Hospital bag for C Section- What should I take?

[Glammama]

First time round I had a vaginal birth but next week I'm booked in for a CS due to baby being flex breech.

I have no idea what I need to take which will specifically be of use. I've figured out all the other things, breast pads, toiletries etc.

What did people fing invaluable or wish they'd had with them?

Thanks in advance,

G

What a meany, not carrying your bag of wee for you!!

You may not need your dp to carry it for you. When I was back on the ward I was given a bed bath ,had my pad changed, and was helped into clean clothes.

When the catheter was taken out that afternoon I then went to the loo on my own. So there was no need for a piss bag chauffer

I didn't look at my scar for several days but when I did it wasn't quite the tarantino horror of gore that I was expecting..

In fact, and bear in mind that I was spaced out on lack of sleep and painkillers, they had performed a clever trick of threading two white beads at either end of the stitches..I remember telling my DH I thought they actually looked quite cool in a hippy, beady, surfy way .. body art hey?

And a week or so later the community midwife performed a magic trick using the beads.. "ta da, hey presto"...tugged the beads either end and painlessly pulled the stitches out..

Don't understand the portable bag of wee?

I was bedbound with catheter for first 24 hours or so(which was bizarrely nice not having to get up to wee after months of going to the loo 65 times a day and night)..Once they took the catheter out I staggered backwards and forwards to the loo by myself..

I did find it hard when they first ordered me out of bed...they try and get you moving as soon as possible and you do feel like they're being really cruel making you stagger around when you feel a little like you're about to snap in half..I did feel quite dizzy as well..

The whole experience has faded into rose tinted memories now which is nice!

i have fond memory of when ds1 was born and walking(read hobbling!) down corrider with dd aged 1 year holding one hand and wee bag in the other!

It comes to something doesn't it, when my first response to hearing that I'd need a catheter would be joy at not having to get up for a wee. Every sodding 90 mins now, day and night.

Can I ask, do they give you pain relief for the removal of catheter or will I be so high form the other drugs I won't notice? (Here's hoping...)

Hatty the portable bag of wee was in case I wanted to go and wash. Particularly now I know about the lochia. I think I'd quite like a bed bath though, am I terrible?

i cant think they give pain relief for removing it.it doesnt hurt just bit uncomfy-but hey everythings uncomfy!

i had wee bag for 10 days after ds2-midwifes said i coped really well as theyd had people crying etc.it was fine,i could wee all i liked and not move!i had a little one attached to my leg at home(changed for bigger one at night) children thought mumy weing standing up was fantastic(when i had to empty it)

I thought they gave you a bed bath as protocol, after all if you've had a major op like that it seems the least they can do?

I had one errm about 4 hours after I think.. (it all fades into a blur as I had to have a GA due to funny blood levels)....they made me get up and take a shower the second day...

I think someone mentioned that you should drink as much fluids as possible to rehydrate yourself after the op..I think if they see you are rehyrdating they take the catheter out sooner...

I think they removed part of my brain with the op too! Certainly the bit that controls memory!

i didnt have bed bath with any of my 3.was helped in shower with ds1 i think.

definitely a nightie - i couldn't get comfy with pj's and the cathetre

also, is is essential if you are going to bf that the nightie has breast access from the top - so you don't have to hike the whole thing up to get at a boob (like i did )

i've been treated to 2 of these nighties glammamma, they come up very large in sizing and are cheerful and not pastel! though feeder sound so derogatory, non?

have i not been around much? think probably because birthpool has been operational for nearly 2 days now and i am either in it zoning out joyfully or out of it scampering around with new lease of life its given me! xxxxxxxx

A nightie to wear while you've got your catheter in - mine was removed the next day (didn't hurt) then i put my pj's on. BIG pants - i bought some 'maxi briefs' from M&S two sizes bigger than usual, that reached my waist. Something to read if you have trouble getting comfy enough to sleep and a good thick pillow, hospital pillows are crap. And flip-flops, I felt really unsteady in the shower the next day (and they will aim to get you up and showered soon as poss) and was sure i was going to slip, i think flip-flops would've help give me some grip.

yes flip flops!! Everyone uses them showers you know

Second big pants, i got asda granny ones they where soo comfy.

Also went dizzy on my first attempt at getting up.

Dont let them take your cathetar out at 11pm at night when no one is around to help you up for the first time, by the time DP got there at 10am the next morning i was crying cos i needed a wee so much lol

plenty of juice to drink if you dont drink tea or coffee, change for TV/phone my baby slept like a log in the hospital i was soo bored lol!

I was cursing myself at the time for not thinking about flip flops! The shower on my ward was up two steps and they might as well have asked me to climb Everest, I was doddering about like a little old lady

I found a sports bottle useful for drinking as saved you having to sit up.
Agree on flip flops/slippers. Anything to avoid bending.

Not read all threads but for me the following were vital.
Shave before you go in, or get your DH/DP to go it for you.
Make sure you have your catheter inserted AFTER your spinal. I was persuaded by the midwives to have it done before and spent 4 hours of extreme discomfort whilst waiting to go into theater.
Your Birth plan.
FOR YOU:
Arnica 200 take asap after surgery
Ear plugs!
Peppermint Tea
Big nightshirts x2
Maternity pads x loads (I needed them for 6 weeks after too)
Big Black knickers (MacKays were cheap and comfy)
Dark coloured large towel
Snacks
Cartons of juice
Dressing gown and slippers
Usual toiletries plus hand held mirror
Mobile phone
Camera
Note pad and pen (to make a note of what gifts you had from whom so you can write and thank later)
Reading material especially useful whilst waiting for your theater time ( mine was 4 hours)
Going home clothes (comfy)
If planning to BF:
BF bras
BF pillow
Lansinoh cream

For the little one:
Nappies
Body suits x7
Baby gro's x7
Cotton wool
Going home clothes

Not in any particular order btw, am sure Ive forgotten some things. My lo was born by CS 9 weeks ago.
Wishing you all the very best, and enjoy!

Thank you everybody for all your suggestions