When I was packing my hospital bag for labor, I remember throwing in an outfit to take my little girl home in, a phone charger, and my favorite comfy adjustable waist pants for recovery —but I didn’t give a second thought to what I’d be wearing during one of the biggest moments of my life.

Like most people, I figured the hospital would provide a (or may even require their) patient gown and that would be that. And they did. But that gown? It was stiff, oversized, paper-thin, and gaped open in the back. I spent most of my labor trying to stay covered and comfortable—and failing.  Turns out, most hospitals will allow your own hospital gown for labor as long as it meets certain criteria, like easy access to your body for monitoring during labor, epidurals, and IVs.

So, if you’re expecting a baby and wondering whether bringing your own hospital gown is worth it, here’s my answer: absolutely, yes. A thoughtfully designed labor and delivery gown is one of the most underrated things you can pack. And after talking with doulas, nurses, and other moms (and trying several myself), I’ve pulled together this list of the best hospital gowns for labor and delivery—and what really makes a difference.

Why Your Own Labor Gown Can Make a Big Impact

You’re going to spend hours (maybe days!) laboring, moving around, getting checked, and eventually meeting your baby. The hospital gown you’re given isn’t designed for comfort or privacy—it’s designed for efficiency. That’s it.

No, really. There have been many great advancements for women over the last several decades - women went from corsets to bras, sanitary napkins to tampons and we ditched the men’s razor for ones that better serve the needs of women. You know what hasn’t been re-invented? The hospital gown!! It was invented by Ellen Dougherty in 1910 and designed for bedpan use. That’s right…the universal hospital, one-size-fits-all gown has not been reinvented in more than 100 years! Nor, has there been serious, scalable, commercial thought put into a patient's cycle of care and recovery until now.

By bringing your own labor gown, you’re giving yourself a layer of comfort, dignity, and ease that actually matters. Here’s what a good labor gown should do:

• Keep you covered without restricting movement
  

• Open easily for fetal monitoring, epidurals, and IVs
  

• Allow skin-to-skin and breastfeeding immediately after birth
  

• Feel soft and breathable (because you’ll be sweating, shaking, and everything in between)
  

• Make you feel like you, not just a patient

If you’re someone who feels better when you’re comfortable and a little more in control of your space—this one’s for you.

What to Look For in a Labor & Delivery Gown

Here’s what I tell my friends to look for when shopping:

• Shoulder snaps for easy IV access + nursing access postpartum
  

• Roomy fit with flexibility for movement
  

• No itchy tags or seams on pressure points
  

• Soft fabrics that can handle sweat, blood, and leaks
  

• Coverage in the back (especially for walking the halls)
  

You don’t need bells and whistles—you just need something thoughtfully designed for the chaos and beauty of birth.

My Top Labor and Delivery Gown Recommendations

These are the gowns I’ve either worn myself or recommended to friends (who ended up texting me postpartum saying, “Thank you for telling me about this!”). I’m breaking them down by what they’re best for, so you can find one that fits your style and needs.

1. KickIt Labor and Delivery Gown — Best All-Around Gown

Why I Love It: This is hands-down my top pick. KickIt’s Hospital Gown is designed with laboring moms in mind: soft, stretchy fabric, front wrap design, full snap on both sleeves, and plenty of room for monitors, IVs, or even C-sections. But most importantly—it doesn’t look like a hospital gown. It looks like a cozy robe, and it feels like something you'd wear at home.

Standout Features:

• Full medical access without losing coverage

• Front wrap design for easy breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact

• Soft enough to sleep in postpartum and moisture-wicking for those hormonal nightsweats after delivery

• Washes beautifully. All the stains of childbirth came clean in one wash!
  

2. Gownies Maternity Gown — Most Fun Prints

Why I Recommend It:  If you’re the kind of person who finds joy in cute prints and bright colors (and needs something to lift your spirits between contractions), Gownies is perfect. It’s also one of the most widely recommended gowns by labor nurses because it checks all the boxes for hospital compatibility.

Standout Features:

• Full back snaps for epidural access
  

• Front snaps for skin-to-skin and breastfeeding
  

• Matching newborn sets available (yes, the first photo op matters!)
  

3. Frida Mom Labor and Delivery Gown — Most Economical 

Why I Recommend It: This Frida Mom Gown is at a great price and is great if you’re more of a comfy t-shirt person who wants something simple and functional. 

Standout Features:

• Full back closure for modesty
  

• Fold down front panels for skin-to-skin and nursing access
  

• Jersey material for softness
  

4. Kindred Bravely — Who Doesn’t Love Ruffles?

Why I Recommend It: Kindred Bravely makes a super cute labor gown that is perfect for first photos with your new loved one.

Standout Features:

• Front opening allows for fetal monitoring, ultrasounds, c-section incision inspections
  

• Velcro in the back for easy epidural placement
  

• No uncomfortable, hard-to-tie strings down the back
  

5. Get Janes Patient Robe — Best Minimalist Gown

Why I Recommend It: If you want something simple, no-fuss, and clean-looking, GetJanes is great. It’s a wrap-style gown that prioritizes full coverage and flexibility. It doesn’t have all the snaps and bells, but it’s cozy, functional, and easy to get on and off.

Standout Features:

• Full back coverage
  

• Lightweight and breathable
  

• Great for someone who doesn’t want to overthink it, but still wants to avoid the standard hospital-issued gown.

6. Storq Feel Good Delivery Robe

Why I Recommend It: Storq’s Feel Good Delivery Robe is great for postpartum, with its longer cut designed for bodies in transition from pregnancy to postpartum.  

Standout Features:

• Soft and stretchy fabric
  

• Lightweight and breathable
  

• Easy access for nursing 

Don’t Forget Postpartum Pajamas

Once the baby is born, you might want to change out of your delivery gown into something even cozier. You may have a c-section recovery to take into consideration. I’m a big fan of soft, accessible pajamas with a stretchy waistband and easy breastfeeding access.

A few I love:

• KickIt Postpartum Pajamas: Adjustable, no-elastic waistband, easy breastfeeding access and flattering fit (even when you don’t feel your best).
  

• Kindred Bravely Clea Nursing Pajamas: A wrap top and wide-leg pants that make you feel like a human again.
  

• Gownies Recovery Pajamas: Roomy, soft, and perfect for those early days of constant baby snuggles and cluster feeding.
  
  

You might not be able to control how long labor lasts, what kind of birth you’ll have, or what your baby’s birthday ends up looking like—but you can choose how you feel in your own skin. And trust me, feeling a little more covered, a little more comfortable, and a little more like you makes all the difference.

Bring the robe that feels like home. Choose the gown that lets you focus on the moment, not on tugging it closed. You deserve to feel good walking into the biggest experience of your life.

And if you’re packing your bag now—add that extra gown. Future you will thank you.