C-Section Essentials....

[HerVagesty]

What is/was on your list?

I am booked in on the 24th September when I will be 39+4 (4 weeks today!!) unless Breechy Girly tries to escape earlier.

I know this has been done to death but what are the must haves/must do's before and after having a section?

I have a list of things packed in my bag already....

Yoga Pants (roll top)
Big Knickers
Loose fitting Tops
General Hospital Bag stuff (toiletries, pads etc)

For recovery...

Arnica Tablets
Peppermint Tea
Tea Tree Oil
Laxatives

..... Anything else you found a godsend afterwards? Anything you did in the run up to the big day to make things easier??

Many thanks in advance!

[Ludways]

The first thing that sprang to kind was big knickers, not those silly paper ones though, proper granny pants!!

Bring everything you need for the day ahead, downstairs each morning, it saves trips upstairs.

For hospital, slippers you can slide your feet into so you don't gave to bend down.

[ColdTeaAgain]

Yes to big pants!

You will want a nightie for the first 24hours or so as you will have a catheter so it's a bit easier and more comfortable in a nightie rather than pj bottoms.

Also, tmi alert, but as you can't move to start with you will be in bed with your bum on a inco pad and maternity pad between your legs to absorb the lochia so again, a nightie or big baggy top with nothing on your bottom half is more practical really.

Something to read or do (puzzles, knitting??) while you're waiting to go to theatre as sometimes can be big delays if they are dealing with emergencies first.

Nice things to eat for when you are on the ward. The dry turkey sandwich they gave me was dismal after fasting since midnight the night before! Will definitely be more prepared on that front next time!

For at home, I used to have a bag I used that I would put all my bits and bobs in to take upstairs/downstairs. Saves doing too many stairs as ludways said.

[HerVagesty]

Entertainment!! Thats what I need to gather together, along with decent food to eat afterwards :) Thanks Coldtea

Good call on nighties/T-shirts as well, forgot about the catheter situation.

Ludways I went in to Primark (cheap and cheerful) and found THE most comfortable pants in the world. I've never known luxury like it!

Luckily I live in a bungalow so no stairs for me! Only stairs are a step out the front door

Just ordered a support band from ebay.... anyone used one afterwards? It's meant to help with movement and recovery apparently.

[frankiebuns]

My advice is not only nightie for first night make use of ur food table as a make shift dumping ground my spinaldidnt wear off quickly so was kinda stuck when dh went home at 9pm. I took loadsa treats in afterwards but never ate them. Tbh u dnt have much of an appitite

[HappyAsASandboy]

Some squash because the hospital water tastes horrible once it's sat in a plastic jug by your bed for a few hours.

A plastic bottle with a sports cap so you can drink lying down/semi reclined without dribbling down your chin.

Slip on slippers.

Flip flops for the shower/loo trips. The bathroom in my ward bay was a wet room, so wouldn't want to wear slippers in there.

Hair elastic with no metal bits. Can't remember why, but you're not allowed metal on your person during operation, so they tied my hair back with a bit of gauze

Spare pillow if you like more than the one squashy one allocated.

Baby wipes to wipe face/arms/other parts while in bed in a hot ward.

Your camera :)

[eatscakefornoreasonwhatsoever]

lots of info on breastfeeding (if you intend to) after a C-Section. It all flies out of your head!

I couldn;t bear anything tight against my scar, so not sure about the support band - think they advise fresh air. I used to dry it with a hairdryer after showers!

Fennel tea was lovely for indigestion and for helping with milk production. Phone charger. Camera.

Also you don't bleed as much after a section, so I was fine with standard pads from about the 2nd or 3rd day, which are rather more comfy than maternity pads, so maybe take both?

[eastmidswarwicknightnanny]

Eatscake lucky you I bled heavy for 6wks and total for 9wks go at 6wk check was monitoring.

I had lucky of electric bed all c sec patient get them this was 4yr ago.

Second t-shirt or nightie for after n if plan to breastfeed strappy nightie is easier.