# sock on or off at the natural birth? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 3, 2013, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279 "2013-08-03T22:15:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279/21 "2013-08-03T23:10:50Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > We would, if we knew what you were talking about. **How do you get a sock on the baby before birth?** And why would you? Fetal surgery. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279/22 "2013-08-03T23:12:41Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > We would, if we knew what you were talking about. How do you get a sock on the baby before birth? And why would you? > [@runner pat](#): > > Fetal surgery. Indeed. They can do wonders with that. If I ever have kids, I plan to outfit them in a formal tux before they emerge from the womb, just for the occasion. ---
**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279/23 "2013-08-03T23:27:51Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Indeed. They can do wonders with that. If I ever have kids, I plan to outfit them in a formal tux before they emerge from the womb, just for the occasion. Nobody should have to be born naked, it’s undignified. Please, won’t somebody think of the children? ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2013, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279/24 "2013-08-04T00:19:23Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Indeed. They can do wonders with that. If I ever have kids, I plan to outfit them in a formal tux before they emerge from the womb, just for the occasion. That would be quite the birthday suit. I’ve had two children, but cannot recall my footwear at the times of the happy events. Evidently, I was preoccupied with other matters. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2013, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279/25 "2013-08-04T00:24:48Z")
> [@Eliahna](#): > > That would be quite the birthday suit. > > I’ve had two children, but cannot recall my footwear at the times of the happy events. Evidently, I was preoccupied with other matters. How selfish you know that’s a joke, right? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2013, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279/26 "2013-08-04T00:33:41Z")
I was born once, but can’t remember what I was wearing, either. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2013, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279/27 "2013-08-04T00:35:27Z")
Is this something to do with circumcision? I voted assuming it was. ---
**Author:** ![carlotta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@carlotta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlotta)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2013, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279/28 "2013-08-04T00:57:24Z")
I don’t remember about socks for my first three children, but for my fourth I was wearing not only socks but shoes. I was at a birthing center that was really good about letting the mom take the lead and standing was just what felt good and being supported in my shoes felt good too. So I never got off my feet from the time I walked in to the time I gave birth. I was a little surprised when I realized I’d had them on the whole time (and they did have to be washed off quite a bit). ---
**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2013, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279/29 "2013-08-04T01:11:07Z")
> [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#): > > Is this something to do with circumcision? I voted assuming it was. Which way did you vote? Pro socks? Or sock free? ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2013, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279/30 "2013-08-04T01:25:13Z")
If the birth is being recorded, I vote for socks: with fishing line so that they can come flying off at the climatic moment like in the old stag movies. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2013, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279/31 "2013-08-04T01:37:20Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > I vote: WTF?! > If I was pushing a melon out of an orifice socks would be the last thing on my mind, right behind “I wonder what Jeremy Piven is having for lunch…” Piven would probably be having sushi for lunch, unless he swore off after the whole [Speed-The-Plow](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2330401/Elisabeth-Moss-slams-Entourages-Jeremy-Piven-dishing-star-Jon-Hamms-manhood.html) thing. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2013, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279/32 "2013-08-04T01:50:27Z")
I honestly would like to see a doctor or nurse say, “OH NO! WE MUST REMOVE THESE SOCK [SIC] IMMEDIATELY OR IT WILL RESULT IN AN ARTIFICIAL BIRTH!” ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2013, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279/33 "2013-08-04T02:07:59Z")
Poll is anonymous, right? Cause. . .well, you know. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2013, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279/34 "2013-08-04T02:13:47Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > How selfish > > you know that’s a joke, right? It’s not selfish to be preoccupied with other things immediately after giving birth. I mean, it’s not like my hair was going to do itself. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2013, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279/35 "2013-08-04T02:49:39Z")
> [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#): > > Is this something to do with circumcision? I voted assuming it was. No, that’d be turtlenecks. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2013, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279/36 "2013-08-04T03:58:52Z")
> [@aNewLeaf](#): > > Nobody should have to be born naked, it’s undignified. > > Please, won’t somebody think of the children? That’s a good point. My mom used to dress us in “bags” – the nighties with the drawstring bottom. Those would be good to have the baby slip right into as it is emerging. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2013, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279/37 "2013-08-04T07:40:46Z")
She had her fucking socks on when I impregnated her, she can damn well wear socks when the brat is born! ---
**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2013, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279/38 "2013-08-04T09:38:18Z")
> [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > She had her fucking socks on when I impregnated her! It’s only appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2013, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279/39 "2013-08-04T10:35:21Z")
Mr Boods always wears a sock to prevent this dilemma ever arising. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2013, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279/40 "2013-08-04T11:47:55Z")
> [@aNewLeaf](#): > > > [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > > > She had her fucking socks on when I impregnated her! > > It’s only appropriate. Of course, now that I think about it, she was only still wearing _one_ at the time. So now I’m confused. Socks _on_, socks _off_, or only one? And if only one, should it be on the left foot, where she was wearing it at the time, or can she wear the one sock on the right foot, which she may (or may not) find more comfortable while squeezing out the little bastard? Maybe _I_ should wear the sock, instead… This is all too confusing for me. Someone take my socks before I do something foolish and destructive. I want to take back my ‘on’ vote, and complain that the OP didn’t give us enough options. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sock-on-or-off-at-the-natural-birth/665279.md?page=3)