ELCS - how many maternity pads to pack?

[BrassicaBabe]

Hi

I'm 27 weeks pregnant with twins and starting to think about packing my hospital bag.

I'm having a planned CS and preparing to stay in hospital for up to 5 days.

How many maternity pads do I need? Or do I need them at all? Don't they just suck all of the gunk out while they are in there?! (I'm trying to avoid turning up at hospital with a trailer full of stuff! )

Thanks
x

You will need them still but maybe for not quite as long as with vaginal birth. I think my friend who had c-section said she used them for a bit over a week.

It sounds gross but get some tena lady incontinence knickers and use a pad in those for night time at least. It saves you worrying about any leaks.

I think I probably changed pads every couple of hours for the first day or two. Your DH can always bring extra packs in when he comes to visit you.

I had a CS 3 weeks ago and packed 2 packs of pads (10 in each) but I was only in 2 days and the midwifes changed me for the first afternoon and night after having my c-sect because of not being able to get up and they used their own then. They also put incontinence sheets underneath you because you cant wear knickers because of the catheter.
Its a bit TMI but i didnt loose much stuff whilst not moving then when i first got up it all kind of flowed out then there wasnt much after that compared to my previous vaginal birth.
Could you just take a couple of packs and get someone to bring you in more if you need them?

It's not about 'sucking out all the gunk'. When the placenta is detached from the uterine wall you are still left a wound the size of a dinner plate. Everyone is different - I had a VB but only had lochia for a couple of weeks. Others can have more than the 'usual' six weeks.

Ok. Thanks. That's been helpful. (Trying not to mentally stick my fingers in my ears and go "la la la"! )

I found the disposable knickers a bit scratchy on the incision, so I'd recommend huge granny pants from Tesco or similar. Good luck with it all and congrats on your twins.

BTW I had a big bleed about 6 days just after my milk came in. I also had big afterpains at the time (which were like the biggest period pains ever) although my scar didn't really hurt at all while I was taking the meds. I say this only because no-one had told me this might happen and I totally freaked and went back to hospital.

I think the NCT has a page on its site about what's normal and what's not in post-partum bleeding.

I used maternity pads as a cushion over the scar to stop knicker elastics from digging in and just to give it a little bit of extra protection. Don't remember how many I used last time, but only put a couple of packs into my bag, the husband can always get me more if I need them.