i am all for looking/feeling your best while at the hospital for a birth, but instead of spending all that money on something you wont wear that much (wouldnt you rather spend it on the new baby?), try to make your own if you are good with a sewing machine. that way you are just spending money on a fun fabric that you love. either that or hint to a friend or loved one who can sew to make you one. i am even thinking something that looks as simply sewn as the Dear Johnnies would be inexpensive for a professional to make for you. much less than $70.

“However, as a feminist, the idea that there’s pressure on women to look good, even while giving birth, irks me.”

How is there pressure. No one is saying a woman should wear that. It’s merely for those people who choose to wear it. And it’s not necessarily about just looking good, but feeling good. Hospital gowns are generally not comfortable, and so impersonal. It bothers me that people are stripped of their identities when they go into a hospital, and I say anything that helps them to get that back is a good thing.

“no one cares what you are wearing in your birthing pictures”

Sometimes the woman herself cares, and if she does then that’s reason enough to wear something that makes her feel better. Just because a woman becomes a mother does not mean she should have to sacrifice herself on the altar of motherhood, and I think that’s what women are expected to do when they’re shamed for wanting to look good while or after their baby is born. Becoming a mother does not mean a person should be shamed into giving up on being a person and caring about things like their own comfort or their own appearance. We’re multi-functional human beings and perfectly capable of caring about our babies and about ourselves at the same time.

Well, since we’re not allowed to take pictures in the delivery room I really don’t care what I wear (I have more important things on my mind while going through my natural labors than what my dress looks like, lol).
And for after the birth and pictures in my room (as well as the three day hospital stay) I (as well as everyone else) bring our own nightgowns and sweats.

I can’t decide. I hate hospital gowns with a passion, having been in the hospital a few times. I usually do wear two gowns, one in front, one in the back, with a pair of PJ shorts (Jockey knit ones are the best) underneath. But that won’t work or giving birth. I like the idea of the Dear Johnnies–the ones that look like dresses are a bit much. However, as a feminist, the idea that there’s pressure on women to look good, even while giving birth, irks me. lso, they’re not cheap. If I had been given one, or it were $25, I’d probably buy one of the Dear Johnnies. But I’ve got better things to do with my money. I think I’ll bring a nice nightgown or robe to the hospital for after the birth.

We ordered a BYOG for my sister in law. My Grandmother, who’s been a seamstress for 55 years looked at it, and made 7 that looked exactly like it, but in prettier fabrics.

Of course, most people probably couldn’t do that….not counting the actual BYOG we bought, we spent 70 on fabrics, ribbon and closures. So that wasn’t a bad deal, and my sister in law truly loved them.

Hospital gowns do not make a fashion statement, but this sure does. I’ve been some photos of women wearing tank tops — not the gown. I had c-sections (both emergency) so I don’t know how this dress would do with a c-section.

I gave birth to my daughter, Iris, two months ago. My entire family was there. My parents, sister and her husband and all of my husbands family. They all happened to get pictures of me during my labor. The experience was memorable but the photos…not so much. I looked horrible in the hospital gown I wore. All though we probaby don’t like it, us mothers know that it is a very big photo opt. for others. When I have more children, I think it would be worth it to be wearing a stylish maternity gown.

Marla, I so agree with you!

I had kinda messy births with both of my daughters. I delivered in the hospital gown, but thought that I looked radiant in all my pictures. How could I not, I was brining a life into this world!

After I took a shower (which was while the baby was in the nursery getting cleaned up), I put on a brand new gown and just hiked it up while in the bed.

But, to each their own.

what a stupid idea, i already have about 6 empire waisted dresses from this pregnancy (I’m due now) and I could easily just wear one of these!