C Section hospital bags

[jensonsmummy]

I know its still very early days but wondering if anyone has any advise on what to bring in hospital bag if having a c section?

I had natural birth first time, out of hospital 8 hours later so am clueless plus all my family have had natural deliverys so no help there.

Thanks

 

[MotherofPearl]

With my first, it was an emcs, so I had packed like I'd be having a normal, vaginal birth. lol This time (planned section) I will be using that past experience to help me pack. Some things I'd recommend for you...

-comfy pajamas and a robe (for when you're allowed out of bed)
-toothpaste/brush, face wash, shampoo/conditioner (any toiletries you really have a preference to)
-several pair of comfy, loose undies (so as not to rub on your incision)
-socks/slippers
-makeup (if you're up for it. I wasn't. lol)
-camera/phone
-nursing bras/pads/cream (I don't like leaving the girls to "hang out". XD)

for baby...

-several outfits/jammies
-pacifiers (dummies) if you have a certain kind you'd like your baby to try
-mitts or socks to cover up baby's hands. Those newborn nails can be sharp!

That's really all we needed for my daughter, although I would definitely suggest packing more jammies/outifts that you think you'd need. Wardrobe malfunctions can be quite numerous!

If anyone can think of anything else I've forgotten, please add to the list!

 

[ZoMo]

Hey

I had a really positive c-section experience after a failed induction, its scary to think about it beforehand but this is my first baby and I would be very happy to have another c-section if we have further children My advice is based on my UK hospital experience, not sure if it different elsewhere.

As you have already had a baby, I wont go into what you need to pack for baby as I am sure you know all too well what babies need!

For your hospital bag you need to pack for at least 2 days (3 nights). It seems to be standard practice to keep you in for a minimum of 48 hours, it may be longer if you develop any complications or if you do not pass enough urine for them to be happy that all is ok inside after it has all been shuffled about!

A nightie / large t-shirt as you are completely immobile for the first 24 hours with a catheter in so very busy nurses need quick easy access to your pads and catheter which pj bottoms restricts (the last thing you will want is someone pulling you around to get pj bottoms on and off)

Regular pjs - if you want trouser pjs for the next couple of days once the epidural wears off and the catheter is removed and you can get up and look after yourself, bring a couple of sets in case the vaginal bleeding leaks! I would advise on bringing a big size so there is no tight fitting clothing around your tummy and pelvis.

Enormous granny pants!! The type that sit up near your rib cage!! You will not want anything anywhere near your incision site for weeks.

A few towels for showering- again for the vaginal bleeding (as your incision will be covered up)

Bed socks

Slippers

Dressing gown

Snacks and drinks for between meals

Magazines / books / pen

Ipod & earphones (ipod style earphones useful to plug into the personal tv)

Money for phone / debit or credit card for tv services (if in UK)

List of contact telephone numbers or email addresses (our hospital TV package offered free landline calls and free internet)

Mobile phone

Make up & remover (if you can be bothered!)

Toiletries - non perfumed soap / shower gel, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbands, moisturiser, lip balm etc

Maternity & breast pads

Hairbrush

Loose clothing for leaving hospital

Probably other stuff too but it will be your normal everyday stuff you will remember to pack rather than c-section essentials!

If you want any info on what to expect from a planned c-section procedure then I would be very happy to share my story with you

 

[SillyMoo1983]

^^^ wss

Definitely the biggest, comfiest granny pants you can find!

I lived in nighties as I found it impossible to bend down to put PJ bottoms on.

Snacks (including figs&prunes as I definitely needed them!)

Wet wipes for freshening up

Lots and lots of maternity pads (when the epi wears off and you stand up the first few times you will need them!)

Flip flops to wear in the shower, probably in a size bigger than you normally wear. My feet swelled soooo much and I could barely squeeze into my flip flops!

I was totally unprepared for my emcs so had no granny pants! Also had to send people out to buy micro nappies & early baby clothes as she was a dinky little 5lber.

 

[victorial8]

What u did was pack for a normal short stay even though I knew I would be having a section. I then packed another bag with extras in for my OH to bring in the next day, that way I didn't have loads of stuff with me coz it can be a pain rummaging through lots of stuff when you are sore.
This included things for the baby, I had everything lay out in sizes for my OH to just grab the pile of the size I told him we would need and that could go in the bag too. Also pack a few carrier bags and then somebody can take dirty clothes and things you don't need away with you.

I didn't pack a dressing gown and when I was allowed out of bed I was paranoid that I had bled everywhere and had to walk through to the toilets infront of everyone in my nightie so I would have much preferred to have a dressing gown with me. X x

 

[tickledpink3]

^wss anything you would pack for a normal birth BUT they gave me a belly support at the hospital which I loved and will be taking again. Some women find them irritating to the c section wound but it didn't bother me.

 

[pinkgem100]

going off what happened with DD & being in hospital for 3 days i have packed:

for baby:
6 sleepsuits
6 vests
1 going home outfit
5 bibs
3 scratch mits (soom of the sllepsuits have built in mitts)
3 hats
1 balanket
nappies
wet wipes

for me:
3 sets of PJ - fresh pair every night
2 jogging bottoms and tops
1 outfit for going home (over the bump leggings to protect scar and a tunic style top)
6 knickers
3 pair socks
breast pads
maternity pads
toilettries - toothpaste, toothbrush, hair brush, shampoo, condition, shower gel
makeup


camera
Ds
kindle
magazines

i think thats it but may have forgotten some bits, been packed for a few weeks now!!

xx

 

[jensonsmummy]

Thanks for all the responses ladies, im totally clueless on sections and all that goes with them :/

Think i might pack two bags and keep one in car so OH can swap over when needed caz we have to bring nappies etc to for baby, and my bag was huge last time and i was only in a few hours really after birth.

Must start getting bits and pieces together early, caz my LO hates shopping so easier to do now when im not as big and uncomfortable.

Does anyone have any idea how early they normally do a planned section. Dont see consultant til next month

 

[MotherofPearl]

At my hospital (i don't know if this is universal) they usually plan a section for a week before your due date.

 

[StephiiBaby]

I just think alot of everything. I took barely anything after thinking i was having natural and ended up having more bought up to me.x