aibu to not know what to pack for a c section? i don't have any support and my family are against c sections so I can't ask.

[sororitynoise]

hi everyone.

I'm quite new here and this is my first post (apart from comments)

I have an election section booked next month under the agreement of my psychiatrist due to sexual abuse trauma as a child from gang abuse.

My DH is the most wonderful, supportive man in the world but he doesn't know too much about sections apart from all of the research he does- which is medical not really experienced based.

My family know about my abuse but choose to ignore it and still associate with my abusers- so I've completely cut them out of my life, however my mother managed to drop in that 'elective c sections are terrible and wrong' before I managed to.

Please can someone advise me on what I need to bring to the hospital for baby and I? I plan to breastfeed.

I'm sorry to ask, I have tried really hard to research but I just can't find a coherent list I can understand.

I'm sorry to hear about what you've been through. In my experience of a c section all I needed in addition to the usual hospital bags things were soft lycra trousers without a solid waistband that could be pulled high above my wound (like yoga pants). Plus big knickers for the same reason. And a pillow to put between your wound and the seat belt for the journey home.

I had a crash section so a bit different. I'd say take what is normally advised for baby, then make sure you've got lots of comfortable clothes that won't sit on the c-section scar, so big granny knickers, maternity leggings and tops (it takes a little time for the bump to go away. If you want to breastfeed then you need loose tops or dresses that can be pulled down or up easily and comfortable nursing bras. Take lots of snacks and some squash or whatever you like to drink and lots of maternity pads!

Breastfeeding pillow may also be useful, or you can just take a normal pillow to start with.

As above plus if you can get them some flip flops (primark 90p ones are fine) or other water proof shoes for walking around, showering etc. Plus my feet have swollen both times and I couldn't get into normal shoes.

Hello, I am so sorry your family are unsupportive. I have had three c sections.

Pack pretty much what the online lists say add arnica, peppermint tea, some really soft nighties so nothing digs in, lots of maternity pads, huge knickers.

Good luck with your new baby

Hi, the one thing I would pack for a c-section is large granny knickers so that you don't have anything rubbing against your wound. Avoid the paper knickers they are really uncomfortable. Everything else as you would for a vaginal birth.

When you have researched is there anything that stands out as confusing?

Hi

Sorry you've had a difficult time

I took in comfy lose fitting clothes

Comfy pjs

Massive pants

Maternity pads

Breast pads

Thank you everyone.
I'm worried because I have wide love handles and thin legs! So granny knickers roll down!!!

big knickers! the type that reach up to your armpits ;-)

nah, granny knickers and extra pads (having one going across the inside ofthe knickers where the incision wound is can help keep it clean and dry)

snacks, drinks, things you can do while confined to a bed.

and the stuff you'd take anyway.

Ignore your family, they don't give caesarians without a bloody good reason!

Hi, agree with all the above. Also I was told to put a sanitary towel over the wound to cushion it and that really helped with the journey home. Definitely large sloggi type knickers and yoga pants

Ask for an extra pair of compression stockings or buy and bring your own spare. I only got given one pair and you have to keep wearing them for a while, much nicer to be able to change to a clean pair. Also, do you go to an ante-natal class? Mine did a role play of "who everyone is at a C-section" and while it seemed a bit at the time when I suddenly found myself having one it was actually v useful.

Firstly, sorry for the horrible things you've survived and well done for cutting out your unsupportive family.

I had an emergency cs so was a little underprepared but this is what I'd take and will be when I have DC2 in 6 months:

2 large soft bath towels
Always ultra nighttime sanitary towels
4/5 pairs of cotton pjs with button down tops
Travel sizes of your toiletries (face cream, shampoo etc)
Slippers with a grip or flip flops
Cardigan/shawl/pashmina
Energy drinks
Easy to eat snacks
Lots of HIGH FIBRE foods
Fybogel
Lactulose
Get your DH to bring nice food for you - hospital food was hideous
Battery powered reading light for nighttime
Headphones and charger

I know it sounds like loads but I found all that necessary.

One very serious warning: DO NOT allow yourself to become constipated and ensure you're 'empty' prior to op as everything slows down and you can get bunged up. Strict with fybogel and lactulose after op.

Congratulations - you'll be fine

so if I were to pack nighties would cheap primark ones be ok?

A few pair of leggings- can anyone reccomend a brand?
I have some large men's shirts I wear as they are comfy and fit!! So can I wear those for breastfeeding?

Agree with all PPs too!

I never bothered with granny pants op, just wore my normal boy short type pants and it was fine. Soft waistband on trousers like yoga pants are good though and you will need a nightie at first until they take your catheter out.

Another silly question- I'm like a Jackson 5 extra without my babyliss big hair- will I be able to dry it after a shower?

Elective sections are amazing (I may be slightly biased but honestly mine was so brilliant). I recommend the Tena/always pants for the first few days, much more secure than pads and come up way above the scar so no issues there. Definitely a nightie as you may have a catheter overnight (I didn't take one so ended up in vest top and pants). Space on the ward can be tight so take the minimum you think you'll need and leave everything else at home/in the car for your DP to bring in if you need it. I wore leggings, long tops and flip flops as the ward was boiling and I was very swollen all over afterwards. Take some snacks as you might get hungry overnight!

I'm sorry that your family are so unsupportive.
I'm due a baby soon and I've had to decide not to discuss birth preferences with my mother at all after two comments that left me

But elective c - sections are a perfectly valid choice, well done for choosing what's right for you.

I have no advice but I wanted to say best of luck and congratulations!!

The first 48 hours are the most painful after a c section so I would say don't worry about your hair! Make sure you have some decent pain killers in for when you get home. Codeine with paracetamol is your friend

Just saw your last post. My nightie was a large shirt type one from Primark so depending on how long your shirts are you might be fine just using those.

I found the primark support pants good OP. They didn't roll down and kept the pad in place over the wound for cushioning. Cheap too!

I would just get a turban or hair band and plan not to dry. It's a faff you don't need.

I've got very curly hair - lots of serum and tied back is all I needed.

I struggled with hair drying for a few days as it was quite sore to lift my arms up above my head so I'd say tie it up!