ELCS and hospital bag

[fhdl34]

I have my hospital bag list from last time and it's packed with all the usual bumph but I had an emcs last time so packed for a vaginal birth.
Is there any different stuff you have included when having an elcs? The only thing I can think of is hair dryer that blows cool air as last time my wound reopened 12 days post birth and took 5 months of daily packing and dressing before it closed again so I want to be shit-hot on keeping it clean and dry this time.
Anything else I should think about adding?

Also, last time I had 3 bags (labour bag, one for me and one for baby) but not taking half the crap in I did last time so have got it all into one and thought I'd just take a smallish shoulder bag in for the birth with babygros/hat/nappy/camera. Did anyone else do this? Am thinking dh can go and get bag and plethora of pillows once I'm out for recovery.

Ribena. Because I knew I would be on the ward for a bit and ribena makes me happy.

More changes of pyjamas for me.

Very big pants.

And stuff to do. We had to be in the hospital at 8am but DD wasn't born until nearly 4pm. So kindle, crossword, crochet.. whatever keeps you busy.

Wipes for the loo seat just in case it's a bit manky - you won't have any stomach muscles to help you hover!

Yes, as Matilda says you will need maternity pads. I took normal sanitary towels and these were not enough. I was surprised by blood loss as after first EMCS I didn't have much loss at at all.

Dried, soft fruit is good to get things moving again. I took apricots.

Just wanted to second the lactulose, loo wipes, wish you good luck and commiserate as you have just reminded me of those awful stockings!!!!

Lactulose and fybogel is good!

Thanks all, I have most of those packed apart from lactulose and wind tablets as had no issues with either (although was so exhausted after emcs I wouldn't remember wind pain anyway). I had no problem pooing last time, happened before I'd even had my catheter out on the next day (probably all the fig rolls I was eating)

Do you bleed more after an elcs rather than an emcs then? Last time I had some very thick pads which weren't really necessary and I soon swapped to nighttime body form pads. This time I have got some maternity pads and the body form ones too just in case it's heavier this time.

Hadn't thought of flip flops, had just packed normal slippers. Would worry about slipping in crocs, i'm clumsy at the best of times

Stupidly it never occurred to me that I'd need to e careful with what pyjamas I wore after my elcs so I ended up haing to sleep in underwear the first night home from the hospital. Don't do this - have a plan for some over the bump big PJ bottoms (or a warm enough nightie) for when you come home.

Sorry that doesn't quite answer your question and probably youre more sensible than me and had a plan for that already!

Drinks bottle with a sports cap lid - can drink at any incline then!
Ribena - water in the ward jugs warms up quick. Slightly warm ribena is better than slightly warm water.
Extra pillow
Notepad and pen to write stuff down. Questions for MW, stuff you want DH to get from home, what time visiting time is .....
Peppermint tea bags - fixed my wind pain so quickly.
Nighty for while catheter is in.
High waisted pj's to go over scar and padding.
Small mirror so can brush hair in bed.
Baby wipes so can wash hands/face in bed.

Good luck :)

I've got Capri sun pouches as I took those last time. We kept them in the freezer at home and dh brought a few in each day but they went fast so I think I might get some cordial.
I have 2 nighties packed and 1 pair of pjs plus other pjs and nighties for when i get home. They are all massive so no issues with resting on the wound (pants are huge oversized things too, used them last time).
Actually last time I took sports cap water in that was also frozen and that lasted over a day slowly defrosting, will do the same this time I think although I drink water at a vast rate so even on the ward it didn't have time to get warm.
All great tips/reminders thank you :)

definitely a few nighties/pj's. I felt really manky after my C-section and a change of pj's every day would have helped I think.