Aftercare - Csection.

[Lunamoon23]

Hello!

I'm having an elective c section in December, this is my first baby, and I'm terrified.

So instead of focusing on my fears, I'm trying to push past the events of the surgery and focus on the after... of course, the outcome, my little boy.

But, I've started putting myself together a little get home basket of stuff, to care for myself when we get home. (Not being selfish, I've brought everything baby could possibly want or need, he's well taken care of, just know I'm going to be feeling a little crappy so wanted to take care of myself too)

So far, I've got, face masks, under eye masks, a decent shampoo and conditioner, a luxurious body wash and new body pouff, for that first at home shower post birth.
I've brought some of infinity nighttime sanitary towels for extra comfort for the bleeding, a peri spray bottle to keep myself clean and fresh down below inbetween showers due to bleeding, some extra high cotton underwear, and the Frida disposable briefs, my favourite deodorant and body mist, organic cotton wool for cleaning my wound, a couple nice soft fluffy bath sheet towels. Aswell as some new pjs for when I get home, hair scrunchies and clip. Some nice smelling christmassy candles for the bedroom, I've also got an excessive amount of paracetamol and ibuprofen stored away in my bedside draw, maybe too many! 😂 but didn't want to run the risk of running out and sending DH to the shops.. So stocked up!

Anything anyone can think of they'd recommend made them feel more human?
Or for wound care?

I know the basics of making sure things are high up so I don't have to bend a lot etc. we've brought some In shower shelves etc so I don't have to and changing mat is high and next to me crib will be on DH side to begin with so he can pass him to me for night feeds (hopefully breastfeeding) .. also got some breast pads for leaky boobs both reusable and disposable.

Thank you!

A really nice travel mug. Make a cuppa at bedtime and it's the perfect temperature when you're up at 2, 3am. Mine is a contigo one.

Oh and some comfortable pillows or feeding pillows to support you when feeding in bed

You don't want anything that rubs around waist so pj's bottoms are out. Nightshirt with buttons for breastfeeding. More than 1 for baby sick. Leave the wound alone and take the voltarol offered. Cling film it to keep dry when showering. Dry shampoo for in hosp. Flip flops for hosp. Do washing before going in, instruct helpers in use. Put easy meals in freezer.

Laxatives...., that first poop is erm special!

Plastic shoes. Sometimes it’s hard to sit down or get up fast in the bathroom those first few days and the lochia can be heavy.

Peppermint tea by the bucket load for the poop.

Arnica tablets.

A dressing gown tie is great to pop onto the bed rail to help you sit up.

A long phone charger

Loads of paracetamol, ibuprofen, heat pads, ice packs, a well stoked fridge.

The face masks- if you're like most woman postpartum you'll be covered in constant sweat (sorry to break it to you) that it'll be pointless putting it on. Attending to your hair and face will probably be the last thing on your mind to begin with. Lower your expectations, don't expect to have lots of free time pampering.

I had a c section last December and recovered really well. I actually found breadtfeeding more painful than the c section recovery…

So my top things were:
A giant water bottle with a straw. I used to have a screw top but that was impossible to access whilst holding a baby.
Lanolin nipple cream
Silver nipple shields - I think I’d have given up breastfeeding without them.
various cushions to prop around you
oversized cardigans that are easy access and can be easily removed if you get too hot
snacks
some nice massage balm for the scar once you’ve healed
giant knickers from M&S which I’m still wearing

Great idea! X

I've got my pregnancy pillow, aswell as a 'V' pillow, still need to buy the nursing pillow. Any you'd recommend? Xxxxx

Oh yes! I've heard, they're on the list 😂

A huge water bottle for water / squash. I was parched for weeks!

Comfy nightdresses - easier than putting pj trousers on and off when going to toilet etc..I got a few from m&S and h&m.

I'm sure you know this, but huge cotton knickers.

Hi Luna moon , I’ve had two sections and the best item I bought was a Carriwell organic cotton post pregnancy belly binder , honestly I wore it for months day and night it really helped my back and held me together as everything healed. It was so comfortable and adjustable. I felt it made a huge difference to my recovery.

I've got a long body hot water bottle. What will the ice packs be used for?

