anything I need for a caesarian?

[madmomma]

Anysone had a caesarian? Please would you tell me if there's anything I could pack in my hospital bag, other than the usual stuff. (Have had 2 babies but vaginal deliveries - so know what general stuff to take but wondered if there was anything that'd be particularly useful or comforting after a section). Ta very much.

I was surprised at how useful really big elasticated throw away pants were! My friend gave me some and I remember thinking I wasn't even going to have a c-section and doubted I'd need them but normal pants lie right over where the scar is. I think they sell them in boots and i'd opt for at least a size bigger just for comfort. Arnica also helps bring out bruising so I used that afterwards. Don't expect to be able to turn to your side or sit up properly for a bit. I was recommended to use a cushion when doing so to push down on the scar and have one in the car to cover the seatbelt from your abdomen. Other than that, stock up on paracetamol and if you have a changing station you will need it - I didn't and used the cot with a change mat on it instead. Bending will not be something you want to try! It was 3 months ago for me and the area is still numb and tingly but it did hurt for at least a month (keep those maternity stretchy topped jeans handy too!) Hope that helps and good luck

Oh and if you are BFing, a nursing pillow or something similar would be good if you ever feed in bed (you may well not feel like getting up too much for a few days) as I found it a little scary holding her anywhere near where I thought the scar was (which actually turned out to be a lot lower than it felt, but still - a stray foot can hurt!). You still get lochia too in case you didn't know. I only mention that as a friend had thought that was only with vaginal deliveries.

both times i found the tena-type actual pants better than anything else because there was no seam from a pad to rub against stitches, they come very high up, no leakage and same benefits as disposable pants ie not having to bend whatsoever to rip off. they're not as cheap but you'll only need them for a little while. Orbinator the numbness may never disappear completely but does improve a lot over a year or so. has been 4/6 yrs but my stepmum still has numb patches from 20 odd years ago. Surprising too just how many women think there's no lochia with a c/s. :)

Maybe a few extra pillows to keep yOu propped up in bed afterwards, it's amazing how much you rely on core stomach muscles to shuffle around in bed normally. And flip-flops or that type of slipper so you can get them on & off again easily when you do get up and out for shower etc.
Not in bag, obviously, but I second having a change station that's not a mat on the floor etc. Cot top is good, mat on a bench top or table is good. Getting up & down from floor is bad.

Massive pants!
Dresses or trousers with soft tops - I found that my maternity jeans were too big very quickly, and that the seam where the waistband is sewn onto the denim rubbed on my scar(s). 4 weeks post my second emcs, I am living in these and these and a dress.
Arnica
Slip on shoes and slippers
A patient DP!
"Sports" cap water bottle,, so you can drink without sitting up.

Good luck.

ditto big pants, trousers / skirts with waist band well away from scar (dresses are better still. slip on shoes. sports bottle. Long panty liners to stick to the front of your pants to pad out your scar and soak up any leakage without being too bulky and without needing sticky dressings on your skin. Make sure everything is within easy reach, including when you get home, as bending and stretching is sore. I moved cooking essentials etc onto the work tops from the cupboards.
I have never had a VB, but suspect the post- delivery poo problems are similar. high fibre foods, lactulose and loads of water to make the process easier.

Ditto big pants - buy black cheap ones from Primark. Peppermint tea - the wind afterwards is awful! Make sure your changing stuff is set up downstairs at a height which means you don't have to bend.

I agree with the poster who mentioned the disposable incontinence pants with the built in pad. They were brilliant - so comfortable, much better than paper pants and a pad.

Yes to HUGE pants and high waisted yoga pant-type trousers- you won't want anything that presses on your scar.

Yes again to the big pants and double yes to the pillows for breastfeeding. I found feeding my son in the rugby hold (i.e. to the side) was most comfy as then there wasn't any pressure on my scar, but holding him up there without pillows or cushions was wearing.

real bees honey and honey comb rubbed into a sanitary towel to heal your scar. press the sanitary towel over your scar and attach it to your pants, change once a day.

a music cd to play whilst you are havingthe c section. my dh made mine with some music we had picked out. im not sure if all hospitals allow you to play a cd but i think a lot do. they let you know in the cs section pack. it was very comforting and reassuring and i can still remember what was playing as my ds was born.

