Hospital bag??!

[Flutterly]

Hi ladies, section is scheduled for next week. Just wondering if you took anything different in your hospital bags than you would have for a natural? Do I need to take more vests and sleepsuits/blankets/nappies cause I'll be in longer?? Anything extra or not needed?!!

Thanks!

 

[Twinkie210]

I am wondering this too, since my c-section is scheduled for next week. The only advice I have been given is to make sure to pack loose clothing that won't cling to your incision. At my hospital c-sections stay one night extra (3 instead of 2 for vaginal), but when I was at the hospital with my son, I just wore the hospital gown and my robe when I had visitors and the baby wore the hospital t-shirt and blanket until he was ready to go home, so I didn't need any extra stuff. I guess that is different in the UK.

 

[Tara100]

Based upon my experiences, I would make sure you have lots of clothes for you and the baby as you may be in longer than the usual 3 days. Or make sure you have a pile of clean stuff at home that your other half or family can bring in for you (they can also take your dirty clothes home to wash for you as well!)

Loose casual clothes are great for the daytimes. You may want to have a walk around the hospital once you are up and about. Being stuck on a ward 24 hours a day just made me feel more ill.

You may want to take your own pillow for home comfort, a camera to capture moments for when your other half is sent home (I hated these times), things to do ... books, magazines, kindle etc, puzzles, birth announcement cards to write etc

I was more prepared for my second section and took a bottle of made up squash (you need to drink lots after), some fruit, lots of mints (urgh hospital mouth) and some chocolate!

Oh nearly forgot .. a huge bath towel (you will want to have a shower or bath and may be accompanied by a midwife or health care assistant) and a dressing gown or long cardigan because they may make you walk down a very public corridor to the theatre in just a hospital gown with your backside on show to all the hospital (maybe that was just me?!)

I'm sure I will think of other things during the day!

 

[Tara100]

My other half has just said to remind the person who is going in with you to wear their best clean pants!

He had to get into his scrubs in the same room as two midwives ... I'm sure they were not at all interested in looking at his pants, but I suppose it's good advice.

And I have remembered that all my bags were in the post natal ward when I arrived back from theatre. Therefore, someone must have moved my bags from the labour ward on the floor below ... I will make sure I do not leave my mobile, purse, camera etc in my bags when I have my next section in February.

 

[Bear0609]

I had it confirmed yesterday my baby is breech so will be having a cesarean next week...eek!

I think I will pack some more clothes based on this, or perhaps just more pyjamas!

 

[Flutterly]

Thanks Tara, that's great advice

Bear, sorry to hear that! Naughty breech babies!!

 

[LittlePeople]

You might find that you'll want 'proper clothes' I just packed pj's and made OH go home for real clothes as being in PJ's all day felt odd and like the day dragged, where as changing in and out of real clothes made me feel a bit more human!

I'm taking squash with me, as I got really fed up of hot choc; tea or water! also a couple of choc bars for the evening in case you get peckish, I actually made OH bring me in a sandwich as I was so hungry haha...

Some nice smelly soap/body wash for your showers...its amazing how fantastic you feel after your first shower - and yes, a nice fluffy towel!

Also, make sure that before your OH/visitors leave, you have everything you might need within easy reach...I made the mistake of everything still being in my bag under the bed on my first evening...couldn't frigging bend to get down there to get bits!!

 

[Wallflower]

MASSIVE KNICKERS is my advice! I had big knickers but needed massive ones so that the elastic didn't rub the wound, had to send my SIL to Primark to get me some after my section as the ones I had were so uncomfy! Think I was wearing size 16/18 during pregnancy but got size 20/22 so the elastic was nowhere near my bikini area!! (they literally covered my belly button and beyond, very sexy lol)

Definitely loose comfy clothing is a must

Good luck