What to pack for c-section?

[Cakehead]

Am booked for c-section in fortnight's time as baby is breech and wondering what to pack. It's my second baby - first was lovely, uncomplicated easy natural delivery, so I was home within 12 hours. When will I be able to shower, etc?

I had a shower the next day. As far as what to pack - big pants, big pants, big pants :-) Other than that, books/magazines/snacks as you'll be in for a few days and it's boooooooring. If you plan to breastfeed then I've read threads saying that one of those pillows in a V-shape is a good idea.

I had a shower the next day too, but I did get some help to have a bit of a wash in the evening (DS was born at 7.25am). That was mostly because I was still wearing the T-shirt I'd been wearing in labour for ages though, and that won't happen to you

Definitely pack big pants, arnica tablets (which you can start taking before the section) and if you like it some peppermint tea or cordial to help with trapped wind!

I didn't have too much trouble breastfeeding but like Tinkjon says, a v-shaped pillow or just some extra pillows/cushions might be useful - there always seems to be a pillow shortage in hospitals.

Good luck!

Hi
You should be able to shower the next day, with assistance (I couldn't stand up straight). I was in hospital for 4 days - don't take in everything you need as you won't have much space, it's better to get stuff laid out at home so DH can bring it in after a couple of days.
You can get some lovely stretchy mesh pants from Mothercare / NCT that go over your scar. If you go for normal big pants make sure they go really high, I had some and they rolled down under my belly and rubbed my scar.... ouch!
You'll need a good supply of maternity pads, a handful of babygro's (again, take a couple and leave some more for your DH to bring after a couple of days).
Couple of pairs of jim-jams as it might get a bit hot and sticky this time of year.
Also - ARNICA - can't recommend this enough. Get some from Boots and as soon as you're back in the ward start taking the maximum recommended amount.
Snacks is a good one. I had a craving for apricots for some reason

Good luck!

yes meant to say - if you plan to breastfeed then get a midwife to show you the 'rugby ball hold' (putting LO underneath your arm) as I couldn't lift my DD (she was 10lb) and this helped me enourmously.

The second night I had DD in the nursery and got the mw to bring her out to me when she needed feeding, as on the first night I couldn't lean over to lift her out of her cot, and it was horrible hearing her cry and not be able to do anything. I was pressing that button like mad but I think everyone was busy....! I would recommend you do that for the first AND second night. By the third night I was able to get out of bed OK.

I was in for 2 nights after an elective c-section. I was able to shower the morning after the c-section but was very wobbly. The catheter wasn't taken out until that morning. I had also had a difficult first night when it took me ages to get the baby out of his cot to feed him - silly me didn't think of asking the midwife to help. I had to wear surgical stockings until I left the hospital (stylish, as you can imagine) so was glad I had nighties rather than pjs. Possibly TMI but I didn't know what I was meant to do with regards to changing maternity pads before I was mobile - again I shouldn't have felt too shy about asking the midwife. In terms of useful things, I took some wipes to freshen my face etc and some deodorant wipes to use when bed-bound, which made me feel better. I bought a multi-pack of cheap huge pants which I found more comfortable that the disposable ones. Be careful that your clothes to wear home are over-the-bump rather than under. DH brought a pillow for me to place infront of the scar for the car journey home. I loved my v-shaped pillow for feeding, but didn't bother taking it into the hospital. BTW I found the operation a positive experience and recovered well afterwards (I was driving after 2.5 weeks). Best of luck.

You'll be better off with a nightdress rather than pyjamas for the first day or so as you'll have a catheter -they get really tangled with pyjama trousers! And second the mesh pants suggestion - look hideous but sooo comfy... I was only in 48 hours, then fled home because couldn't stand the sticky plastic covers on bed and pillows (I had severe itching as a side effect of the spinal) - might be worth taking your own pillow so you avoid this?

