A labor and delivery gown may not be a must-have, but it’s something you’ll be thrilled to have in your hospital bag — trust me. When you arrive at the hospital, the nurses will give you a paper thin, scratchy delivery gown that certainly does the job, though leaves you feeling completely exposed and not very cozy. But you don’t have to wear it if you bring another labor and delivery gown from home.
After several friends shared how much better they felt wearing their own maternity gown during birth, I knew I’d want one to provide even just the tiniest bit of coziness and comfort in a cold, unfamiliar setting. Like many moms-to-be, my skin was also feeling extra sensitive in the weeks leading up to my due date, and I worried that the hospital-provided gown would be made of materials that might make me feel itchy or give me hives — the last thing I’d want to deal with when giving birth.
In order to find the best labor and delivery gowns that will keep you comfortable and covered — but are still functional and birthing team-approved — I scoured the What to Expect Community message boards to make a list of maternity gowns with the most positive reviews. I’m a mom and parenting editor, so I also incorporated my experience testing a number of labor and delivery gowns.
Then, I edited the list of 20-plus labor and delivery gowns down by looking closely at their designs. Because a labor and delivery gown will be of no use if it isn’t practical for both you and your birth team, I made sure to focus on both comfort and accessibility. I looked for gowns made from materials that are warm but breathable, such as cotton, cotton-polyester blends or rayon, as well as those with a little stretch (to accommodate your bump during labor). Next, I prioritized features like snap or velcro closures along the back (important should you require an epidural) as well as snap or velcro closures on the shoulder (to make breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact easier).
I also considered price and the gown's overall value. Some moms will wear a labor and delivery gown once then never want to look at it again (very understandable!), so I made sure to select affordable options that you’d be OK using just once. For pricier picks, I looked for features that could justify a higher price tag, such as shoulder closures, pockets or a matching robe that would make the gown functional during the postpartum phase.
Based on this editing process as well as real-mom feedback, I narrowed our list of the best labor and delivery gowns down to eight that met the following criteria:
This short-sleeve maternity gown from Ekouaer Opens a new windowis affordable but so practical. In addition to the fuller arm coverage, the gown is a rayon-spandex blend, so it’ll keep you warm while remaining breathable, and has a nice amount of stretch.
Unlike other gowns that snap at the shoulders, the Ekoauer gown snaps along the armpit area, so you can still maintain some coverage (and warmth) while you nurse, though some moms note that the snaps themselves can feel cold against the skin. There are buttons down the front, plus deep pockets you can put lip balm or your phone in.
Original source of the Associated Press article: https://www.whattoexpect.com/maternity-products/pregnancy/best-labor-delivery-gowns
