Packing for c-section

[ThePlacesYouWillGo123]

Currently packing and repacking my hospital bag for an elective c section. My midwife has indicated I should only be in one night if all goes well and feel I have now really over packed!! What did anyone take for themselves and the baby? I currently look like I'm going on a weeks holiday not just a night or two in hospital! Thank you

I was told to take some big knickers but I took some little one so they wouldn't go near the cut and some night dresses which I never wear normally but you have a catheter in for a while after so it's easier. I was scared of pulling the pipe if I put pjs on. I took a dressing gown and some flip flops.

For my little one I took hat two grows two vests a blanket, nappies water wipes nappy bags and milk the little ready made bottles.then when we were going home my husband nipped home to pick up the car Pram suit and car seat.

A long dressing gown, but thin material. The wards are too hot!
Agree about the big knickers, flip flops for the shower, slippers. Loads of maternity pads and breast pads, a couple of maternity bras. Toiletry bag, 2 towels, phone charger.
I've had four sections and though they try to discharge you after 24 hours, I've always had a 2 -3 night stay.

My baby went through 3 changes of clothes in the first 12 hours due to reflux... c section was 4pm, was out the next day by 2 pm.. lots of pads for after and a couple of changes of clothes for accidents. Good luck x

There is a good chance I may need a cs so I have packed as if I am having one.
Basically in my first birth I was very low risk so just assumed I wouldn't need much and then there were a few complications which meant I had to stay a few nights. I really wish I had packed and mentally prepared myself for the possibility of a longer stay, as silly things like whether you have enough of this and that are not what you want to be stressing about in hospital while trying to recover/establish feeding.
Also always think: will I cope if I bleed/squirt milk all over this item? You need spares even if you are staying one night.

I've got:
A nighty and some pyjamas
Two pairs of loose sweatpants
Three loose t shirts
Two nursing bras
4 pairs of comfy pants
2 pairs of socks
Slippers
zippy hoody
Hoping to grab dressing gown before I go!
20 maternity pads
pack of nursing pads
Toiletries bag
phone charger
A book
snacks and drinks
Nappies
A manual breast pump (really wished I brought this when I had DS and he wasn't latching).
A new born starter pack of 24 hours worth of formula feeds just in case.
A few sleep suits, vests and hats for the baby, plus a couple of cardigans.
A swaddling blanket, a cellular blanket and a warm blanket for the car home.

Phew! All fits into a suitcase. I can relax a lot more knowing I am prepared for a few days!

OMG towels! Thank you PP who reminded me.

Oh yes I have waterwipes and my sexiest crocs for the shower as well.

Thank you!! I best get repacking - 12 days to go!!

I had a pre-planned c section. Was on enhanced recovery and thought I'd be home the next day but ended up staying for 4 days as DD had a bit of fluid on her chest. So definitely pack for a few extra days!

Might be worth having an overnight bag then prepping something to keep in the car that you can go grab if you end up being in for longer?

A few things that were a life saver for me, over and above all the usual stuff...

A water bottle. One of the reusable plastic ones. The cups they give you are so flimsy and i kept knocking it over

Squash. But that's because i cant live without squash...!

A pillow and blanket from home. Just made me feel more comfortable

Dry shampoo.

Flip flops

Fluffy socks

And sounds weird...but buy a grabber stick. You can get them on amazon. I vividly remember dropping something on the floor in the hospital and spending forever trying to manoeuvre myself to pick it up in agony. That may continue for a couple of weeks and it proved really useful and saved a lot of pain and frustration!

Congrats and best of luck!

My 1 tip is to have a bag for you, a bag for baby & a spare bag left at home or in the car with extras should you happen to require a longer stay.
My OH is a bit useless, if I asked him to bring in extra pants, socks, leggings etc he'd probably bring "nice" pants, (as opposed to ones reserved for AF 🙈 😂) bring white leggings 🙄 (you get the idea!) 1

Peppermint tea or capsules in case you suffer with trapped wind & the awful referred pain caused by this. First time I walked to the bathroom after c-section, the pain from this nearly took me down, never mind the abdominal surgery!

Also definitely flip flops/ slide on Slippers and enormous pants that come up to your belly button. Or, the hospital gave me a few pairs of disposable ones with mesh front that got plenty of air to the incision & they were great 👍🏻