Just home last Monday from a C-section and this is what I had in my bag:

• nightie for the first day -two pairs of clean PJs (more set out at home for DH to bring in, but I didn't need them
• two little cardis for over PJs/nightie - too hot for a dressing gown
• toilet bag with separate sponge bag -make up -2 packs of maternity towels -dark coloured bath towel and hair towel
• 3 babygros, 3 vests (more ready at home for DH to bring)
• pack nappies, cotton wool balls, small tub sudocrem
• swaddling blanket, toy lamb, photo of DS1
• nursing bra and Lansinoh cream
• disinfectant wipes (not needed, hospital really clean and tidy)and that stuff that you can use to clean your hands that doesn't need a sink (dead useful) -arnica, rescue remedy, vaseline lip balm, Red magazine, book -pad and pen
• small amount of money in an old purse -mobile phone -iPod

All fitted into an overnight bag and a sort of handbag thing.

Good luck!

I would say big pants are the most important, and try and shower asap after (I showered next morning with dd1 and same day with dd2), you will feel much better after the shower.

And shave your fanjo before you go in if you don't want the midwife to do it.

God, thanks for this. Really good tips. But shave my fanjo?!! I haven't seen it for months... How can Ido that? If I make a right old hash of it, they'll think I'm just odd and probably have to do it for me anyway.

I was asked not to shave prior to going in. The midwife shaved the top cm or so with electric clippers. She said they don't like people to do it at home because of the risk of infection in cuts.

i'd say immac foam the fanjo - no cuts and no embarassment in a scary movie type thing. They wanted to dry shave me with a tesco value bic, so glad i'd done it myself. I didn't see the need to invest in special knickers - hubby likes boxer trunks so I just nicked some of his - the were snug enough for pad to stay in place, could be pulled up over my baggy bump and they were stretchy so didn't dig in in anyway. Still find them comfy now and sometime sneak them out of his draw to wear in the evening after a shower!!!!

Believe it or not, a straw can be a life-saver when sitting up to drink isn't easy. I had a childs playtex straw bottle but they're not easy to find in the UK.

V-shaped cushions
Big (paper) pants
Food!

Get / decant shower gel and shampoo into bottles with a hook on so you don't need to bend over in the shower if there isn't a shelf! Good luck and congratuations in advance.

Take a couple of sarongs, they are more comfortable around your waist and you don't have to bend over to put them on . Flip flops are good too, they can be washed afterwards. Face and deodorant wipes are great so you can freshen up.

I had a shower the day after my C-section, my DP had to help me as I was pretty uncomfortable and unsteady.

Extra pillows are good to help with b-feeding. It is not nice having the weight of a baby on a fresh c-section wound. Take magazines and don't feel bad about ringing the bell for a midwife when the baby needs picking up. I found it impossible to get out of bed. And ask for as many painkillers as you need, theres no point in prolonging the disomfort.

all the best!!

I would second the shaving your own fanjo before you go in. Had an emergency section for first and the midwife did it for me, not that I was giving a toss by this point. But second time round I had my nether regions looking great just in case. Of course it was a natural birth but at least the surgeon didn't have to fight his way through a forest when stitching me up. I painted my toenails too (or get someone to do it for you if you can'treach).

A pint glass. Hospitals are so hot and the walk to and from the water cooler is a long one when you're shuffling, bent over your belly...

And a really gripping book to read while you're waiting for your op. Any emergencies get into theatre first so you may wait all day for your turn, and you need something to take your mind off the waiting!

Ask if your dh can take a disposable camera into the op theatre. And they'll prob put your own cd on in the theatre too if you want.

My DH did the shaving as I couldn't see a thing down there. And this was a definite must as I would have had the bic razor applied by the MW.

I'd second the motion on the book for before hand, I was due to go in at 8am and didn't have my CS until 16.30 due to emergencies.

Oh, and I took some healthy snacks in but by day 2 sent my DH for the chocolate biccies.