The Best Labor and Delivery Gowns to Pack in Your Hospital Bag

If pregnancy pains have you up and scrolling through TikTok at night, then chances are you’ve seen the Lila Labor & Postpartum gown — and the thousands of positive reviews it's garnered. Created by Caitlyn Schollmeier, a mom of two and doula, the Lila maternity gown’s accessibility is truly one-of-a-kind. 

The Lila labor and delivery gown has a low cut back rather than closures, making it easy for your doctor to insert the epidural initially, and also to administer medication when needed throughout labor. And unlike most maternity gowns, the Lila gown has an opening at the belly so doctors can easily attach any fetal monitoring devices. Plus, you can string the cords through the opening rather than have them dangling beneath your gown. Finally, the gown’s V-neck design makes it easy to pull material to the side should you decide to breastfeed. 

But accessibility isn’t the only thing moms-to-be love about the Lila gown. TikTok reviewers rave about the soft, butter-like fabric and the two inside ties that ensure the gown stays closed. It’s also extremely size inclusive, with petite, standard, full figure and curve sizing, though lacking a bit when it comes to color options.

Bonus: You can get a matching swaddle for your newborn, making for some pretty great photo opportunities. If you use the code GOWNSET10 at checkout, you can get 50 percent off the swaddle. 

Although many maternity gowns are available in plus-size, most don’t go beyond 1X. But Latch Mama’s labor dress has a variety of sizes — XS to 4X. The dress also has the traditional shoulder snaps but with an added feature: A small strap that keeps the shoulder straps “connected” so they are easier to snap back together when you’re done breastfeeding or doing skin-to-skin. There’s also a petal front opening to better accommodate monitors and the man cords that come with them. 

Moms in the What to Expect community rave about the comfort of the dress, with several saying they wore it for the first few weeks postpartum. Given the slightly higher price tag, it’s helpful to know there is some longevity to the gown. 

Kindred Bravely clothes are adored for their comfort and functionality, and this gown is no exception. Unlike most maternity gowns, Kindred Bravely’s Universal Labor and Delivery Gown has full-length Velcro enclosures on the back and front, a helpful feature if you’re recovering from a C-section. 

There are snaps on both shoulders for easy nursing once a baby's born and super convenient front pockets that help you keep necessities like lip balm and your phone close at hand.

Available in standard and plus-size options, Kindred Bravely’s labor and delivery gown is super soft and hangs just so for a comfortable fit and feel. 

If you’ve been running particularly hot during your pregnancy, this labor and delivery gown from Motherhood Maternity may be the perfect choice. Made of a cotton-modal blend, the fabric is super comfortable but not super thick so you won’t feel like the dress is suffocating you. 

Meanwhile, the thick straps have snaps at the shoulder to aid in nursing and skin-to-skin time. You can also keep the straps together and simply push the fabric to the side; whatever is easiest. 

Best of all, this hospital gown looks more like a cotton dress than a medical necessity, thanks in part to the empire waist seam that gives it a bit more structure.

Giving birth in the winter months? You may want to consider this long sleeve maternity gown from Ekouaer. In addition to the full arm coverage, the gown is a rayon-spandex blend, so it’ll keep you warm while remaining breathable. 

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. 

The gown is available in 12 colors, so you’re sure to find one that suits your style — and matches your baby’s “welcome to the world” outfit. It also comes in a range of sizes, though many moms say it runs big so you may want to consider sizing down. 

I was given the FridaMom’s Labor + Delivery and Postpartum Kit, which includes this delivery and nursing gown. At first glance, it seemed quite basic; I wasn’t sure it would be as useful as some of the more elaborate maternity gowns I’d seen. But after trying it on — and then wearing it through a full day of labor and delivery — I can say this simple gown has a lot of helpful features that make it a great labor and delivery gown. 

Even during pregnancy, I ran cold. Add that to the fact that I gave birth in February, and I was wearing a cardigan for the majority of my labor. The side enclosures made it so the doctors could easily access my chest area without me having to take off that extra layer. When my daughter finally made her way to the world, as exhausted as I was, I easily unhooked the snaps so we could have that first skin-to-skin moment. The side enclosures came in handy for nursing too: I only had to unhook a few of them, so the gown stayed connected and I didn’t have to worry about trying to find and secure two pieces of fabric. (Not a huge issue, but definitely an annoyance.) 

Aside from the enclosures, the FridaMom gown is made of viscose, a soft fabric that absorbs sweat so you feel slightly fresher than you would in other materials. I sweat a lot during labor despite being cold, so this feature was greatly appreciated. That said, some moms said that the gown felt hot. 

My only complaint is that the gown is a “one size fits all,” so I felt like I was drowning in fabric at times. 

A lot of maternity gowns wear like oversized t-shirts, especially once you’ve delivered your baby and your belly has deflated to some degree. Though you’ll still want a roomy dress, you may also want to wear something a little more fitted after baby is born. That’s why many What to Expect community members love the Baby Be Mine 3-in-1 hospital gown. The comfortable dress has an empire waistline that can be tightened or loosened with the pull of a thread. 

The gown also has a discreet front flap to accommodate various monitors and provide easier access for any post-C-section care. When you’re ready for skin-to-skin time, you can simply pull down the elastic neckline for immediate contact. This could also work for breastfeeding, though you can just as easily unsnap the shoulders. 

A few downsides worth noting: The dress tends to run big, so some moms felt like they were swimming in fabric. And although it’s made of cotton, many found the material to be quite heavy which led to a bit of discomfort. 

Blood. Sweat. Tears. Amniotic fluid. These are some of the things that will wind up on your labor and delivery dress, so you’re wise to bring a change of clothes for the rest of your hospital stay. My postpartum outfit of choice: the Stars Above nightgown. 

My friends had been praising these pajamas for several months before I finally bought a pair during my second trimester. And after wearing them for one night, I proceeded to buy five more pairs. Made of a modal and spandex, these pajamas were not only super soft but had enough of a stretch to accommodate my ever growing belly. I was actually wearing the long sleeve and pants set when my water broke. Good thing I bought all those extra pairs, right?

Once I had my post-delivery shower, I slipped into the Stars Above nightgown and felt an instant jolt of comfort. Later, when it was time to breastfeed my daughter, all I had to do was unfasten a few buttons. My daughter also found the pajamas comforting, nestling against the fabric as she nursed. (I’m sure that’s just a newborn thing, but I do think the pajamas played a part.) 

Remember, there aren’t any back enclosures on this nightgown so it shouldn’t be worn during labor and delivery. That said, it makes for an excellent postpartum outfit that will make you feel like you’re at a five-star hotel rather than a hospital bed. 

A robe is a great addition to your hospital bag: It can serve as another layer in a cold room, elevate your look for newborn photos or just make you feel a little more at home. This maternity robe from Baby Be Mine has bell sleeves, an easy-open front with a tie and comes in a number of patterns that are sure to brighten up even the dreariest of hospital rooms. Dress up your comfy evenings at home pre-baby or wear it at the hospital after you deliver your little one. As an added bonus, because of the cotton and spandex construction, it’s entirely wrinkle-resistant — perfect when you’re shoving it in a small hospital bag at the last minute.