Hospital bag - c section

[Babyontheway21]

What do you take in your hospital bag? How many changes of clothes for baby etc.

What is the best maternity pads to use, first baby so I’m really clueless about what to take. I have just under 9 weeks to go so I’m thinking my midwife might give me a list or maybe not lol but I’d like to start getting things together.

I don't think your midwife will give you a list but this is what I took for DC4 (who was my first section):

8 newborn babygros (didn't know how long we would be in, but I was in for a week with DC3 so over prepared this time!)
Pack of newborn nappies
2 packs water wipes
3 muslins
3 newborn hats
1 thick blanket for car seat
2 soft blankets for hospital
Pack of Rennie deflatines for post-section wind
Box of snack bars
Sports water bottle
Long charging cable for my phone
Notebook and pen (didn't need these but I always want a pen and paper when I don't have them so...)
3 Maternity nighties (I BF)
A lightweight dressing gown
Slippers
Flip flops
Towel

Take peppermint capsules or peppermint teabags - trapped wind v common after a c section and really painful!

I ended up having a EMCS and had to go home in my nightie as my big pants weren't big enough, and the trousers I took had a lower seam exactly where the wound was.

Long charging wire was essential, as well as water bottle that you can keep on your bed.

Depending on if you're planning on FF or BF you ca get pre-made, pre-sterilised bottles of milk.

Thank you that gives me a good start

These comments are really helpful 😊 I’m a first timer too and freaking out about having a summer baby and what to pack for him to come home in if it’s hot 🙈 I’ve watched all the YouTube videos on it. Jennifer Joy has a good one about packing for a section

@larrythelizard

Take peppermint capsules or peppermint teabags - trapped wind v common after a c section and really painful!

I ended up having a EMCS and had to go home in my nightie as my big pants weren't big enough, and the trousers I took had a lower seam exactly where the wound was.

Long charging wire was essential, as well as water bottle that you can keep on your bed.

Depending on if you're planning on FF or BF you ca get pre-made, pre-sterilised bottles of milk.

I don’t think il decide til he’s here (depending on how I’m feeling by then) but if you take the ready made bottles do you heat them up first?

Fybogel and OJ and have one as soon after as you can. No one needs to strain to poo after that.

Extra packs of nappies etc can stay in the car boot so they're handy but not cluttering the place up.

Lip balm and my own pillow were lovely. Flip flops for the shower and wipes to freshen up. Boots own pads were fine. Buy lots, lochia lasted 6 weeks even with a section.

There are lots of lists on line but these were the really useful bits I found.

@sarah13xx I never heated his milk up, he was always good with it at room temperature - you don't need to as it's all sterile.

Remember that you don't need to take everything, if you're in for multiple days then DH will be able to bring things in as you need.

At the moment with Corona restrictions it might not be possible to bring in more stuff, at my hospital you have to bring everything with you.

I'd advise brining one bag packed with enough for the first few days with a further bag left in the car in case you have a longer stay. Bring a long charging cable so you can use it from the bed, a water bottle that you can drink from laying down and some of your own snacks (hospital meal times are set and it can be a long time to wait if you've just given birth).

@larrythelizard okay thanks, I’m going to get a box of the little pre made bottles to take, hopefully give colostrum then move onto them if I’m in for longer

Big pants!!
Socks
Cosy small blanket for you! Hospital sheets are awful!
Magazines

Dressing gown rope to tie to the end of the bed to pull yourself up with.

Eye mask and ear plugs for sleeping.

Any maternity packets from any supermarket or Boots. Take more packets than you'll think you'll need. A midwife told me to pop two in my (disposable) knickers at the same time, so I went through at least 24 per day.

A few cosy blankets to swaddle baby in.

Bag everything up - I used large IKEA sandwich bags - and put labels on them so they can be easily found, e.g . size 0 nappies, size 1 nappies, muslins all together, sleep suits all together etc.

I was in hospital for just over 24hours.

I packed a small weekend type wheel along for baby and small holdall type bag for myself.

Things I was advised to take but didn't need - lip balm, ear plugs, eye mask, shampoo and conditioner, peppermint capsules/deflatine, breast pads. Painkillers.

I never use lip balm normally and didn't feel the need in hospital. Ear plugs and mask weren't necessary as I was on a ward/bay alone... that said other wards didn't seem busy/noisy either. I'm sure I could have had a shower to use the shampoo/conditioner but I was given a bed bath after surgery, wasn't in a mess and was eager to get home the next day and have a good hot shower in the comfort of my own home.
As for the peppermint/deflatine - I didn't suffer with gas and aslong as you peed the midwives weren't bothered about number 2's lmao. Breast pads - milk didn't come in for days. Extra pain killers - pain relief was offered regularly any way by midwives... take the oramorph

For me -
Hospital notes
Comfy clothes to wear in and go home in,
Stretchy top, leggings, hoody, pumps/trainers.
Comfy bra
5x bridget knickers
2x nighties (only wore one)
Light dressing gown
Slippers
Pack of maternity pads
Few pairs of tena pants if I couldn't stand the pads!
Make up bag, face wipes.
Dry shampoo, brush, bobbles.
Shower gel, tooth brush and toothpaste

Extras-
Cash, card
Mobile and Long charger
Box of snack bars
4pk still lucozade.

Baby-
Carry pack of newborn nappies (24pk)
Pack of wipes
Handful of nappy bags
5 short sleeve suits
5 long sleeve suits
2x hats
Jacket for coming home
4 muslins
2 cellular blankets
1 thick knitted blanket as weather was chilly.

My hospital provided towels and little bottles of formula ready made - different brands to choose from.

Only thing I wish i had packed more of was snacks and food. I was given toast in recovery, then a pasta meal for dinner. A sandwich was brought in the evening and I was still starving! Although I hadn't eaten since the night before.