After a C-section: what do you need/ what gifts would you like to receive?

[IndigoRouge]

My sister in law is going to give birth by C-section this week to her first baby. We are getting her a couple of gifts (baby stuff that they need) but I'd also like to put together a package of things for herself that she will need or that would be nice to have during the recovery and early newborn phase. Some friends did that for me with my first baby and it was lovely, so I later did the same for another friend - things like chocolate, breast pads, few baby supplies... and oddly I can't really remember what else. Plus I've never had a section and the recovery will obviously be different from my experiences.

I would love your suggestions for anything you found really useful in this phase, things you didn't realise you would need, or gifts you really appreciated. Many thanks!

I’m prepping for my own section at the moment (SVD last time so this is a whole new experience!) and keep reading how useful a Snugglebundl is for the post-natal period - helps to avoid bending and lifting and cosy for the winter in the car seat - also much safer than wearing a coat. Maybe not the kind of thing she’d buy for herself as it’s on the pricey side but could make a super gift.

Massive pants. The kind that go all the way to your armpits. Not paper ones.

Although that might be an odd gift...

Ah, thanks for the tip Nuffing, I've not heard of the Snugglebundl, will look into it

Tea I remember buying myself pretty massive pants (black cotton, so it wouldn't matter if they got blood on them) but am trying to decide if she'll be dreadfully embarrassed to receive these from us (among other things, I wouldn't just give her pants!)...

Another vote for massive pants! And high waisted leggings.

My biggest issue was not being able to lift baby for the first couple of weeks (doctor’s orders, not incapable just not advised to bend and lift in that way) and having to wake up DH who’d sleep through a space rocket taking off in the bedroom. I would have appreciated a waking device of some kind! I ended up with missiles on the bedside table to throw at him (he was in the same room but in a separate bed as he’s a tosser and turner and would disturb us and my bandages!).

Some really lovely Charlie Bingham meals
Easy to just pop in the oven and have a lovely dinner without thinking about it.

A big good quality water bottle.

I had my first c-section ten months ago. I needed lots of strong painkillers, massive (and I mean MASSIVE) undies, high waisted leggings, I had extremely lovely soft black pyjamas which were nice and peppermint tea for the trapped wind.

Honestly, the trapped wind is excruciating after a c-section and peppermint tea really really helps.

Great - these are good ideas. And the water bottle reminds me that with my second baby I got myself one of those lidded cups that keeps your tea warm... after weeks for being unable to finish a cup of tea after my first born, and being scared of scalding the baby...

nonmerci ouch, I feel for you. Peppermint tea is a great idea. I seem to remember fennel seed tea being (supposedly) good for a colic-y breastfeed baby too (if the mother drinks it) although she may not enjoy that so much. It's all starting to come back to me now!

Definitely peppermint tea.

Arnica tablets.

Lanolin nipple cream.

Maternity pads, I also would use these over wound to dry it after shower.

I used hibiscrub in bath, about a capful.

Biscuits.

Windeze tablets are fantastic too. Oh and infacol for the baby just in case the baby has trapped wind too!

Peppermint tea
Aloe Vera gel - I was so itchy after all the strange sticky monitor pads and also go heat rash on my back from not being very mobile the first few days
Big shirt type nightdress - good for feeding and also not pressing on scar
Large water bottle
Lots of easy dinners / snacks
Dry shampoo maybe to feel a bit better for visitors coming
Large knickers but that may be an odd gift

One of Best things for me post section was my mum labelling up all my meds, A,B,C etc and then writing me up a timetable
6am 2xA and 1xc
9am 1xb Etc
Time would fly by and I could rely on me or DH being sleep deprived but still kept on top of meds!

Its 23 years since my first C section but definitely don't take her a bottle of Radox bubble bath which is what H's close friends wife brought me!! The last thing I had time for was a freaking bath! In her defence, she hadn't had children at that stage .
Chocolate is good.

The nightdress also - cotton one which buttons up the front but good quality so the buttons don't undo themselves during sleep times
Plenty of boxes of man sized tissues to keep handy wherever baby might be feeding around the house

Complete opposite here. I bounced back quite quickly from my c section (discharged myself early as baby ended up in Neonatal). What I need is exercise classes now (four month later) to bridge the gap from that bounce and my previous fitness level. See also, healthy food options as I massively underestimated the allure of cake when sleep deprived.

Yes, I remember well the allure of cake as an antidote to sleep deprivation

Thanks all, I have quite a full list of ideas now so will get cracking on it...

It’s already been said but another vote for a Snugglebundl - it was an absolute lifesaver after my section and worked like magic for soothing DS. He’s nearly 4 months now and only just outgrowing being rocked in it.

If she doesn't already have some, backless slippers (the ones you can just push your feet into) so that she doesn't have to bend down to keep putting them on with her C-section scar.

One of these:

NoMore! Litter - Rubbish Debris Pick Up Picker Reaching Mobility Tool 76cm Best Extension Aid (1) www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01NCUT74B/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0qnGDbZ776PTE?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

For real. Absolute game changer. Means you don’t feel like weeping when you drop a muslin or nappy on the floor.

Someone gave me a big pair of good quality track pants. Which I thought was odd until after when they were one of the only things that didn't rub my waist and were so comfy.

A support band or shorts might be good too for the section and tummy area.

A friend also gave me a stand for my baby bath.

Peppermint tea - but a good quality one like Tea Pigs
Biscuits
Savoury snacks - my blood pressure was so low I needed the salt
Bio oil for the scar

A cleaner for a few hours...

Six foot charger lead.
Bodum thermal mug
Ready meals (Charlie Bingham but cook vouchers also. I will definitely be getting myself cook vouchers if I had another baby)
Stretchy wrap sling
Triangle pillow
Weleda calendula stuff (specifically nappy cream but the hand cream was also lovely with all the hand washing)

Some of these have been mentioned before, but I'll second their votes:

A cleaner who can come once or twice a week.
Large water bottle.
A reading light to keep by the bed in case she wakes at night but can't sit up and wants to read.
Magazines that are easy to read or a subscription to something like Netflix that shows totally brainless tv.
Easy to eat luxury food that requires no prep. Someone sent us a small hamper of fancy cheeses, crackers, and salami and it was so, so good.

In my part of the world people do a 'meal train'. Friends take it in turns to show up at your door with a freshly prepared meal, hand it over, then leave. It was amazing.

DH bought me a lovely, soft Egyptian cotton towel when I was in hospital after a c section. It was lovely to have a shower and use it.

The things I used most were big, soft pants, a pashmina/scarf that could be used as a blanket, scarf or when breastfeeding and loads of chocolate digestives