Thanks for the tips all, going to respond after next feed sleep cycle but Whilst I have a moment and remember, wanted to share this, my C-Section essentials for hospital and first few days home, or 'what I would do if there was a next time'. Nothing but a badly written ramble so ignore at will- I've only had 3 hours sleep 😂
For hospital:
Sports cap water bottles - I couldn't lean and pour from jug, especially with a baby in cannulated arms. I also couldn't undo some screw tops. Sports cap can sit in the bed next to you and can be used one handed.
Silicone ear plugs in case you get held on a ward pre op, and good eye masks for both you and DP in case they stay over post op.
2 extra pillows (they don't always have enough and propping is needed)
Mesh hospital knickers (cheap from amazon) to let your scar breathe- I found everything else too tight and you leak a lot of bloody fluid after so need something to secure a pad. Also good as you can clearly see if wound is weeping without pulling knickers down.
Lots has been said about snacks but the one handed open and eat thing is key- I had canulas in both hands and a baby, which was trickier than I thought. I wished I'd had energy balls, fruit, rice pudding pots, yoghurt drinks and plastic cutlery...I was missed off some meal rounds by accident so even ordered some salads from deliveroo at one point 😁
For when you get home...I wished I had:
Set up a table by the bed before going into hospital with bottles of water, boxes of snacks, fruit bowl, somewhere for painkillers and meds, Muslins, wet wipes, headphones, phone charger, books and if you feel that way inclined, an emergency stash of ready to drink formula. All should be easy to reach one handed and without twisting or leaning. This will give you a little bit of independence at a time when you are almost entirely dependent on OH!
I had problems BF initially due to my LO's tongue tie/poor latch and crap advice in the post natal ward. Nipples were in bits and I was crying trying to feed-had to stop by day 4 as they were bleeding too much. Cue rush around for formula. In those first few hours, prepping bottles was a total stress when the boy was screaming blue murder and you can't get down the stairs because of the wound and neither if you know the guidance on sterilising and storing...I now have a stock of the 70ml aptamil first bottles next to the bed for emergencies-ready to drink, no refrigeration or prep needed. Whatever your intentions long term, if you can't feed at 3am for whatever reason, it's good to know you're covered...
Also make sure anything you need like maternity pads and fresh mesh knickers are within easy reach in the bathroom- no bending down necessary, just have everything right there at arm level.
I'm sure all this sounds really obvious to you more experienced and organised bunch but I was in the less well prepped club and wish I'd thought about some of this before...steep learning curve indeed!
Good luck to those still to pop