What useful things can I do or bring for a friend who has had c-section?

[ocelot41]

A dear friend of mine has just had a planned c-section for no. 2. I have no experience of this as mine arrived the other way!

What would be useful for me to do, bring or ask? She does have a lovely DH and a MiL coming to stay too. But just trying to be supportive...

Something nice to eat that she can just bung in the oven, baby clothes not in newborn size if your want to bring a gift. Pretty much the usual!

Just expect her to be immobile on the sofa when your visit, if you coo over her baby and bring her a cuppa I'm sure she'll be made up.

One thing not to do (and since you're thoughtful enough to ask here, I'm sure you wouldn't dream of it!) is to wander off holding the baby if you have a cuddle. She won't be able to get up and follow easily and will get anxious. (Looking at you for that one, FIL!)

Apologies that 'you' became 'your' twice in that post!

Agree with food - the nicest thing a friend did for me was bring a casserole, veg and a pudding and a bottle of wine. It was a lovely thought.

You could also offer to do some housework, but be specifc ie: shall I clean the bathroom? Can I do a bit of ironing? It can be a bit over whelming if someone just says 'tell me what to do'.

Egog - we are all different, I loved people cuddling my baby and giving me a bit of 'space'.

You could order her a Graze box. It's really handy to have yummy healthy snacks instead of biscuits

Agree don't walk off with the baby!

I remember my well meaning friend doing this after my cs #1 and I wanted to scream at her

Just make her a cuppa and let her lie on the sofa don't let her do ANYTHING

A good present would be really posh bath stuff as soaking in the bath really helps. my dh bought me a big bottle of lovely Clarins stuff after cs #2

Or even better, If you know her really well and she wouldn't be offended get her a bamboo belly bandit, it's a post birth support band and feels great after a cs. but also helps flatten your belly, bonus!

Offer to take her (&baby) out for a coffee somewhere, that you can park very close too.

I felt very trapped at home, so it was great when friends took me out after a couple of weeks.

That's a good point about offering lifts, I had moved to a new area shortly before DS was born (by EMCS) and didn't feel I knew anyone well enough to ask for a lift to the local baby clinic so ordered a taxi. It would be a lovely gesture to offer to drive a friend somewhere.

BTW I later found out it is an urban myth that you cannot drive after a CS but check with your own insurer first.

Alas, don't have a car...all good suggestions though thanks!

I would make a cake and yy to a nice hearty meal like cottage pie.

Chocolate
Hand cream
Cake