Nursing Gown at Virginia Hospital Center

[Anonymous]

I'm delivering at VHC and was wondering if they allow you to wear your own gown at the hospital vs. the standard hospital gown. Also, has anyone done this and felt it was worth it? Did you feel more comfortable? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I'd guess, like most hospitals, that they require you to wear their gown during delivery, but after you can put on whatever you like.

[Anonymous]

I took a gown with me and it turned out to be much less comfortable than the hospital gown. also, you will ruin anything you wear on the bottom/sit on, so it might be best just to use the hospital gowns. and, the nursng gowns that have slits or other ways of exposing your breasts do not expose enough skin for early nursing. you need to put the baby against your bare chest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I took a gown with me and it turned out to be much less comfortable than the hospital gown. also, you will ruin anything you wear on the bottom/sit on, so it might be best just to use the hospital gowns. and, the nursng gowns that have slits or other ways of exposing your breasts do not expose enough skin for early nursing. you need to put the baby against your bare chest.

I think this is a personal decision because my experience was very different from pp. When I delivered at VHC, I did wear the hospital gown for delivery but soon after I got to recovery and took a shower I went right into my own nursing pjs. I brought 2pairs with me and only wore 1 pair. I felt so much better to be in my soft nightgown than in the hosiptal gowns. I had no problem with staining my gown. I used the granny pads and big underwear they provide. I had no problem nursing my DD in my own nusing pj's. I also brought little onsies for my DD and again it just made me feel a little more at home while still in the hospital. The nurses kept commenting on how cute she was!

I'm a little type A and I think this made me feel a little more in control when in the hospital.

[Anonymous]

I wore the hospital gown, but brought my own bathrobe. I found the bathrobe handy for when I had visitors. I know you didn't ask this question-- but I would also recommend bringing an extra blanket from home. I don't know about other posters, but I delivered at VHC in October and my room was freezing. It might be because they had not yet switched over from A/C to heat... but, in any event, I was happy that my husband brought an old quilt from home to throw on the top of the hospital sheets and blankets. I also brought a water bottle, which I was very glad about-- at VHC, they only had these little styrofoam cups and I was SO thirsty after I delivered. I was happy to have a big water bottle next to the bed so that I did not have to keep refilling my cup.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the advice. I like the idea of wearing the hospital gown for delivery and then changing into a more comfortable nursing gown. Thanks!