Hospital bag for c-section

[LilRedWG]

I know it's been done loads, but just wanted to run my list past you all, as I remember when I had DD four years ago I packed crap that I didn't need and not enough stuff that I did.

So far, for me, I have:

• Huge cheap granny pants from Tescos x 15
• Big fat maternity pads x 30
• Nightshirts/pjs
• Dressing gown
• Slippers
• Sleep nursing bras
• Nursing bras (need to buy)
• Toiletries
• Lansinoh cream
• Breast pads
• Books/magazines
• Phone and charger
• Sandwich for after when I am starving and the midwives can't find any food
• Lots of snacks
• Photos of DD and my Mum and Dad
• Present for DD from baby

For baby:

• Hats
• Vests
• Sleepsuits
• Nappies
• Cotton wool
• Muslins

So, what am I missing please? I know it will be something very obvious and probably for the baby .

You have the main thing Granny pants, tescos def did not have ones high enough for me though as I was hugggggggeeeeee, so had to send H to an old ladies shop to get super huge ones that came up to my arm pits as they kept rolling/slipping down onto my scar. If you find you need bigger ones markets quite often have stalls that sell biggies.

I would also consider some other foods as sandwiches might get a bit warm/ soggy/ yuck by the time you feel like eating. Even a packet of biscuits perhaps. OOPS i see you have "lots of snacks".

Cartons of fresh juice as constipation can be a problem, no fizzy juice as wind can also be a problem.

Chocolate and sweets - I must remember them. I have GD and am craving anything I'm not allowed to eat now. Fruit juice is a good one too. Thanks. :)

I actually found SunnyD was the only thing that got me moving, don't know if you can still buy that stuff. Lethal stuff but much more effective than fresh orange was.

Make sure you are wearing slip on shoes.

Flip flops for when you have to have a shower/go to bathroom. My experience made me glad I had flip flops with me!

Trackie bottoms, shoes, t-shirt to go home in?

Camera, you' haven't got a camera down.
Agree with flip flops, have you got a baby seat on your list?

Had my C section last week - my top tips would be:

Take your own pillows - hospital pillows are covered in plastic so not nice to sleep on and in short supply. I got 2 pillows for a fiver in M&S so we could ditch them if too much to carry home.

V pillow to position baby for feeding, keeps their weight off of your sore tummy.

Dark face flannels (and a mini hotel soap bar) so I could have a wash after the op. Bliss ! Again got cheap ones (ASDA) and binned them.

Something to get meconium off your babys bum - lotion or baby oil. Water alone won't shift it.

Snacks-wise I took lots of dried fruit and managed to avoid the dreaded constipation.

Hair band if you have long hair to keep it out of the sterile field when they are putting the spinal in.

Baby blanket looks better in photos than a hospital towel. I also took a Grobag swaddling blanket which was fab as you don't have to unwrap baby to move to and from the crib.

I only used a baby vest to come home, the hospital was boiling. Likewise don't take a thick fleecy dressing gown.

Otherwise list looks great. You really don't need much baby stuff anyway. Good luck with your C section. Hope you enjoy the experience as much as I did.

Lots of fantastic ideas. Thank you all. :)

Peppermint tea bags to help the wind that people have mentioned - I found these very soothing, although I sometimes had to beg for hot water...I sent DH to the cafe for cups of hot water quite a lot

Chocolate

wet toilet wipes ( sorry if tmi)
Fybergel for constipation
definetely peppermint tea
Arnica for bruising
Lansiloh!

I had an elective section 2 weeks ago and it was such a positive experience that restored my faith in the NHS
hope you have as lovely an experience as me!

oh and I second the chocolate!

Can I add lip balm to that list please and apply it before you head to theatre. My mouth/lips got horrifically dry once the jab to shift the placenta was administered

Thank you all. :)

can i ask about arnica,i am having my section on Thursday,how much arnica and when to take it thanks,when is yours op?

Peppermint oil capsules, to deal with trapped wind, if you get it. Holland and Barret sell them, I guess any healthfood shop will. They work, and give you lovely minty burps too!

Small bottle of olive oil to put on baby's bum after cleaning - helps the meconium slide off sooo much easier.

Big sports cap type bottle for water. I mean the kind with a flip top or spout - a gym bottle. You'll want to drink LOTS of water, which will help you stop getting constipated - and the best thing is a large refillable bottle that you can leave lying on the bed near you, within reach, without it leaking. And that you can use one handed, when you are BF-ing/holding baby etc.

Otherwise you keep having to ask people to give you water - hospital cups are the size of a thimble, and you'll end up drinking less than you need.

So glad I found this thread as I have to have an ELCS this time.

How many nappies and clothes do you take for the baby given that you may have a slightly longer stay?

Also what do you wear afterwards when you aren't in nightdress etc? I have some tracksuits and jogging bottoms but they all sit on my hips and I am thinking that this is not going to be a good idea and they will be on my scar.

Thanks all - will get bags packed tonight as I'm 37 weeks today and DH is starting to flap. :)

Good luck for Thursday ledkr.

Maternity yoga trousers are great for afterwards.

Get extra nappies and clothes brought in aferwards as otherwise you'll have loads of unneccessary stuff to be shifted around.

A big coloured towel is a must IMO. And a marker pen to label food/drinks for the patients kitchen.

A CD for theatre is good. I had my natal hypnotherapy music playing.

Re: Big pants. Primark do them too.

Bugger - forgot towels. Well reminded, thanks.

I'd suggest a summer weight nightie, I bought primark ones which were far too hot and had to wear hospital gowns back to front for the two days I was in. A dressing gown is good for when you walk to theatre in nothing but your gown that opens at the back!

Def recommend 'big' pants, I took them and paper ones and my nurse said cotton will be less scratchy, still using them 3 weeks later as they don't rub my scar.
Good luck!

PS I got DH to pack the bag so he knew where everything was, glad too as there was no way I could bend down and pick it up the next day.