Creators Of Labour Trousers To 'Protect Mothers' Modesty' While Giving Birth Respond To Criticism

Creators Of Labour Trousers Made To 'Protect Mothers' Modesty' Respond To Criticism
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A Malaysian company has created full-length trousers for Muslim women to be worn during birth and limit exposing parts of the body.

The baggy trousers, which retail at around £20, look similar to tracksuit bottoms but have an opening between the legs to let the baby out while still covering most of the bottom half of a woman during labour.

Describing the product on their Facebook page, MamaPride states: "Mamapride is a maternity garment to be worn during spontaneous vaginal delivery process.

"The aim of this garment is to protect mother's modesty during delivery by minimising the exposure of a woman's body during delivery."

After the labour trousers received a mixed reaction from online commenters MamaPride has emphasised that the product is intended to be a solution for women who would like to be more covered while giving birth, and not something they expect every pregnant woman to buy.

The company writes on Facebook: "We do not and never force anyone to use our product.

"We are solution provider in the hope that this will tackle the issue of a male doctor attending delivery.

"We always remind our customer to discuss about this garment with the doctors."

One person commented on the photos on Facebook: "Why make things difficult for the muslim women? What kind of pride are you selling? You are just making the delivery process more difficult for the doctor and the mother!"

Another person wrote: "A baby's birth is a Grace of God and it is to be celebrated! It is nothing to be ashamed of. Get the fanatics out of the delivery room there is enough madness already!"

However others have shown interest in the product and on the company's website, they have a "testimonials" section which includes messages from satisfied customers.

Nazia Suhaimi wrote: "I have already used these. They are very comfortable indeed I used them instantly."

Another testimonial said: "The doctor and staff nurse feel happy to follow the procedure and the fabric has patient comfort."

In an open letter the company shared on their Facebook page, they acknowledged the criticism they had received.

The letter said: "We (Mamapride) had been in the news very recently with considerable magnitude of response from netizens. There is a need to set the record straight to ensure that the philosophy behind this innovation is preserved.

"The maternity pant was designed with aim to accommodate modesty for the mother and attending medical staff while at the same time adhere to the highest standard of intrapartum care, allowing necessary monitoring and intervention to the mother and baby."

They add: "There are many faces of extremism and it all share the same origin, ignorance.

"The failure to understand resulted in being misunderstood. Further misunderstanding hinder reconciliation and progress.

"At Mamapride, healthcare professionals gather to generate ideas in order to pave a middle path in this very demanding time.

"They seek engagement with stakeholders from various perspective besides diverse background. The stakes are high but it has always been the struggle that they were willing to shoulder.

"To strike the right chords that resonates harmony across religion, ethical, medical and logistic demands."

Full open letter below:

Life Hacks For Maternity Clothes
Option 1: Maternity jeans(01 of10)
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Jeans with those ridiculously high tummy panels are probably the most ubiquitous article of maternity clothing out there and I am NOT a fan. Without a real waist band, my pants were forever falling down so that I looked like I was taking my fashion cues from Kris Kross for the better part of my first pregnancy.

My personal discomfort aside, maternity jeans can also be expensive. This time I've wised up and purchased a couple pairs of jeans from my favourite cheap stores in more forgiving cuts. These also have some stretch so that they sit comfortably below my expanding belly. Even though I bought new, I chose styles that I really like so I'll get my money's worth by wearing them post-baby as well.

Get it here: Forever 21, $29.80

(credit:Forever 21)
Option 2: Maternity jeans(02 of10)
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To avoid buying new jeans altogether, you can also try the BellaBand, a stretchy band of fabric that discreetly covers the unbuttoned waistband of your pre-pregnancy jeans and can be worn throughout the duration of your pregnancy (provided the jeans still fit everywhere else!). For just $30, it can make all of the bottoms you already own into “maternity” pants.

