C-Section hospital bag

[birdybirdbird]

My section is scheduled for 3 weeks today and thought I really should pack my bag in case I go into labour early! Is there anything in particular that would be helpful to have in there after a section compared to a vaginal delivery? Any tips about what's best to wear afterwards?
Everyone says to get big pants so they don't rub on the scar but how big is big?! I've continued wearing my regular size 10-12 pants throughout pregnancy as they've sat fine just under my bump. Obviously that will be no use afterwards but have no idea how big to go.
I'm assuming I'll leave hospital in maternity leggings and a top or is this a bad idea as they'd be too tight? Would a floaty dress be better?

Paper pants large size for straight afterwards, or go up a couple of sizes for your pants 16-18 is what I wore. Baggy is best for after a C-Section.

Also some peppermint tea, Really good for trapped gas.

Big as in goes over the bump, so around belly button height, you dont want anything touching the scar area, i would be tempted to go for a size 12/14. Leggings fine as long as over bump ones, they tend to help hold bump that will be wobbly still! As for other bits, water bottle,snacks, magazine/book.

have an orange every day you are there. hospital food won't help your first bowel movement (which was fine in my case, because I followed my own advice :) ). A floaty dress/PJs might be comfiest.

Oh and yes for peppermint tea or oil, midwife can give you some, trapped wind can be so so painful!

Silky or satiny fabric nightwear to help you slide in bed when you turn over or move.

Not very glamorous but I went for incontinence pants with DC2. Boots own brand are cheaper than Tena. I ended up having an EMCS and they were great. They're nice and soft on and go high up plus they have the added bonus of helping with any leaks from the PP bleeding. If I was to have another I would absolutely buy them again over the horrible paper pants I had for my first.

As long as your bleeding isn’t too heavy (mine wasn’t), after the catheter comes out, you can skip the hideous maternity pads and just use regular sanitary towels. Yes to full briefs though, you don’t want anything where the waistband rubs on your scar. I’d go with cotton so it’s breathable for healing but do try to roll it down and air the scar when you don’t have visitors. And I left the hospital in high waisted leggings and a dress.

Depending on the time of day you have the section (even planned may be Late in day depending on emergencies) you may have a catheter in all night the first night. So a nightdress type thing is good so you don't have to worry about flashing half your body if you move around. A feeding pillow (that you can wash the cover of) if you are breastfeeding is also useful as you aren't comfortably fully mobile the first night.

Also- food! Tea and toast never appeared (I've had two sections) and I was sooooo hungry after fasting all day. so things like flapjack/ oat bar things are good.

I found wrap dresses to be fabulous, I've had 2 emergency sections and they were great for breastfeeding/loose over my wound.

Something to read/do whilst you wait for your elective depending where you are on the list?

Snacks/extra drinks.

Flip flops to wear in the shower

Snacks
Bottled water/drinks
Something to read/listen to
Full brief cotton pants (Tesco’s are great) in 12-14 I’d say
Lots of maternity towels and some soft puffy ones to stick to the inside of your knickers where the scar is ,they take the dressing off fairly quickly)
Maternity leggings or tights or over the bump jeans for coming home in and wearing post section. Nothing under-bump. Irritation or pressure from clothes along the scar can cause infection.
Lightweight dressing gown (soft stretchy is best)
Soft nightgowns ideally with breastfeeding access if you plan to do so, so button fronted
Fluffy loose socks (your feet can get very cold after and also my feet & ankles swelled dramatically after my cs’s so no tight socks)

That’s all I can think of for now!

I’m usually an 8 and have been wearing size 18 pants in pregnancy (they go over my bellybutton at 40 weeks and are great) and have some for after! I would go bigger than a 12-14 personally 😂

Thanks everyone! Peppermint tea is a great tip, I find minty stuff really helpful if I’m feeling sick or generally grotty so it will be doubly useful.
Did anyone take arnica tablets before hand to help with bruising?
Did any of you try hand expressing before hand? My midwife suggested it and gave me a leaflet with some tiny syringes but my NCT breastfeeding session said it’s not necessary. I think I’ve been producing the odd bit of milk for a while now (never caught them in the act but have found dried stuff in my bra!) I’m hoping that’s a good sign that my milk might not take too long to come in but I’ve no idea really.

I took arnica and healed very quickly, probably more down to genetics/good luck/an experienced consultant doing the slicing than the arnica but I figured it couldn’t hurt.

I took peppermint capsules rather than the tea but check with your midwife re breastfeeding as I think I remember something about high doses might have an effect on your supply (I bottle fed).

I’ve been hand expressing antenatally and actually have a few hundred mls of colostrum in the freezer now! I reccomend to all my ladies that they might like to have a go and usually show them how. It definitely isn’t essential but it can be really helpful to understand the anatomy of your breasts and it’s reassuring too! Babies born via Caesarian (elective as well as emergency) are at a very slightly higher risk of hypoglycaemia so I would say that having some colostrum on hand may be helpful. Breastfeeding can be really tricky and after major abdominal surgery, even more so!