Hospital Bag For C - Section

[lolabanola]

I have a c - section booked for the 24th, i think that I have everything packed that I will need (big pants, maternity pads, dressing gown, slippers, nightwear, book, soap, toothpaste etc).

What I am unsure about is how much should I pack for my baby? How many outfits / sleepsuits? Nappies? Bibs? etc! Do I need to take my own blankets for her? Do they provide cotton wool or do I take that too? I need 3 - 5 days worth of clothes for her. Any ideas?!

Also does anyone know if having a c - section will allow me to have a private room?

I didn't get a private room for either of my CS but you might get lucky!
I would take a sports bottle for drinking water. I found it hard to move and reach up to get the water cup, at least if you have a sports bottle you can tip it in your mouth.
I'd take snacks as well, as hospital food can be a dire (and I am always starving when BF so need more than they provide)
Your partner can bring in more clothes and take away dirty stuff so I wouldn't take too much even if you are anticipating a 3-5 day stay. I had first CS 2 1/2 years ago and was kept in 3 nights but this March I was only kept in 2 nights so don't assume a long hospital stay either.
Take your own cotton wool, nappies and bibs.
Blankets are supplied.
I'd take 4 or 5 vests and 4 or 5 babygrows plus a cardigan for coming home in. I've never bothered with scratch mitts but some people use them. Some babygrows have bits that fold over (integral scratch mitts!)

I managed to get a private room with my planned cs, but they only allocate them after the op so I had to stay overnight in the post natal ward first. I pestered the midwives non stop so they got sick of me and were probably glad when I was stuck in a room on my own .

I took herb tea bags, cup a soups (lots of food after a cs can be uncomfortable on a sore stomach), flip flops, sarong, huge stomach control pants, mesh hospital pants.

For baby I took about 12 sleepy suits, nappies and cotton wool. They don't really need much when they are that tiny, the hospital provided the blanket.

Don't bother with the book!

Hospitals are so hot that I didn't bother with a dressing gown either.

Do make sure the slippers are easy to shuffle into. Bending is no fun at all after a Caesarian.

I'd take six vests/bodysuits and six sleepsuits, just in case of leaks, possetting etc, a packet of disposable nappies, a lot of cotton wool and a barrier cream.

Muslins are more useful than bibs at this stage.

I think DH brought a blanket to tuck round the car seat when going home but I didn't need any in hospital.

Don't forget something comfy for you to go home in too.

As I recall, if you had a Caesarian, you couldn't have a private room, the idea being that other mothers could raise the alarm if you fell out of bed, but everyone is curtained off in their own private universe afterwards, so it doesn't make much difference.

Congratulations!

Any idea on how many nappies? Or would it be best just to take a pack?

Thanks for all replies so far! Also, does anyone know how strict the visiting hours are on the maternity wards? and do they regulate the amount of visitors you have at once?

Bring a packet.

Visiting /vistiors vary widely depepnding on hospital.

I am having a private room unless there are emergencies who get priority.

If it is a planned section then I would take a book! I was second on the list for afternoon surgery but still had to go in at 10am. I sent DH home for a bit as he would have gone stir crazy (he isn't good in hospitals anyway) so killed the time with my book. If there had been any emergencies then I would have been bumped even later. I found I really needed something to keep my mind off the op when waiting. (first CS was an EMCS so completely different)
At our local hospital visiting hours are very strict (apart from partners and siblings) and yes they limit numbers.
I took a dressing gown and was relieved as I was gowned up on the ward and had to walk over to the area outside the theatre - as we all know hospital gowns gap at the back so I would take a dressing gown too unless you fancy showing off your bum

Prune juice and Arnica

windeze! you'd be amazed how much trapped wind you get after a c-section.

a pile of magazines might be better than a book - easier to lay next to you and flip when feeding etc Also needs less concentration!

bag of snacks like cereal bars and flapjacks and lots of water

and with your big knickers, go for 2 sizes bigger than normal for the first couple of days - I swelled up something chronic after both my sections and had to go up massively in knicker size. Also meant i could double pad myself

Oh, and another tip re. after sections - get some always night time winged pads. Put a maternity pad or two on top of these - the extra length and wings really help when you are immobile at preventing leaks

Advice has been great, many thanks to all!

What nightwear do you have? If you've got a yellow handbag pj bottoms could be tricky.

lol took me a while to work out what you meant by yellow handbag - far too early of a morning for me!! Got a nightdress to wear intially and then hoping to wear pj's after that, hate nightdresses!!

I didn't bring anything for the baby (just a going home outfit) as everything is provided by the hospital over here.

For me, arnica and shower gel with a hook were life saver post em cs.

If you're on the NHS you won't be staying in long for an elective section. If all goes well, you'll be at home within 48 hours, so don't pack your kitchen sink!

I also had awful trapped wind with both my CS, take peppermint tea bags in case as they help the bowel.
Think everyone else has covered it all - good luck! Mine have both been planned and wonderful experiences.