Can I Bring My Own Gown to the Hospital? A Nurse Answers Your Most Common Questions

If you’re preparing for surgery, chemotherapy, labor and delivery, or a hospital stay, you may be wondering:

Can I bring my own gown to the hospital?

The short answer is yes—most hospitals allow and encourage patients to bring and wear their own hospital gown, especially for planned surgeries, chemotherapy, labor and delivery, outpatient procedures, and recovery. Every hospital has its own policies, so it’s always best to ask your healthcare team before your visit. Your gown should be clean, comfortable, and designed so your medical team can still provide the care you need.

As a registered nurse, this is one of the questions I wish more people knew to ask.

Many patients simply assume they have to wear the standard hospital gown because it’s what’s handed to them. In reality, if it’s clinically appropriate, many healthcare teams are happy to accommodate a personal patient gown.

As a Nurse, I Encouraged Patients to Bring Their Own Gown

Long before I created Untethered, I spent years as a registered nurse caring for patients through surgery, serious illness, and recovery.

One of my favorite things was seeing a patient arrive with something from home—a favorite blanket, their own pillow, comfortable slippers, or a soft gown they had chosen themselves.

When it was clinically appropriate, we didn’t just allow patients to wear their own gowns—we welcomed it. In many cases, we encouraged patients to bring familiar items because we know hospitals can feel overwhelming. The unfamiliar environment, constant interruptions, bright lights, and uncertainty can make anyone feel untethered.

Something as simple as wearing your own gown can provide comfort, familiarity, and a sense of control during a time when so much feels out of your hands.

Even now, as a nurse, I bring my own gown whenever I know I’ll be changing into one. I’ve worn it to dermatology appointments, acupuncture visits, emergency room visits, and appointments where I’ll need to undress for an examination.

If I were ever admitted to the hospital, there wouldn’t even be a question—I would absolutely bring my own gown.

Not because I care about looking put together.

Because I know how much better I feel in something that’s mine.

After years of caring for patients, I’ve learned that healing isn’t only about medications and procedures. It’s also about preserving the small pieces of normalcy that remind you who you are.

Does My Hospital Gown Need to Be Sterile?

This is another question I hear often.

The answer is no—your personal gown does not need to be sterile.

As a registered nurse, I recommend washing your gown before bringing it to the hospital, just as you would any other clothing you plan to wear. A clean, freshly laundered gown is appropriate for many hospital stays and outpatient procedures.

It’s also helpful to know that the hospital gowns used for routine patient care are not typically sterile either. They are cleaned and processed according to the hospital’s infection prevention and laundering practices, but they are not generally packaged as sterile garments.

Likewise, your own gown does not need to undergo industrial laundering before you wear it. Washing it at home according to the care instructions is appropriate for most situations.

There are exceptions. For certain procedures or clinical circumstances, your healthcare team may ask you to change into a hospital-issued gown instead. If that happens, they’ll explain why.

Will Doctors and Nurses Still Have Access?

This is one of the most important questions.

Your gown should never interfere with your medical care.

Look for a patient gown that’s designed with clinical access in mind so your healthcare team can easily access your shoulders, chest, back, IV lines, ports, drains, or surgical sites when needed.

As an RN, this was one of my highest priorities when designing Untethered. I wanted women to feel comfortable while ensuring nurses and physicians could still do their jobs easily.

Why Do Patients Bring Their Own Hospital Gown?

For most women, it isn’t about looking pretty.

It’s about feeling like yourself. Like a human not just a patient. 

A hospital gown is one of the first things you’re handed when you’re admitted. It can unintentionally make you feel like you’ve left part of your identity at the door.

Having your own gown can help you feel more comfortable, more confident, and more like yourself during one of life’s most vulnerable moments.

Women appreciate:

• Soft, breathable fabric that’s gentle on sensitive skin.
• Better coverage while walking the halls or receiving visitors.
• A gown that feels familiar and comforting.
• One less unfamiliar thing during an already difficult day.
• Something they can continue wearing throughout recovery at home.

These may seem like small things, but they can make a meaningful difference.

When Can I Wear My Own Hospital Gown?

Many women choose to bring their own gown for:

• Caring for loved one at home
• Planned surgeries
• Chemotherapy and infusion appointments
• Labor and delivery
• Postpartum recovery
• Hospital admissions
• Emergency room visits
• Dermatology procedures
• Acupuncture appointments
• Elder care
• Hospice and palliative care
• Recovery after surgery
• Medical appointments requiring a physical exam

Every hospital and procedure is different, so it’s always best to ask your healthcare team beforehand.

What Should I Look for in a Hospital Gown?

If you’re planning to bring your own hospital gown, look for one that offers:

• Soft, breathable fabric
• Easy medical access
• Comfortable movement
• Durable construction
  Coverage that helps you feel comfortable around visitors and caregivers

The goal isn’t simply to replace the standard hospital gown.

It’s to support your care while helping you feel more comfortable throughout your healthcare journey.

Why I Created Untethered

After years as a registered nurse, I saw the same thing over and over again.

Women facing surgery, cancer treatment, childbirth, and hospitalization were expected to wear gowns that prioritized the healthcare system—but rarely patient comfort or dignity.

I knew there had to be a better option.

That’s why I created Untethered: a patient gown designed through the eyes of a nurse. Every detail, from the soft organic cotton fabric and thoughtful coverage to the strategically placed snaps for medical access was intentionally designed to support both patients and the healthcare professionals caring for them.

But regardless of what gown you choose, my hope is simple: that every woman knows she has options.

Many patients don’t realize they can ask to wear their own hospital gown. As a nurse, I hope this changes. Because when it’s clinically appropriate, something as simple as wearing a gown that’s soft, familiar, and your own can make an unfamiliar place feel just a little more comfortable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my own hospital gown?

Most often, yes. Most hospitals allow patients to wear their own gown when it’s appropriate for their care. Ask your healthcare team before your visit.

Can I wear my own gown in the emergency room?

In most situations, yes. If your condition requires immediate evaluation or treatment, your team may ask you to change into a hospital gown. In other situations, you may be able to wear your own. As a nurse, if I’m heading to the ER or a medical appointment, I always pack my favorite Untethered gown. It’s so inconspicuous I even put it on at home before I head to the appointment. 

Can I wear my own gown during chemotherapy?

Many infusion centers welcome patients wearing comfortable clothing or patient gowns that provide easy port or IV access. Check with your infusion center if you’re unsure.

Can I bring my own gown for labor and delivery?

Many expectant mothers choose to wear their own labor gown during portions of labor or postpartum recovery. Your labor and delivery team can explain what works best for your birth plan.

Can I wear my own gown after surgery?

Typically, yes. Once your healthcare team determines it’s appropriate, many patients change into their own clean gown during recovery because it’s more comfortable and familiar.