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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

What do i need to take to hospital for an ELCS?

7 replies

Ilovechops · 13/01/2015 17:01

Been googling this for a while...trying to get my hospital bag sorted / ordered and don't know what I will need specifically for an ELCS? I will be staying 48hrs minimum as that's the policy at the hospital I am at.

PJs or nightie?? I've read conflicting advice

Big knickers - any particular style?

Tummy belt thing - can anyone recommend?

Peppermint tea - is that right for wind?

Slippers or flip flops?

Anything else?

Thanks

OP posts:
scratchandsniff · 13/01/2015 20:29

Apparently peppermint oil/tea can interfere with milk production but you'll def want something. On another thread someone said deflatine/windeze OK.

Front opening nightie if planning to BF

Feeding pillow

Massive knickers

Arnica tablets to help with healing

Flannel

Towel

Your own pillow from home

Baggy trousers for going home in

jmojo · 13/01/2015 20:31

Long answer alert...

Nightie for the first night at least in case you still have a catheter in!

Big knickers (thing a good few sizes bigger than your regular size), if they fit you pregnant then they will fit after (you still have a bump after). Make sure they reach your belly button as if they are lower they can rub on your scar once the dressing is removed. Take black (to mask any leaks) and maybe 2 pairs per day in case you want to change if you do leak (bleeding can be heavy the first day or two, and increases when you feed, if you are breast feeding).

Tummy belt....do you mean those things that cinch you in and give support? You would need to wait a few days for something like that it would be too painful at first. Talk to the physio if you see one pre going home. You only want medium support (we used to recommend medium support knickers to women) as you want to use your muscles a little to get them back in shape. Total support means you don't use them very much. Our physios only recommended support belts to those with symphysis pubis dysfunction.

Peppermint tea is great for wind (most of the morphine I gave out was for pain from wind rather than direct scar pain! It can be quite sore.) Fennel tea is good too but works on helping your milk production.

Slippers or flip flops - up to you. You can wear flipflops in the shower which some women prefer when they are sharing (make sure they have a grip sole so you don't slip over!)

The usual stuff, feeding bras, dressing gown, toiletries, hair brush, sanitary towels (night time ones work just as well as maternity ones make sure they are for a heavy flow). Make sure any clothes you have are dark in colour so any breast milk leaks/blood leaks are hidden. I used to see all these women in beautiful white cotton pj's or nightgowns and then they were ruined by blood stains! Take a couple of snacks too. You can get hungry/thirsty when you are feeding and there isn't always something to eat on the ward. Lansinoh for your nipples (if you are breast feeding). You don't usually leak until the milk is in but a few breast pads just in case. Your ipod or something to listen to to block out noise from other people's visitors, or just to relax. Baby clothes too but there are lots of feeds on here with lists for that.

I also used to tell women to pack a small extra bag of baby stuff and clothes for you (sanitary pads etc) in case you have to stay a little longer (say the baby isn't feeding). Leave it at home by the door. Then your husband/friend can just pick it up and you don't have to worry about lists of clothes etc and you get everything you want. I remember a husband being sent home for more knickers and returning with 4 thongs...not too good for keeping big maternity pads on! hehe

trilbydoll · 13/01/2015 20:33

Flips flops, hospitals are boiling. Nightie at first while the catheter is in and you can't really move then pjs for day 2.

Phone charger.

mumonashoestring · 13/01/2015 20:39

Everything jmojo said Grin but I would add to that a non-linting, not too fluffy towel. You'll want to keep everything clean but you don't want to catch your stitches on a huge thick fluffy towel, or having to pick lint off them after a shower.

I don't know what kind of maternity clothes you've gone for, but I found that the combats I had with an elastic bump band were useless after my EMCS. Great in terms of size as you gradually 'deflate' but the hem where the band joined the trousers sat right on (and rubbed) my stitches and I ended up living in PJ bottoms till I could send DH out for trackie bottom type trousers.

almondfinger · 13/01/2015 21:15

antihistamines. When the morphine wears off and you start itching saves you having to wait a couple of hours for a midwife to come and dispense one.

flip flops instead of slippers, you can rinse/sterilise them after. I threw the slippers I brought to hospital in the bin on the way out! Big ASDA knickers and Primark nightdress. Again made it home and the nightdress to the bin. The knickers followed as soon as my scar was healed.

Snacks, oat cakes, fruit, 9 bars/naked bars. Nettle tea bags. I drank loads of the stuff (stuck in for a week). It's very cleansing so helps with the blood loss and general well being.

Arnica, is amazing. If you can get 200C, you might have to get it from a homeopathic chemist - Helios are Ainsworths (they will post). Take before the Op, as soon as you can after, then 3 hourly for the first 3 days and 3 times daily for a couple of weeks thereafter. My scar was dry and healing on day 2 (I am not a fast healer) and I never had a problem with it.

MERLYPUSSEDOFF · 13/01/2015 21:24

Eye mask (like the ones you get on the plane) and ear plugs in case ou get the same stupid cow next to you that I had. Moaned to her OH all night on her mobile and played candy crush with the volume full up. Sports drink bottle and squash. Ipod/tablet

Ilovechops · 13/01/2015 21:45

Thanks all great tips! This is second baby so I'm ok on the baby clothes side of things but it's amazing what you forget in three years!!

Meelypussedoff...that sounds horrendous, I think I would have stolen her phone ;-) I know how awful the ward can be, was on it for 4 nights last time and hated it but was too afraid to use eye mask / ear plugs because of baby crying...? Although DH will be there most evenings so perhaps I could use when he is there.

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