Get it here: Thyme Maternity, $30

(credit:Thyme Maternity)
Option 1: Maternity dress(03 of10)
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Dresses are a pregnant woman's secret weapon because they make expanding waistlines a non-issue. I'm obviously not talking about nipped-waist, structured numbers here, but if you've got one with a bit of stretch (spandex is key!) in your closet, see how it works over your bump. I like midi dresses like this one (purchased in my regular, pre-pregnancy size), because they provide coverage but they’re also form-fitting, allowing you to show off your new curves.

Get it here: Le Chateau, $59.95

(credit:Le Chateau)
Option 2: Maternity dress(04 of10)
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If you love the comfort and ease of one-piece dressing but figure-hugging isn't your thing, you're in luck! Fashion is on the pregnant woman's side this season as evidenced by the volume of dresses in stores with, well, volume. If you're like me and have been on the boxy train for a while now, you probably already own a couple of dresses that will take no notice of some extra cargo in front. If not, this roomy t-shirt dress is perfect for now and those post-baby days when the last thing you'll have time to think about is what to wear.

Get it here: Gap, $54.95

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Option 1: Maternity swimsuit(05 of10)
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If you've got travel plans or are just looking ahead to summer (who isn't!?), no need to buy a maternity bathing suit. If you'd normally wear a two-piece but want to cover up, invest in a sarong towear over your existing suit. They can be wrapped in a variety of ways depending on the level of coverage you have and you'll be sure to take it along on future beach holidays as well!

Get it here: Bikini Village, $15

(credit:Bikini Village)
Option 2: Maternity swimsuit(06 of10)
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If a one-piece is more your speed and you can't make your regular suit work, consider buying swim separates -- bottoms and a tank that provide the same coverage as a one-piece. Because the most dramatic changes are happening up top, odds are you'll be able to mix and match the bottoms with a variety of cute tanks long after you've ditched their maternity counterpart!

Get it here: Motherhood Maternity, $39.98

(credit:Motherhood Maternity)
Jogger pants(07 of10)
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Embrace the sport-chic trend. If fashion has been good to us preggos with its celebration of all things oversize, then the fashion gods were really smiling down on us when sporty-chic became a thing. By stepping out in the slouchy joggers you probably already own, not only are you the epitome of comfort, but from a style standpoint, you also look like you know what's what.

If your joggers are super casual, try pairing them with a biker/lace-up boot and a chambray shirt. Take the trend for a more polished spin with this silky pair (need I point out the pregnancy-friendly cut and low, drawstring waist?), that can handle a more casual shoe like your favourite (comfortable) slip-on sneaker.

Get it here: Express, $69.90 and Joe Fresh, $24

(credit:Express/Joe Fresh)
Avoid: Open cardigan(08 of10)
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In the end it's all about personal preference. Maybe you like the extra coverage that a tummy panel provides or maybe it's your first time around and an overjoyed grandma-to-be wants to treat you to some maternity clothes. By all means, take my advice with a grain of salt except when it comes to the items in the next few slides that are just plain silly to buy new:

A) The number one item on my list is an open, shawl-style cardigan. As I said, maternity stores are full of them (maybe preying on a mom-to-be's innate need for comfort?), but the very nature of the garment lends itself perfectly to pregnancy. You probably already own one or two styles like this one from Old Navy.

Get it here: Old Navy, $49.94

(credit:Old Navy)
Avoid: Blazers and jackets(09 of10)
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B) Same goes for blazers, jackets, and any other garment that is normally worn open anyway. Save a bundle on your maternity work wardrobe by continuing to wear your 9-5 staples and buying only some blouses that are tailored to fit your tummy to go underneath!

Get it here: Motherhood Maternity, $44

(credit:Motherhood Maternity)
Avoid: Nursing garments(10 of10)
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C) Nursing garments. Aside from nursing bras (which are a necessity!), this time around I'll avoid nursing tanks and tops. It's way more convenient to simply pull up your shirt, which also tends to hide things better than pulling your breast through the flap of a nursing top. As a nursing mama I wore a lot of tops like this one that allowed for easy access and some drapey coverage.

Get it here: Old Navy, $22.94

(credit:Old Navy)