I think if you want to wear them, do but of the three mothers I've been with, all felt more comfortable with me when I was in normal clothes. It seems to make you more like the "medical professionals," which I wouldn't want.

I like big butts and I cannot lie....

I've been reading the recent posts and it is interesting to see the differning opinions and atmospheres at the hospitals across the country. I'm not into scrubs, don't want to look like staff. But I wont argue that they do look comfy and I certainly wouldn't wear them any other time, only for births. I'm fine w/those who do like to wear them, easy to get along with.
I'm a plain clothes type of doula, I have my name tag w/credentials on it. Plus in our small hospitals, the nurses are well aware that I'm the doula and not cousin Jane or Auntie Em.

:howling That's a funny song! Thx so much...now that song's gonna be in my head for the rest of the day!

I work for the client, not the health care system, so no scrubs.

I also absolutely hate the stiff fabric they're made from. One hospital I go to makes support people wear scrubs for c/secs so I've worn them in those situations.

I wear yoga pants, a decent tee and a sweater or jacket for warmth because I get *cold* in the middle of the night. I've never had anything that couldn't be washed. I'm a generously sized girl, so I get mine at plus size stores.

I started wearing a name tag to be taken more seriously at the hospital, and it works to differentiate me from family. But the feedback I've had from nurses is that doulas in scrubs come across as wannabees or like they're trying to pass themselves off as medical professionals.

i wear srub pants cause they move- really comfy- dry quickly and then i wear a logo tshirt- but i think each doula needs to decide what is comfy to her and what works for her.

I'm undecided. I use to have to wear scrubs when I was in school, and I hated them, and the xsmall were too big. I've never seen a Doula in scrubs, I think the nurses would get confused on who they were.

scrub bottoms for the pockets, and an embroidered top for recognition; avoiding the colors of the local hospital floor to avoid confusion as medical personell. All great posts. I too keep them seperate from daily clothes, especially with all the contageous things that can cling to clothing. I like the idea of keeping them in the bag and changing once at the birth to avoid bringing in my daily germs.
Also, many of them are liquid repellant - which may come in handy when the bag breaks or the mama vomits, or the hot chocolate spills!!!

I voted "Yes whole set" not because I wear them - but because I don't see any problem with wearing them if you personally feel comfortable in them (and your client is comfortable too). For me its a functionality thing - they're durable and easy to keep clean. My first birth was a water birth with a moderate hemmorage. Getting Mom out of the tub and getting the bleeding under control was a bit messy, and since then I've been really conscious of at least keeping the bottom half of my outfit a very low maintainence fabric. Scrubs might not be what I would reach for, but they definitely fit the bill.

Since I last participated in this thread, I dropped a nice amount of money on clearance scrub pants and I rarely wear anything other than my cargo pocket scrub pants with the drawstring waist. Literally every day I wear one pair or another. For out and about I wear them with a regular shirt. They're ultra comfy, stain resistant and don't wrinkle!

At the advice of one of the more experienced doulas in town I wear scrub bottoms with a polo top. Once I get a business name down I will get embroidered polos done. Per the advice I received I got the scrubs in khaki, navy, and brown, all colors that are not typical of scrubs worn by the nurses. I like the cargo ones with lots of pockets and a drawstring waist. They are comfy and that way I have a doula "uniform" all separate from my regular clothes so they are ready to go.

Along with the scrub bottoms, I was thinking about the usefulness of an apron. Something to cover the shirt during delivery or water birth. I thought it would be cute in a hospital setting, after they stamp the footprints to use the apron for one last print. Imagine an apron full of little feet that you attended to. OK, maybe just an idea.

I think that's really cute! I'm all for creating records and physical reminders of the women/babies I have served.

I would feel more professional in scrubs..
I want to buy some, but i haven't had the chance to yet. :snooty

I agree that I do not want to waer what hospital staff wear . . .I want to be seen as someone working with them but really being there just for mama. However, the washability/stain resistant factor of scrubs is a good point. Right now I wear comfy clothes (in layers) that I wash as soon as I get home, and a nametag. But I think I will get some birth-only clothes. Just not sure what. Scrub bottoms sound very useful and smart!

no scrubs here, and I would have been REALLY upset if any of my own doulas had shown up wearing scrubs.

those of you who wear scrubs to birth, do you let the moms know ahead of time?