Gift for friend after c-section

[domesticdiva]

Hello

After some advice really! My lovely neighbour has just given birth to her DD3 after a pretty traumatic emergency c-section. She had planned a VB at home as is the custom here (not in UK). I want to give her a gift to celebrate her new daughter, so was going to get a baby bouquet but would really like to get her something too. Any ideas as to a present? For those who have had c-sections what was the one thing which you couldn't live without or wished you had? I never had a c-section with my DC's so can't imagine the discomfort for her .

Thanks Mners

[Barmix]

How about some homemade food for her fridge or freezer? Trays of lasagne, cottage pie (or whatever she likes) etc that she can heat up in the oven with minimal fuss?
I had a CS and was pretty immobile - you can move about a little but anything so she won't need to stand to prepare and cook would be great help I'm sure.

[Beesok]

I haven't had a C-section or given birth yet (soon I hope!) but I agree with Barmix and if you can't/don't want to cook a nice "food" hamper with some cakes, biscuits, teas, snacks would probably be just as good - am sure cooking etc will be the last thing on her mind and it's always nice to get a little treat and if she doesn't eat it herself she'll have it for guests :)

hmmm I might give my friends this tip too - with a list of my favourite treats ;)

[GlaikitFizzogOnaNeepyLantern]

Can you do hair? Like a blow dry? When I had my CS the last thing I wanted to do was stand and blow dry my hair. I agree food parcel is good. also if you know her well enough an offer to hoover or mop the floors.

[QTPie]

Depends on how well supported she is... If she isn't, then I agree - something practical: home cooked food, babysitting etc.

Food is a tricky one.... I was VERY weight conscious straight after I gave birth and was horrified that my mum gave me a HUGE box of luxury chocolates two days after delivery. However, I was breastfeeding, eating like a horse, hungry as anything and ate all the chocolates too. Lost all the baby weight in two weeks and breastfeeding compelled me to a new cake addiction.... So despite being horrified by the calorie loaded gift, I ended up appreciating it!

If she is well supported and you are looking for a "pamper" gift, then the best thing I appreciated was a full body massage (a few months after the birth). You are shattered, your body has been used and abused.... a massage is just heaven!

QT

[MiauMau]

My sister had a very traumatic c-section last week, and her birthday is in couple of week's time, so I'm putting together a happy kit. Only one of the presents is baby related everything else is for relaxation purposes only. I find that people tend to give a lot of baby gifts if your birthday or Christmas is around your child's birth and forget about the mother.
Here's what I got:
-small bag of fancy rococo chocolates (really really small)
-cowshed relaxing candle and bath salts
-a lovely glass bauble for my niece's very first Christmas
-colouring book (my sister loves them, just because she's a mother now why should she stop, if it makes her happy)
Still pondering if I should add a nice cup and some relaxing tea.
You don't need to spend much to create something sweet and meaningful. Just don't make it too practical (like bottles or baby clothes), your neighbour already has nappies and feeding to deal with

[mumblecrumble]

Sounds trite perhaops but i loved my MASSIVE bunch of flowers :)

Something to remind her that life will get back to normal......

Sorry, not very helpful really, too tired.....

[redexpat]

I requested a boire nose strip from my fellow expat out here. Hospital lighting made me realise how dire my skin was.

Nice cordial to break the monotony of water when breastfeeding?

Small amounts of a variety of fruit.

Bite sized cakes. Clubs?

New pjs.

Hot pad/hot water bottle.

[WworthMummy]

Some really nice sweat pants; can't bear anything round your middle other than these for a long time.

[Catonkey]

If you can get it where you are, a big bottle of Badedas, I found it so soothing as my C-section wound healed.