C section packing

[northernmamax]

C section in the morning! Yayyyy!

Just organising my last bits.

Any must haves that I need to deffos have in mine and babies bags?

Any advice also tia xx

Shoes/flip flops with no backs. No bending down!

I always pass on the love since getting this from Mumsnet - windeze. In case you get referred pain in right shoulder. Would have terrified me had I not been expecting it.
So things I needed that I didn't pack - long charge cable, non-perishable snacks and bottles of water.
A hat for baby and a couple of grow sizes. My (really cute) newborn suit didn't fit my larger than expected boy.
Also, don't know if this is your first but labour ward was so noisy, all night, and they had an aversion to drawing the curtains. I really don't know if this is frowned upon, but foam ear plugs and an eye mask. Try to get as much sleep as you can squeeze in.
Advice - don't overdo anything once you're up and about. It took me 3weeks for the worst of the pains to stop getting in and out of bed. Get help everytime you get in and out, if you can. Yes, even for a 4am wee. Take iron. Eat iron rich food. A v-shaped pillow also helped me to sleep comfortably - I had to be propped at an angle as lying flat pulled the stomach muscles too much. It also stops you rolling in your sleep. If breastfeeding, try the baby under the arm nearest the boob 'in use' (think it's called rugby hold?!). Stopped mine kicking my stitches.
That's it really. Oh and congratulations and good luck!

Big bottles of water. I was really thirsty afterwards.

Big pants. Hand cream. Magazine. Sometimes babies sleep a lot.. Fingers crossed you get one of those varieties op!!.

Yay! Best thing about a section is you're well looked after on the ward afterwards so there's nothing particularly special you need. Ask the midwives for peppermint water if you get gas pains (probably on day 2) they can also give you piriton if you get itchy after the section - important to keep talking to the medical team during the anaesthetic and directly after. If you tell them any problems like you feel a bit ill or faint they act so fast to get you sorted.

Just try your best to relax and enjoy it, I've had 2 sections (both emergency) and that moment when you hear your babies cry and they lift them over the screen so you can see them - no feeling like it, you'll never forget it OP

Snacks, snacks and more snacks

I came on here to ask the same question. Thanks for the useful tips!

Hope everything went well this morning OP and you're enjoying newborn snuggles now!

She was born today at 11:35 weighing 8lb 5oz.

Catheter still in but spinal has wore off now so im super scared to get it removed. And I am SOOO itchy. But all in all the best thing I've ever experienced was so much better than my first birth where I had forceps delivery.

Keeping on top of pain meds and lots of water. Wish me luck for day 2!

Fantastic!

Keep doing what you're doing and you'll be great.

Congratulations OP! So pleased to hear it all went well.
In my experience the catheter removal is fine and not painful at all!

Hi! Congratulations ❤️❤️ I wondered how your recovery has gone? I'm having my first c section in 4 weeks and would love any tips! Xxx

@jessicakxx hi hun!

Honestly, for me, it was the best experience I've ever had in my life! I loved it from start to finish!
Nothing hurt, it was so planned and organised, the midwives and the surgeons looking after me were absolutely fantastic they spoke to me the whole time and made me feel so comfortable.

The thing that hurt the most was the cannula going in my hand beforehand, I never really even felt the stinging pain of the spinal going in but I think that's just cos my adrenaline was pumping. The c section wasn't painful at all, just felt like slight tugging sensations but nothing that hurt or felt uncomfortable for me. Once she was born and the spinal wore off, I never experienced any pain as I made sure I kept on top of my pain relief, it was just really hard to move and uncomfortable, my advice is get up and get moving (within your means) as soon as you can, the midwives and your partner will help you! Big big big knickers and some slippers that just slide on will be your best friend. Take nighties not pjs as they will be easier to get on and you will be much more comfy. Take plenty snacks and drinks. Honestly even when I got home I never felt in pain ever and I was up and moving around pretty much straight away and now I'm completely mobile it doesn't even feel like I have had an operation a week ago, Im just being so good with taking my pain relief. That is my biggest piece of advice set reminders on your phone so you stay on top of them! Good luck hun if you have anymore questions just ask me. Honestly it's amazing just relax and enjoy the whole thing ❤️

Thank you so much, I'm so glad it went so well for you! I will definitely keep on top of my pain relief, I was going to try and maybe get some stronger ones from the docs prior to the op, did you just have paracetamol and ibruprofen?

I hope mine goes as well as yours ❤️ hope your little one is doing well xx

@jessicakxx the hospital prescribed me dihydrocodeine, so every 2 hours I was alternating between paracetamol, ibuprofen, and codeine. I'm still taking them now just incase but honestly that's the best piece of advice I have! Xx