How long was your hospital stay and what did you pack?

[Kappy]

I'm going to be packing my hospital bag soon to be prepared for my c-section in 3 weeks.

How long was your hospital stay? I hear the average is three days.


There are several threads in third trimester on what to pack in the hospital bag but thought i'd ask the mommies who have had or are going to have a c-section what they suggest as the stay is typically longer.

Thanks so much!

 

[mommytobe11]

i had my section on a friday and left on monday. i could have left on sunday but my iron was way too low and they wanted to keep monitoring me. i had actually been there since wednesday but that's because i went in to be induced.

i didn't really pack anything different from what the lists suggest. i probably would have packed an eye mask though for naps during the day! good luck!

 

[maratobe]

i stayed 6 days but that was because of previous complications during my pregnancy. i made sure i packed some larger size undies because of my c-section scar i had to wear them higher over the wound
good luck!!

 

[Sproglet]

I gave birth Thurs evening, was out Sat morning. In hindsight, that was too early, I couldn't even get out of bed on my own!

I packed 3 days worth of clothes for me and LO. And had extras waiting in a bag at home for OH to fetch if need be.

I'm glad I took a nightie because I couldn't bear ANYTHING near my stomach, my pyjamas never got worn. A dressing gown was nice for walking round the ward. High waisted pants in a size too big. For going home, if you can wear a dress then do so, if not cheap leggings 3 sizes too big should do- you want them to fit without having to stretch around your waist. Even though the scar is low down, there are several layers of stitches inside (muscles, uterus) and the internal stitches are higher up. I didn't realise and went home in jogging bottoms and was in agony by the time I got home.

You will want something to keep you entertained- I had my iPhone but you might want magazines or something.

And of course you will need all the other stuff like toiletries! (At least you can ignore all the suggestions for what you need when in labour)

 

[jd11]

pretty much what has been.suggested. i take extra maternity pads to place across my scar take. backing off to stick to underwear it stops clothes from rubbing on it

 

[miss cakes]

pretty much the same as usual except you need big knickers that wont chafe on the wound and id suggest a nightshirt rather than pajamas so nothings rubbing on you at all an your have a catheter at first so you wont be wearing trousers anyway lol and just pack extra baby clothes for being there longer average for first csection is 3 days x

 

[discoclare]

I had an elective section last Thursday (25th October) and was discharged Saturday 27th. The other lady who had an elective section same day as me was discharged on Friday (24hours!) but I stayed a day longer to check my haemoglobin coming back up since I lost over 1000 mls blood and also I had a wound drain in which they wanted to monitor for 24 hours before removing and she didn't need one. At my trust average stay is 2 days for c section, but with my first I had a complicated emergency section and was in 5 days! (same hospital).

This time I packed:
For baby:
Babygros, vests, cotton wool, nappies, nappy sacks, hat, scratch mitts, thin fleecy blanket (receiving blanket), pram/snowsuit for going home, carseat

For me:
2 nightshirts that buttoned down front for BFing
pack of big granny knickers to come way over scar
maternity sanitary pads
flip flops
tolietries (tootbrush, paste, facial wipes, shower gel, lip balm, deodorant etc)
Boppy feeding pillow
Lansinoh nipple cream
hair bands
puzzle book
camera
phone and charger
pair trousers and top for wearing home
flannel and towel

 

[Becky_Mummy2B]

I went in Wed morning, has section Wed morning and was home by Thurs afternoon. Packed as I would for a normal delivery, using the standard hospital bag suggestions on this site. I would strongly recommend HUGE knickers for after birth and no clothes that would sit on the wound. X

 

[devon_91x]

I had my section Sunday morning and was out 4pm Tuesday afternoon. Would have been out Tuesday morning but had to wait for the doctor to finally sort out my antibioitcs. God i cant really remember what i packed now, but i wasnt planning on having a section so ended up having to send OH home and bring me up more bits, but from what i can remember i had 2 nightgowns, about 5-6 pairs of undies, 2 packs of pads (although the hospital used their own when they changed mine) toiletries, phone charger, going home clothes, fluffy socks, 4 sleepsuits, 4 vests, pack of nappys, cardigan. I didnt take a hat or mittens but i had a summer baby so they wasnt needed although i would suggest that you take some as its so cold now! Oh also took nipple pads!

 

[c1403]

Mine was a EMCS so I wasnt very prepared. I was in hospital for 5 days and had a few complications afterwards (was on all sort of drips etc)

I reccomend to pack....
-Nighties (nice and baggy)
-Plenty of sanitary pads
-HUGE knickers. I boght 4 pairs of huge maternity knickers 2 sizes bigger (you will need them at home as my normal undies sat on my scar line and im still wearing them 8 weeks later)
-Some baggy tracksuit bottoms/Lounge pants as I found it impossible to wear any leggings/jeans etc.
- Nipple cream if breastfeeding and maybe a extra pilllow
-Blanket as sitting down in a hospital chair you kinda loose a bit of dignity, so I used a blanket over my knees

xxxx

 

[AmesLouise]

I stayed in the hospital 4 days! I called my insurance to check on max stay allowed (for this time) and it is 96 hours- so I will be in 4 more days again!
The things I packed that I highly recommend:
Notebook and pen (write down on the little tid bits that you don't realize you forget).
Chapstick (my lips got super super dry)
Tums (anacids- it was an act of congress to get one and it needed a doc order)
Power Bars (for hubby and my other kids- just in case he needed something when visiting)
Pillow (there was something about having my own pillow that I loved)
Slippers/fuzzy socks with treds
I personally preferred pants/shirt (extra big) b/c it was easier for me to nurse.
Nursing bra (Medella is my favorite)
Nipple pads (I leaked like crazy by day 2 when my milk really came in)
Going home outfit for me and baby.
Sleeper gowns (with opening on bottom) for baby during hospital stay.