Natick mom and RN designs hospital gowns that address needs, preserve dignity

The community bulletin board at Sweetwater in Natick center was as flyer-filled as ever. Pitches for tutors competed for space with spring clean-up services and school play showtime listings.

Lauren Pfeifer scans the board, looking for a sweet spot—big enough to tack up her brochure, open enough so she’s not foiling someone else’s promotional efforts. The board’s usage commandments number but one—thou shalt not obscure thy neighbor’s posting. She’s found her space. Up go a couple brochures for Untethered, the medical assist women always knew they needed, but didn’t know existed.

Here’s what I learned over a cup of coffee with a nurse on a mission. According to Lauren—Natick mom, 3rd-generation nurse, and entrepreneur—7 out of 10 women don’t realize they can bring their own gown to the hospital and medical appointments. Comfortable gowns. Good-looking gowns. Gowns that fit and make sense.

Wait, what? I can bring my own gown to medical appointments? Now there’s a concept.

I’ve worn plenty of gowns in lots of medical settings. If I’ve ever put one on correctly, I am unaware of achieving such a feat. Closure strings that I accidentally tie into knots. Snaps that are always somehow one off. And don’t get me started about breezes. I certainly never knew I could go rogue and bring my own garb.

Enter Untethered hospital gowns for women, an alternative to the standard hospital gown, designed to provide comfort, coverage, and dignity when it matters most. Lauren’s mission is simple: to attend to patients’ needs and humanity—whether they’re at a simple routine visit or dealing with a complex diagnosis. That mission became personal when her mother-in-law, Maryellen, was diagnosed with cancer. Even on her hardest days, Maryellen wanted to feel dignified, self-reliant, and true to herself. Seeing her in a gown that offered no dignity or comfort was heartbreaking—and became the spark for Lauren’s vision.

Seeing Maryellen in a blue hospital gown came to feel like a symbol for Lauren. “It came to represent everything I hated. Cancer. Losing someone I deeply loved.  Having her individuality, importance, everything that made her, her, slowly overlooked as she became “just another patient.”

“I couldn’t help my mother-in-law feel better about the awkwardness about so much of what she was experiencing,” Lauren continued, “But I vowed to her, ‘Maryellen, I’m going to help other women feel more dignified and like themselves.’ ”

From that promise, the mother of three created a line of gowns and named her company Untethered.

Features of Untethered gowns include cues for orientation (no guessing which side is front or back); two center pockets to keep personal items close at hand, including a discreet opening for medical tubing or wires to pass through; and shoulder and back snaps that open as much or as little as you need. (From IVs and ports to exams or breastfeeding, women can remain covered and in control.) Gowns are made of 94% organic cotton and 6% spandex for softness, breathability and gentle stretch.

The fabric, sourced from Ontario is shipped to Pennsylvania where a small family business handles the digital printing process. “This allows us to reduce water consumption and avoid harsh chemical dyes,” Lauren says.

Once printed, the fabric goes to New YorkCity, where it is individually cut and sewn by a local team.

Ranging in price from $115-$135, Untethered gowns aren’t inexpensive. But for those who have long wished for an alternative to the standard “undress and put this on, please” experience, the outlay will be well worth it.

Where to find Untethered hospital gowns for women

• www.shopuntethered.com (free UPS shipping across the US)
• Natick Farmers Market on July 18; Aug. 22; Sept. 5; Oct. 24
• Questions? Contact Lauren at info@shopuntethered.com

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