And I don't expect to have lots of time to pamper myself, but I wanted a little basket ready for when I get home and feel rotten and want to wash the hospital smell off me, so I can have a nice indulgent shower to make myself feel a little more human. Didn't know about the postpartum sweats though..
I thought of face masks as I have a family member who spends quiet alot of time in and out of hospital and they're skins always so dry. But noted xxx

@Littleoldme12 I've got a giant Stanley! I drink lots anyway so was handy to already have one!

Got the cotton knickers! I'll get a couple nightshirts in too! X

Sounds like a great idea OP, it is important to look after yourself as well as baby!

I'd say a decent thermos type drinks bottle so you can have hot/cold drinks easily

I found the super thick maternity pads the comfiest for lochia and make sure pants aren't going to rub along the scar- I went for the big black Asda full briefs (and have never gone back to be fair haha)

Dry shampoo

The face masks- if you're like most woman postpartum you'll be covered in constant sweat (sorry to break it to you) that it'll be pointless putting it on. Attending to your hair and face will probably be the last thing on your mind to begin with. Lower your expectations, don't expect to have lots of free time pampering.

It takes a few seconds to put a face mask on, each to their own and certainly shouldn't be any pressure, but I enjoyed pampering myself a bit- often sat breastfeeding with under eye masks on because they made me feel a bit happier.

Enormous high waisted pants
A water bottle or two to leave in places you may get “stuck” feeding
SNACKS
I highly recommend a breastfeeding cushion which clips behind your back
This may sound silly but getting things like a haircut and a decent pair of winter boots sorted beforehand is helpful as you’ll probably not have time after.

I was scared too but it was absolutely fine. You’ll be fine.

Definitely a bit water bottle, big pants, tights wrapped around the end of the bed so you can pull yourself up if you can't roll yourself out of bed, mint tea, and I enjoyed fennel tea (maybe it's a folk take). I'd avoid smelly toiletries - skin to skin is lovely and you don't want any perfume lingering on you. A low level light in the bedroom so you can breast feed without having to fumble in the dark. Get a midwife to help you establish breastfeeding while you are lying down, saves having to get up (with weakened stomach muscles).

Defo going to add a thermo mug! I love my tea so that's a great idea!

I've got some super thick maternity towels also, but brought the always infinity ones for when it's a little less heavy as they're so comfy!! (If you haven't tried them, I highly recommend)

And that's was my thought exactly regarding the face mask/eye mask. My DH will be home with me for 4 weeks, and no reason I can't pop one on straight out the shower and sit with it on for half hour even walking around the house doing whatever. And it might help soothe my puffy eye bags from lack of sleep 😂 I usually place them in the fridge for half an before before hand xxx

Got the massive pants!! ✔️ I've even started wearing them now because they're so comfy!

I've got my hair appointment booked in for the week before my Csection ! Hopefully he doesn't plan to make his arrival any sooner 😂
And good idea on the winter boots!
I've pretty much finished my Christmas shopping for family! Plan to wrap in November so they're all done and ready to go for December! And we're putting the tree up end of November this year so it's all done before baby arrives (due start of Dec) as I can bare to have DH decorate the tree 😂😂😂

I'm going to have to do the roll 😂 or wake DH. As we don't have any bed posts or support at the end of our bed!

I've got mint tea! Packed it in my hospital bag too aswell as chewing gum as I've heard they both help with trapped air after csection!
Also got a low level battery operated night light next to the bed for the nighttime feeds! Great recommendation! X

Honestly, don't overthink it. A thermos cup to keep your drink warm and decent pillow to prop yourself breastfeeding but beyond that it's old knickers you can throw you need not new, and food you can microwave is handy

I just had the Ikea one which was fine but I probably got more use from the V pillow overall. Nice to have the option though!

Sorry if it's a TMI suggestion but I'd really recommend a low footstool for the first poo 🙈 the kind toddlers use to reach the sink is perfect! You really don't want to feel like you're straining your stitches.

Super high waisted pants and leggings were a lifesaver too.

Oh and I would say that it's different for different women so don't assume it's as bad as tales you read here (positive stories just aren't as fun to read)