Naman Shrestha
Lila is a brand that caters primarily to women in labor by providing them with a line of stylish and comfortable labor gowns and maternity clothing to make them feel beautiful and comfortable during one of the most important days of their lives. The founder, Caitlyn Schollmeier, was given the golden opportunity to feature on the fifth episode of ABC’s ‘Shark Tank’ season 17. She pitched her company to the Sharks in an attempt to secure their investment and propel her business to new heights.
Lila Labor Gowns: Who Are They and What Do They Do?
The founder of Lila labor gowns, Caitlyn Schollmeier, has a background in nursing and a passion for caring for others. Apart from pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Development at California State University – East Bay, she also studied Nursing Science at the Community College of the Air Force. Simultaneously, Caitlyn served as an OBGYN Technician at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center from 2013 to 2015. For the next two years, she worked at David Grant Medical Center as a Labor and Delivery Nurse. In January 2019, she took on a contract-based position at Golden Gate Doula Associates, where she served as a Certified Birth Doula until August 2021.
That same year, Caitlyn started attending Vanderbilt University, pursuing a Master’s degree in Nursing and Nursing Midwifery. Having spent years at the bedside of various patients, Caitlyn understood what labor and birth look like and how they could affect the mother emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It led her to design a hospital gown for her own clients, making them feel more comfortable during childbirth. She got the opportunity to wear the self-created labor gown in 2020, when she and her husband, Matt, were expecting twins. However, due to a few pregnancy complications, she had to be admitted to the hospital for six weeks. During her hospital stay, Caitlyn posted a video on TikTok while wearing the comfortable and accessible labor gown that she had designed.
Overnight, the video went viral with everyone asking her about the gown she was wearing and where they could purchase the same. During a conversation with Nashville Voyager, she explained that after her video went viral, “I made a follow-up video, where I showed the features of what would later become the Lila birth gown and that video went even more viral than the first, catching the attention of more than 9 million people. I sold 40 gowns that I had on hand via Instagram, and then decided I would invest my life’s savings, nearly $80,000, into starting a company from my hospital bed in a matter of days. I applied for a business license, I opened an online store, and set a launch date after ordering 2,500 gowns from my supplier.”
The day after her twins were born six weeks earlier than scheduled due to pregnancy complications, she launched Lila from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in 2021 and sold out of all 2,500 in less than 2 hours. In the following years, Caitlyn and Lila grew successful and earned a loyal clientele. Besides transforming the conventional hospital gown into something more comfortable, the goal of each Lila product is to be functional, flattering, and empowering. The brand caters not only to women but also to newborn babies and toddlers.
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Lila Labor Gowns: Where Are They Now?
Over the years, Lila labor gowns have been featured on CBS Mornings, Babylist, What to Expect, The Bump, and Time. In the same aforementioned interview, Caitlyn Schollmeier revealed, “We started with one style and one size, and now over five different styles, four different sizes, nearly 20 different colors or patterns. We make the most size and culturally inclusive birth clothing line on the market. We sell all over the world with the goal to improve birth experiences and make them just a little more comfortable.” The products can be purchased on the company’s official website.
With multiple color options, the labor gowns are available in various styles, such as Lila, Amelia, Juliet, Cassidy, and Nadia. They are available for purchase between $39.99 and $79.99. Labor robes are also available in multiple colors for $39.99. Apart from that, Lila also offers Maternity clothes and nursing accessible wear. As for newborn babies, most of the Baby Swaddle Sets are priced at $22.99. Meanwhile, Finley Rompers and Knot Gown sets are available for $40. Lila also makes sleepwear and accessories for babies. You can also buy kids’ Everett Shirts, Piper Dresses, and Matching Family Sets from the online store.
With a mission to uplift and transform the birthing experience, Lila strives to make new waves in the industry by providing gowns and clothing that enable women to have safe and satisfying births. In August 2025, Caitlyn and Lila set up shop at the Prego Expo, where the company collaborated with Swaddelini. For Labor Day 2025, Lila offered up to 60% off our maternity and nursing clothes, as well as 40% off select labor gowns. In October, Lila also set up shop at the Toronto Baby Show, further raising awareness about the innovative gowns. In the same month, their products were also showcased at the ACNM Annual Conference. For Halloween, Lila Maternity hosted a Candy Grab event, offering a 10% discount on their products and candies to children.
