numerous patterns, this MijaCulture Labour Maternity and Nursing Nightdress is perfect for labour and beyond. Made from skin-friendly materials, it helps to wick away moisture and sweat, keeping you cool.
One reviewer found that it was really useful for immediate skin-to-skin and breastfeeding, as the deep neckline allows you to wrap the gown around the baby to cover both of you as you breastfeed.
Pros
- Will enable skin-to-skin contact
- Designed with extra room around the tummy
Cons
- Only sizes available are 8 - 18
| Material: | Cotton and elastane |
| Sizes: | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 |
- Side poppers near the chest area
- Short sleeves
- Extra tummy room
Best stylish birthing gown
silkandmorewww.etsy.com
The White Natural Birth Hospital Gown is made from comfortable cotton and comes in an array of beautiful colours and knee lengths. Reviewers found it helped them to 'feel glamorous in an unglamorous situation.'
It's lightweight and flowy, which also makes it ideal to wear in those early post-partum weeks. There's also an option to add buttons to the back if you're considering an epidural.
Pros
- Made from white floral 100% mulmul cotton
- Many colours to choose from: White, black, grey, silver, dark pink, light blue, mint, aqua, red and more
Cons
- Measured by height
| Material: | 100% mulmul cotton |
| Sizes: | 5"-5"3, 5"4-5"7, 5"8-5"6 |
- Multiple colourway options
- Belt-ties
- Ankle and knee-length designs
5.
HAPPY MAMA Women's Maternity Nursing Cut Out Nightshirt
Best for its skin to skin contact function
Amazon Shoulder snaps are the key feature on this Happy Mama Women's Maternity Nursing Nightshirt which makes it brilliant for feeds as well as that first time you get to hold your baby. One mum mentioned it was perfect for skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding.
She also found it comfortable to wear after a C-section. It's also a great thing to wear during medical examinations and check-ups, as it's lightweight and comfortable.
Pros
- Made in soft cotton with a relaxed boxy cut
- The simple button-down design is ideal for immediate skin to skin contact with your newborn
Cons
- Sizes available are 10-12 and 16-18
| Material: | Viscose and elastane |
| Sizes: | 8-10, 10-12, 14-16, 16-18, 18-20 |
- Colled collar
- Vast range of colours
- Shoulder snaps
6.
iClosam Women's Maternity Nightdress
The iClosam Women’s Maternity Nightdress is designed with comfort and practicality in mind, offering a range of sizes to suit every bump and shape. Whether you’re in the early stages of pregnancy or preparing for those precious postpartum nights, this nightdress promises a perfect fit that grows with you.
From soft, breathable fabric, the nightdress feels gentle against sensitive skin and keeps you cool and cosy throughout the night. Its stretchy material offers plenty of room for your changing body, ensuring you stay comfortable whether you’re sleeping, relaxing, or nursing.
With thoughtful design features and easy care instructions, the iClosam maternity nightdress is an ideal addition to your nighttime wardrobe. It’s a reliable, cosy companion for those all-important moments of rest and recovery.
Pros
- Made of 90% cotton and 10% polyester
- Crew neck button down design is elegant and stylish
Cons
- Machine wash only
Best birthing gown for its velcro closures
Universal Labor & Delivery GownThe Kindred Bravely Universal Labor and Delivery Gown is your ultimate companion for childbirth, blending practicality with style. Gone are the days of scratchy hospital gowns, this buttery-soft masterpiece ensures you feel cosy and confident as you welcome your little one into the world. Thoughtfully designed with easy-access snaps, it transitions effortlessly from labor to postpartum, making nursing and medical checks a breeze.
Its flattering empire waist and chic colours bring a touch of glamor to the delivery room, proving that comfort and cuteness can go hand-in-hand. Who says you can’t slay while bringing life into the world?
Pros
- Choose between two sizes: S-M-L fits baby bumps up to 45 inches and XL-XXL fits baby bumps 46-51 inches
- Soft fabric that feels just like your favorite worn-in T-shirt.
Cons
- One review said the Velcro stuck to other clothes in the wash damaging some of their work dresses
Do you have to wear a hospital gown?
Wondering what to wear during labour? When you're at the hospital, you can be offered a hospital birthing gown, but you don't have to accept it if you don't want to. Many people opt to wear it because they don't realise you can bring your own clothes, whilst for others, it's one less decision to make or thing to pack (plus you don't have to take it home or clean it either).
If you're having a C-section (planned or unplanned), you will have to wear a gown, but you can always bring your own clothes to sit around in before you go down to the theatre.
Things to consider when buying a birthing gown
Accessibility - This should go arm in arm with comfort when selecting a birthing gown. Contenders should include features such as buttons, poppers, Velcro, or zips so that medical staff can easily access the areas they need to when checking your dilation, putting in an epidural and feeling your bump. Once the baby arrives, you'll want to be ready for skin-on-skin bonding time or breastfeeding, so having these features will mean that you won't have to get changed or move too much.
Material - Just like maternity pyjamas, you will want to wear something snug. Jersey and cotton are two materials worth selecting for a labour dress. The former is super-stretchy, whilst the latter is nice and soft. Silk also works well as it is lightweight, but it won't absorb excess sweat.
Size - This is down to personal preference, but ideally, your gown should be loose-fitting, as tight clothing may be uncomfortable on your bump and restrictive, especially when you're trying to do skin-on-skin contact with your newborn.
Longevity - Aim to buy an option that can be used post-pregnancy as the loose fit and easy access will save plenty of time on those night feeds when you're half asleep and trying to breastfeed the baby. Even if you're not breastfeeding, a high-quality cotton number will keep you comfortable long after giving birth.
Maria Martin is Digital Group Editor for Yours.co.uk and Motherandbaby.com. She is a mum-of-two with a passion for helping women from all walks of life – from supporting breastfeeding mothers with expert advice to encouraging conversations about mental health. In her professional role, she has over 10 years' experience in the digital world, including editing articles, focussing on SEO, social media engagement, picture researching and video editing. .