C section must haves

[mushroommouse]

Hi all,
I'm due to have a c section in a few weeks due to complications. I wondered if people had any essentials for c section after care or the hospital bag?

I've watched videos and I'm a bit overwhelmed. Also any recommendations on pads and breast pads for after please?

All the advice above is great. All I would add is try not to worry too much. I had 2 planned c sections and both were really calm, joyful experiences. I do think there is a big difference between emergency c section and planned.

recovery was which too. The first 48 hours I would describe as sore, but not acute pain, and after that I felt back to normal. I was home 24 hours after both sections, doing gentle walks out of the house after 48 hours (I had c section no 2 on a Tuesday, took DS age 3 to an play class down the road on the Thursday, went for a 5k family walk two weeks after the section both times). Talking to others I think this isn’t hugely uncommon for a planned section. After section no 2 I was back parenting DS in a far more active way than I’d been able to do during pregnancy after 3-4 days.

good luck!

A cleaner

A nighty or long shirt style nighty, doesn't go on your scar and just very comfortable!

When you get home, a little table by your sofa so you don't have to keep getting up

Big high waist knickers. I sized up so nothing felt tight.

Comfy everything else.

Fully charged power block for phone.

I preferred Laxido to Lactulose to help digestive system switch back on.

Some women feel fine afterwards and are out pushing the pram 24 hours later. I kept reading that on here. My c section was planned, but I was weak and exhausted afterwards and felt a failure. Rest and eating well are so important to promote healing.

Well loose clothing for a start and the biggest big granny pants. I had bought some just incase I had a section but I bought them in a size 8 🙈 had to get my mum to go get me some more then were too tight across my tummy, she bought me a size 12 to which I was partly offended lol but actually they were fab. I also only had my skinny jeans with me so think about clothes to come home in.

Apart from that I can't think of anything else.

Although top tip, roll on to your side and push urself up with ur hands to sit up. I was finally told that around day 3 in the hospital 🙈

Even if you’re planning to use a sling instead of a pram, buy or borrow a pram for the first few weeks when your abdomen might not be up to a sling yet.

Scar massage is really important to recovery. Remember to do it. Up to you if you want to use a cream or anything. I used Bio Oil.

Eye mask and ear plugs for on the ward. Even if you get a private room it can be very light in hospital and lights are constantly going on and off.

Slip on slippers and outdoor shoes (I used flip flops but it was warmer when I gave birth).

good luck and congratulations.

Flip flops to wear in the hospital, going into the shower room, etc. Also good for when you're home. You won't be able to reach your feet for a while so these are a must have

lots of paracetamol and ibuprofen for home.

hospital are very reluctant to prescribe anything and I had to ask for proper pain killers. Dr were happy to prescribe a few days later tho

Thank you all so much, so many great suggestions. Will definitely get some flip flops for the shower, hadn't even thought of that

Sliders so you can wear the compression socks but get out to the toilet.

An extra long charging cable for your phone so you can have it where you want. Download some movies or programmes as WiFi can be terrible and there’s a lot of dead time before and after even!

A water bottle that can be used with one hand and with a straw, so you aren’t moving your arms too much.

Big knickers - I’m a size 8 and got 12-14 High waisted massive black pants from primark. Also really appreciated a lightweight black fake satin dressing gown - didn’t need to worry about bleeding with it being dark and was somewhat wipeable with the material.

I really appreciated having a V pillow I could use to prop myself up. I’d had it to sleep with during pregnancy and then after it was great for feeding too.

Some snacks ! By the time I was out and recovered enough to feel hungry, all food had stopped and they didn’t have anything for my dietary needs.

if you have colostrum, collect that now. My milk took a week to come in after the section. Be ready to bottle feed if needed while you wait for milk. I wasn’t mentally prepared for that part.