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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Naive C-section question!

31 replies

TwoDrifters · 12/12/2015 22:26

I know this may be a stupid question (!) but what does one wear for a C-section?!

At the moment, my baby is breech and unless he turns in the next fortnight, they have booked me in for an ELCS.

I am packing my bag ready for the hospital and assume I will need clothes/provisions for at least a couple of nights but what does one wear during the procedure itself (if anything)?!

TIA for any help/advice!

OP posts:

WildStallions · 12/12/2015 22:28

A hospital gown.

SisterMoonshine · 12/12/2015 22:29

They give tou one of those hospital gowns.
You know, those awful ones.

Doublebubblebubble · 12/12/2015 22:32

Yup hospital gown - x I asked if I could wear my special nighty (I was also naive) for my emcs (I had stopped progressing at 5cms, ds had pooed and was 10lb 1 - he wasnt in distress though so it was an emcs that we could plan around. Hospital gowns are best because you don't want tour giblets getting on your nice clothes x

eurochick · 12/12/2015 22:32

Yep. A hospital gown. I recommend nighties for afterwards. Nothing with a waistband, and pjs don't work with a catheter.

Original poster

TwoDrifters · 12/12/2015 22:35

Thanks all! I didn't know whether I could keep a bra/vest top on or not (!)

eurochick So would you say a long nightshirt with leggings would be a "no" due to waistband issues?

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Doublebubblebubble · 12/12/2015 22:36

You can also buy delightful netty knickers from wilkos for about £1. Also make sure that your slippers are slip on... God did I learn my mistake by getting slipper socks...ouch!

lilone1234 · 12/12/2015 22:38

Make sure you have very big knickers for after. They need to be above the belly button for weeks afterwards! (15 months later I'm still wearing them...)

Doublebubblebubble · 12/12/2015 22:38

Umm for the bra I didn't wear one because I wanted skin to skin as soon as my ds was born + for breastfeeding... I think its up to you though x

Laquila · 12/12/2015 22:40

I'd advise taking a couple of nighties, some "full briefs" in the next size up (Sainsburys or M&S), slippers that you can slip your feet into without having to bend down, and a light dressing gown. You'll prob be wearing surgical stockings for a day or two, though, so be prepared to look a bit odd in your nighty and knee-length socks 😄

I had maternity (over-bump) joggers on for a week or so once I was home.

MurlockedInTheCellarHelpUs · 12/12/2015 22:40

You can ask to keep the hotel gown untied for the op if you want to (and are able to) do skin to skin in theatre.

In my experience you won't want anything like leggings for a good couple of days - your tummy is going to be very sore. Huge t-shirts and really baggy yoga/sweat pants are your best bet, but make sure the waistband pulls right up over your belly button or it's going to be painful.

You won't be wearing anything except mesh knickers that they'll put on you for the first 24hrs after surgery anyway, under the bedsheets.

candykane25 · 12/12/2015 22:41

Gown and surgical stockings. Very attractive. You have to keep stockings on for minimum 24hrs. I was very glad to get them off.
For after, big knickers high waisted, in fact everything high waisted or no waisted like dresses - you don't want anything rubbing on the stitches.
Your birth partner will have to wear hospital scrubs.

MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 12/12/2015 22:42

And make sure you leave room for about three extra large sanitary towels all at once. There'll be an awful lot of blood left inside you that will still have to come out the usual way.

Micah · 12/12/2015 22:43

You can't wear your own clothes as they're not sterile and will be a reservoir of germs.

I was made to take off my bra for my emcs. Taking it off was probably one of the most painful things I've ever done.

Whataboutreindeer · 12/12/2015 22:43

Maternity over bump leggings are good. I was given two gowns to wear. One with the opening at the front and the other with the opening at the back. Surgical stockings they can ask you to wear for weeks depending on protocol, not so bad in this weather but remember flip flops for the shower won't work.

lilone1234 · 12/12/2015 22:45

I had to wear those stockings for six weeks!

Original poster

TwoDrifters · 12/12/2015 22:50

Whataboutreindeer Oh good to know! I shall unpack my flip flops! I was using them in lieu of slippers but will try to source some slippers now!

OP posts:

happytocomply · 12/12/2015 22:50

For the surgery? Just a hospital gown and some compression stockings. Nothing else. Best to remove any jewellery and leave it at home too as less likely to get lost than removing it in hospital.

Original poster

TwoDrifters · 12/12/2015 22:51

MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig Another good tip! I have many packs of maternity pads at the ready

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Original poster

TwoDrifters · 12/12/2015 22:51

Thanks happytocomply that's useful advice. I knew you would all know!

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WtfWasThis · 12/12/2015 23:25

I had an emcs last year wearing a primark nightie (and bra)! Agree it would definitely be a hospital gown for an elcs. Also nobody mentioned surgical stockings to me at all.

WtfWasThis · 12/12/2015 23:28

Also my bleeding was lighter than a period from day 1. Funny how everyone's different! I did lose a bit more than average apparently during the operation (700 ml) so maybe that's why. I'd read so much stuff on here I was expecting a total bloodbath - so I still have enough maternity towels to do my next 3 deliveries...

Moreisnnogedag · 12/12/2015 23:29

I had t-shirts and scrub bottoms for afterwards but hospital gown for during. I was surprised by the amount of bleeding. Out day one, driving by day 10.

bonzo77 · 12/12/2015 23:39

Bra off for elcs. So they can get the spinal in. Hospital gown. They'll undo it at the back once in theatre for the spinal. Kept in on till the spinal wore off and I was mobile enough to put bra and nightie on. Stockings stay on till you're out of hospital (take them off if you shower then put them back on). No knickers / bottoms till catheter is out (usually in around 12 hours). You'll be in bed till then. You'll be sat on a disposable mat and a pad between your legs. While you're lying still in bed the blood stays put. Be warned, once you stand up it all falls out! Try to stick a pad to your pants and then get them on before you get out of bed the first time. You'll then need to change that pad quite frequently the first few hours. I've had 3 sections, and after those first few changes my bleeding has been fairly light: using 4-6 pads per 24 hours for around a week then panty liners for a further 1-2 weeks.

TheEagle · 12/12/2015 23:40

You won't be able to wear flip flops with the surgical stockings - you'll need something you just slide your feet into, like Birkenstock style sandals (does that make sense!)

I didn't mind wearing the gown at all, it's loose and comfortable and opens easily for skin to skin contact and breastfeeding.

Lots of big knickers as pp have said, and make sure your partner can find things like your toothbrush in your hospital bag because you won't want to be leaning down to take things out afterwards.

I wore maternity leggings home from the hospital after both my sections but found I could wear ordinary ones quite soon afterwards.

Hope all goes well for you and soon you'll be cuddling your lovely baby

Original poster

TwoDrifters · 12/12/2015 23:43

bonzo77 That's all such useful info, thank you!

TheEagle Yes Birkenstock style makes perfect sense

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