The other day, I saw an ad for a “labor dress.” It looked like a normal sleeveless dress with brightly colored flowers, however, it apparently has special slits in it for epidurals and other necessities. Mind you, the cost ranges from $24.99 to $58 for these “labor dresses” or “delivery gowns.”

My question is: who was sitting in the delivery room giving their final push, thinking, “Boy, this would be a whole lot better if I had a pretty dress on …”? Obviously, someone thought this was a necessity and created them, but I fail to see how a flowery dress is going to make me feel better when my contractions are going off the charts. Hospital gowns are not the most alluring clothing one could wear, but when it comes down to it, when you’re giving birth no one is looking to see if you’re dressed to the nines.

I don’t even know if my socks were matching during my first birth, but no one ever said anything.

If wearing a dress makes someone feel better during labor, more power to them. But sometimes I feel like some of these things that are suggested to soon-to-be moms are a little ridiculous.

I’ve also had some folks suggest I make a birthing playlist, but listening to music seems like it might be out of place. Maybe it’s the best idea, and I should try it, but I’m not totally convinced.

Honestly, it seems like there is a push, no pun intended, to take something that can be painful and difficult and make it into a spa-day experience. While I understand it is important to try to remain as comfortable as possible and to make sure it’s a process you’re OK with, I just can’t wrap my head around trying to make labor something that it isn’t. It is highly pleasant when the labor is over and your sweet little baby is laid on your chest. However, getting to that point through all the bone-shifting, muscle-squeezing contractions isn’t all that pleasant.

That’s OK. It is OK for something to happen that isn’t pleasant, which leads up to one of the most beautiful things in the world. Labor doesn’t have to be a day at the salon. We don’t have to dress it up, or try to make it something it is not.

We can just accept the reality of what labor is, that it does actually hurt and that sometimes life is messy. Putting a dress on it isn’t going to change that.

I also think it’s important for women to know they don’t have to be 100 percent primped and adorable all the time. Sometimes, you’re going to be sweaty, without makeup and in a hospital gown – you don’t have to look like a model. You’re bringing a baby into the world. The least anyone can do is accept the fact your appearance is the last thing on your mind.

Women do not exist just to look nice. Women are made of stronger stuff; we were endowed by God to bring new life into the world and raise up our children as best we can. We were created as nurturing souls, who give of our bodies to nourish and grow another person and never let go as long as we live.

People often complain that Christianity puts women down, or somehow makes them subservient and less than – but I beg to differ. God shows us how strong we are as women, not for what we look like, what we wear or don’t wear or who we think we are. Rather, God tells us the truth about who we are and the true reason of why we are strong.

We don’t need makeup or a fancy dress for any of that because we are clothed in strength and dignity, as it says in Proverbs 31:25-26.

“Strength and dignity are her clothing,

and she laughs at the time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom,

and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”