Hospital bag and post-ELCS clothes?

[Aworryingtrend]

I am 30 weeks and booked in for an ELCS and starting to think about what I will need. Other than the lists of what to take which are aimed at VB, what else will I need for after a c-section? I have arnica tablets and peppermint tea on the list after reading about them on here, can you think what else I may need?

Also what sort of clothes would be best to avoid irritating my scar? Would it be things like yoga pants? I normally wear dresses and leggings/tights but I guess these would not be the most comfortable?

TIA

Big Granny style Knickers, the ones where the waistband actually sits on your waist so that it does not rub on the scar or slide down the remains of your bump to rub on it.

Floaty dresses would be fine if the weather is nice. I stuck to high waisted leggings and casual trousers (linen type in summer) but anything with a high waist really.

Yoga pants is what I lived in before and after both my sections. I felt more secure in them than floaty dresses.

Yes yoga pants are the best.

I had a pair of lovely snuggly maternity pjs from Mothercare, over the bump ones. I lived in those and a couple of pairs of yoga pants for the first 2-3 weeks.

Thanks all. Do you have any recommendation for semi-smart yoga pants for short arses (I am 5 foot 1) that you wouldn't mind wearing to greet visitors? Never bought them before so not sure where is best.

TIA

I recommend Sloggi knickers. They gave me support, and held my tummy muscles up.

Shoes you can slip your feet in to easily. My feet got very swollen after my section.

And remember to bring un slip in shoes but
Not flip flops as u will wear stockings for blood circulation after birth fir ages. Only flipglops for shower

Leggings are OK if they're high-waisted - I bought some cheap supermarket ones a couple of sizes bigger than normal and lived in those with long tunic tops over for the first few weeks.

I hardly used anything that I took into hospital, apart from the essentials for the baby. All but a few bits that would fit on the bedside table had to be kept in a floor-level locker and it was too painful bending down that low too often...

Mothercare do them in a short length - I think only online though rather than in store. Everywhere else they are made for giraffe people

I also recommend getting some big knickers, I got 4 over-bump pairs which were brilliant for comfyness and also for holding maternity pads and the dressing on my scar in place.
Oh god I had forgotten how unglamorous it all is to start with - it won't last long!

Aside from making sure your knickers are big (even better, enormous) you don't need much different whether it's a vb or a section. Straws are good for not having to bend for sipping drinks and don't forget your feet might be huge, and you'll still look pregnant for months a few days after!

Oh, also best to buy the ENORMOUS knickers in black/navy/red, basically any colour that won't stain too badly after washing as the lochia (sp?) is no different to a VB in the weeks that follow the birth.

Just don't make the same mistake my friend made - you will still basically be the same size after birth as you were before, your bump and hips, thighs and boobs will all still be as big as when you were pregnant, boobs may be even bigger, so maternity wear will still be essential for a while, don't take smaller clothes to the hospital

I spent the fortnight after my cs in my maternity dresses! Yoga pants or leggings, vest tops and cardies/hoodies worked well when I wasn't facing the public. After a week or so, when my scar was less vividly sore, I wore my over-the-bump maternity jeans, with huge knickers underneath to cover the scar they were still comfy.

Black towels! Black everything lol. Lots of maternity pads (not slimline!), big knickers, or mens trucks (lots of space at the front lol). I found some lovely pjs that were basically leggings and a front opening jersey top in matalan last time, hoping to repeat the trick this time.

Lipbalm and handcream, for while you're in hospital, straws so people can easily hand you drinks. Snacks, lots of snacks, hospital food was definitely minimum rations, I've no idea how you're supposed to survive on it, never mind nurush yourself and a newborn. Oh and some lovely, expensive shower gel and shampoo for your first shower

I got these Yoga pants post CS last winter. They should be fine for you OP as I am 5'8" and they are far too short for me. They are lovely otherwise, really nice quality fabric, very "secure" feeling.

Don't pack anything "under bump" because this is the same as "on the scar".

Also - sports bottle for water, so you can drink lying down and shower gel in a bottle on a hook. Crocs/big slippers or something you can put on your feet without having to lean down.

Lots of cheap big pants from Primark or somewhere, that you can bin ceremonisously in a few weeks time.

I got some non maternity yoga pants from Sainsbury. Their short fitting was ok for me and I'm 5ft 2

Thanks everyone. good tip about the straws, drinking bottle and snacks.

Lancs, did you buy your pre-preg size in Sainsburys or go up a size or two as i may need to?

I went up a size. Been wearing them in pregnancy and plan to wear after birth. (not now as too hot)

If you're planning on bf then get some fennel tea or mother's helper tea. It helps your milk come in and also acts as a diuretic which can help with the swollen ankles etc.

And remember to eing the dann bell every single time you want anything, anything at all. Don't be fooled into feeling like a nuisance or incompetent. You need their help. Ask for the help. Don't struggle. I wish someone had told me this, but I had emcs and no time to prepare.

Best of luck xxx

Ps - hairdryer is good for drying the wound

Sweaty Betty yoga pants rock and come in different lengths, but only come in black. Otherwise I'd own more! About £55, but worth it!