Lab Rat Series 2: Womama Birthing Wrap Dress

37 weeks pregnant

In 2010 whilst pregnant with my second child (aka the new kid, Mr B) I was asked to trial the new Organic Cotton Birthing Wrap Dress from Womama, a local company who make practical and beautiful (reeeeally beautiful) maternity lingerie and clothing.  The BWD is designed for wearing in pregnancy, birth and during nursing, and I loved it. (Check out the link here.)

I chose a black BWD (a LBBWD if you please!) in a size small – I usually wear a size 10-12 when I’m not pregnant and although I thought a medium would be a better fit, it was too loose across the shoulders and bust.  I wore it for the last few weeks of my pregnancy teamed with a singlet and short leggings underneath (not to mention the pelvis and back supports!) and a cardigan for colder days.  Not to mention my favourite pair of pretty Havaiana jandals.  Living in one of the windiest cities in the world, I was relieved that although light and breathable, the superb quality organic cotton was a heavy enough knit to stay down and not blow up to flash my (legging-clad) thighs whilst waddling around with a toddler in tow.  The crossover design kept my bump nice and cosy warm, and even though it was a size small there was plenty of material to completely double over my 41-week pregnant belly.  The ties on the inside and outside of the dress are generous in length, and they have the added benefit if giving a bit of separation between breasts and belly – compared to some dresses I wore which literally looked like sacks once they were stretched over everything!

Not only did I feel great wearing it, but I had plenty of compliments on the dress, and how flattering it looked... and how non-maternity-wear it looked too.  I was only too happy to pass on where I got it from - a great Wellington local business!

(Also… late in my pregnancy one of my friends thought it might be fun for a group of us to check out a pole-dancing fitness classs.  Just for fun.  I went along and yes, the LBBWD was mighty comfortable to wear for the short time I participated in the pole-dancing class!  However at around 36 or 38 weeks pregnant (I forget which!) and with an achey breaky pelvis, there are just some things you can’t do when you’re pregnant.  Like climb poles.  And swing around them.  And whip your hair, whilst swinging around a pole.) 

In hospital, in labour, with wireless transponders on my belly.

The day I checked into the hospital Delivery Suite, in labour, I was wearing my trusty Womama Birthing Wrap Dress.  The birthing room is warm, so I only needed to wear that and my underwear and I was perfectly comfortable.  Due to my individual circumstances I had opted to be continually monitored, so the wireless transponders were strapped to my belly while I was standing up – and again, thanks to the crossover design I didn’t have to strip off or flash unnecessarily – and there was enough material to keep me covered.  Even if I had wired transponders I would still have been able to keep my modesty by feeding the wires through the crossover wrap dress.  I’m not a short person so occasionally when I was lying down on my side, I did feel a little exposed to whoever was at the foot of the bed when the dress rode up a little, but as I spent most of my labour on my feet it was no great issue.  My choice of pain control was acupressure so it was simple enough to have a birth support standing behind me with my back covered and not worry about a hospital gown gaping open.

One tired mama... and bubba!

(edited Nov 2011) Mr B's entrance into the world happened in a huge hurry; it was all so rushed I wasn’t changed out of my LBBWD into normal whitewash hospital attire, but the wrap dress gave the hospital team ready access to my big bump.  Again, thanks to the crossover design, I was able to access ‘the girls’ to give Mr B his first breastfeed with minimal effort and fuss. 

In the weeks after Mr B’s birth I wore the Womama BWD almost daily as it was comfortable, didn’t have any waistbands pressing near my sensitive belly, and made for easy access when back at hospital with post-birth complications.  It made for easy breastfeeding, and kept me comfortably cool over the summer months – and if we had company I could quickly pull on my leggings or maternity jeans to cover up my legs which hadn’t been shaved in wayyyy too long!

Initially I had felt that the RRP of the dress was a little steep.  However I got sooo much wear out of it, and after dozens of washes it is still black and not a faded browny-black colour, and still holds its shape beautifully!  I am happy to recommend that it is worth every dollar.  (and at the time of posting it's on special for a cool $89.95 - quick!  Go and buy one for yourself!  Or a baby shower combined gift!  Or whatever!) My friends are always offered my old maternity clothes to expand their pregnancy wardrobe but I’m afraid this is one item of clothing that I’m not parting with.  Sorry ladies!

Thank you to the lovely ladies at Womama, the dress was fabulous.  If there's ever any hint of a #3 baby I'll be buying one in blue I think...  haha!