8 Labor and Delivery Gowns Moms Say You’ll Be Glad You Packed

This short-sleeve maternity gown from Ekouaer is 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. 

The gown is available in 11 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.

If pregnancy pains have you up and scrolling through TikTok at night, then chances are you’ve seen the Lila Labor and 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 an 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 you might need. 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 (a stretchy rayon/spandex blend) and the two interior ties that ensure the gown stays closed. It’s also extremely size-inclusive, with petite, standard, full figure and curve sizing available.

Bonus: Lila also has children and baby clothes, so you can opt to add a matching swaddle for your newborn to your order, making for some pretty great photo opportunities. 

Tested by Karla Martin, mom of one and What to Expect's Senior Photo Manager: 

"I had PUPPS and dreaded those scratchy hospital gowns, so I treated myself to a Lila delivery gown. It was incredibly soft and helped keep my itchiness at bay. The nurses kept oohing and aahing over all its features, and it made everything (epidural, monitors, skin-to-skin, nursing) feel easy and seamless. Worth every penny."

Although many maternity gowns are available in plus sizes, most don’t go beyond 1X. So we love that Latch Mama's labor dresses are available in a wide range of sizes, from  XS to 4X. This stylish 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 snuggling your little one skin-to-skin. There’s also a petal front opening to better accommodate monitors and the cords that come with them. 

Moms in the What to Expect community rave about how comfortable this dress is, with several saying they wore it for the first few weeks postpartum. Given the slightly higher price tag, it’s helpful to know you can wear this gown for more than just one day.

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 eclosures 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 access once a baby's born, plus super convenient front pockets that hold necessities like lip balm and your phone.

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 Kindred Bravely may be the perfect choice. Made of a stretchy viscose-spandex blend, the fabric is super comfortable but not overly thick, so you won’t feel like the dress is suffocating you. 

Meanwhile, this gown has a number of helpful accessibility features, including snaps in the front (helpful for fetal monitoring or C-sections), Velcro closure on the back (for epidural access) and shoulder snaps on the ruffle straps to enable nursing or skin-to-skin. Best of all, this hospital gown looks more like a midi-length cotton dress than a medical necessity, thanks to the sweet ruffles and buttons in the front.

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 panels 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 accessibility features, 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 thought that the gown felt hot. 

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

Both during and after delivery, a nightgown or robe (or both) can offer coverage and comfort for moms. There are three-in-one benefits to this set from Avidlove, which provides you with both items for less than $50. Once you've welcomed baby, many postpartum moms say the soft set features a pull-down bust for convenient access when they need to nurse, pump, or get more skin-to-skin contact. 

Tested by Caroline Picard, mom of one and What to Expect's Deputy Editor:

"I panic-bought this gown and robe set at the end of my pregnancy when I realized I probably wouldn't want to wear PJ pants post-delivery, and I'm so glad I did. The gown and robe were so smooth and buttery soft that they felt like a real treat to put on after moving to the recovery ward. The gown was easy to breastfeed in, and I liked having the robe to throw on when family came to visit. I ended up wearing them a lot when I got home too!"

We're fans of Quince because they've disrupted the industry by removing retail markups and selling high-quality products at more approachable price points. If you're building your registry, this set from Quince has a few essentials you'll appreciate packing in your hospital bag: a nursing-friendly robe and gown with Henley-style buttons, stretchy postpartum briefs, and cozy cashmere socks. The robe, gown, and socks are made with a breathable blend of rayon from bamboo and spandex.