Just again confirming the need for big pants and trousers that do not press on the scar (dresses would be perfect). I had an emergency c/s and did not think about these things at all, had to do knickerless until DH had fulfilled his task of buying me some big pants!!

Peppermint tea or oil to help with trapped wind - can be very painful and sometimes it manifests itself in shoulder pain just after the section. The peppermint gets rid of it for some reason !

Most of the lounge cushions on your bed. I didn't bargain on the difficulty of getting in and out of a static bed for about 3-4 weeks. Didn't notice the issue in the hospital with a moving bed, got home and got stuck several times til we moved everything upstairs and suddenly I was comfortable again.

Big pants! I got my Mum to go and fetch me the biggest they had from Asda as the big ones I'd taken just weren't big enough!
I'd also say nightie rather than pjs for hospital as I found it really difficult to bend down to pull up trousers for a few days.

Yes yes yes to the pads and pants regarding the lochia. I didn't realise after I had an emcs with dd1 that there would still be stuff there that hadn't been expelled the usual way. Got off the bed in the hospital a day later and it was like a dam burst as I stood up. My god it was awful and the poor nurse had to come and clear it all up. You've never seen so much blood.

That's all extremely helpful ladies, and stuff I would never thought of. I will be a woman on a mission in the next few days - will buy the tena-knicker thingies, exchange the pull on slippers I've just bought for slip ons, get some extra pillows, peppermint tea, arnica & manuka honey. Oh and salt for salt baths (can you have baths?) Will also buy both those roll-top pants bikerunski - thanks for those links.

Thank you all very much! If you think of anything else please come back & add.

Not sure if you'll look at the thread again, so I have PMed you too.

You'll be advised not to drive or push a pram for 4-6 weeks so you'll also need:

1 - Chaffeur/patient DP on leave, bus and train timetables, local taxi number, online supermarket shopping account.

2 - A sling or baby carrier that put the baby's weight on your back rather than front.

I had an em CS with both my babies. With DS I was up (and practically running!) and driving, getting on like normal after 4 weeks. With DD, I am 4 wks + 3 days post CS and still very sore and couldn't dream of stamping on pedals to do an emergency stop. Still having trouble twisting (ie to reverse) too. Much slower recovery this time.

You might want to check this with doctor/nurse/midwife OP but I'm pretty sure I heard not to put salt in bath if you have stiches as the salt can make the stiches dissolve???
Check that one out, like I said I'm not entirely sure but know I heard it somewhere

Thanks Bike & little.x

Arnica tablets are fantastic.

Deffinatly take a sports cap bottle in hospital with you.

Not something you need, but a tip, get your dp/dm who ever to 'set you up' before leaving hospital after visits, so fresh drink, muslins, snacks, phone, a change for baby etc all within easy reach.

Lots of nightshirts! I was in hospital for 4 days with a bag of pajamas (has an EMCS), that I couldn't wear because of the catheter.

Take all the drugs they offer you. They kept asking me if I would "like" laxatives. I kept saying no. Didn't realise that I needed them and it wasn't really an option!

Try not to be discharged on a Sunday. We had a nightmare finding a pharmacy that was open to pick up my codeine prescription. If you are discharged on a weekend, try and persuade them to give you the drugs to take home, rather than the piece of paper!

I hope it all goes well for you. I was walking 2 miles a day when DS was 2 weeks old. Recovery isn't always as awful as you expect it to be.

Shower gel that has a hook. Dropped mine in the shower & couldn't bend to pick it up. Stood there for ages thinking if only I'd bought one with a bloody hook, then had to call the nurse as I realised you get lochia with a CS & I'd had a massive release of blood I couldn't clean up. Think that's when the tears started...oh and the bigger the pants the better DH thought I was never going to get rid of mine. Good luck x