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.

Yes yes! take the laxatives. get a bottle of lactulose for when you get home. I was given oramorph (morphine) + ibuprofen + paracetamol for the first 24 hours, then Ibuprofen and paracetamol for the next 2 weeks (but stopped after a few days). They may send you home with iron if you lost more blood than usual. This makes the constipation worse! Morphine and codeine also make you constipated. I also think (but I may well stand corrected) than they can get into breast milk. That might be why they are reluctant to hand them out.

Right I'm half way through my packing and I don't know what I would've done without this thread, so thanks.

About drugs: I'm allergic to diclophenac, so have bought some kickass superstrength nurofen to take in place of that. Think that'll be ok? Also taking my own stash of paracetamol. Am going to avoid codeine and morphine if possible, cos have piles & am scared of constipation. That said, if I need them, I need them.

Atomant thanks for the shower gel tip. I think that would finish me off too if I dropped it & couldn't pick it up. Will ditch my posh L'Occitane bottle for a hook jobbie.

nancerama Good job you told me about the catheter - didn't know I'd have one. Will get a couple of extra nighties. Just bought 2 prs of lovely soft 'jamas, too. Never mind, I'll save them for when I get home.

The trapped wind, and releasing thereof, sounds absolutely delightful! Will pray for a side room!

Definitely bring your own drugs. I'm doing that if I do it again.
And flip flops. You need shoes you can slide into because you can't bend to put them on.

Blimey, my hospital plied me with drugs, sent me home with 100 paracetomol, 50 diclophenac and a bottle of lactulose!

Shower gel with a hook is genius!!!! I wish I'd had some, but neither of my CSes were planned.

After 3 CS my biggest tip is yoga trousers. They type you can buy which have a fold down top as they are comfy but also supportive around the scar / belly. Live in them for a month after which point life will be far easier all round! Enjoy your baby!

As long as you take your lactulose, you won't have problems with the codeine.

I really really recommend you take it for at least the first few days. I think I took it for the first 5 or 6 days - it takes the edge off the pain so you can get moving. I tried coming off it on day 4 and got stuck at the top of the stairs!

I hear you nancerama. Thanks

white company have fantastic roll top yoga trousers, I wore them throughout my last pregnancy and treated myself to a couple of new pairs for post delivery, if you roll the waist up they feel like maternity wear, lovely and cosy round your tum! Not certain but if you're planning to breastfeed I don't think you can take ibuprofen? Paracetamol on it's own definitely didn't cut it for me for the first week or so, i was asleep when discharged so didn't realise they'd only sent home paracetamol and diclophenac until i was home.

I took flip flops to use as slippers and to wear in the shower and a dressing gown to cover up while on the move. Second the nightdresses too, much easier than pj's. Lots of bottles of water and some cereal bars for energy, also took some oranges for something fresh. Oh and some extra cotton wool for nappy changes in case they're running short.

Forgot to say good luck!!

All this brings back such memories.

Cushions for support, oh yes! But not just any cushions, the ones with little polystyrene 'beans' inside are ace. I also took my own blanket - home from home!

Crocs at least one size, preferably two sizes too big. Super comfy and handy for wading through the inevitable bits of other-peoples'-placenta in the showers.

Straw bottle rather than a sports bottle. Easier to operate.

Chocolate, cereal and (UHT if necessary) milk and loads of extra snacks. I was constantly ravenous and the food was sparse and not great. Fruit to help things move along. Loads of water and juice. Sometimes they seem to not want you to drink so they don't have to keep emptying your wee bag.

Music - for during and aftet. Something like an iPod with little speakers is ideal for the actual op. Your own music can be very soothing. Make sure it is fully charged and speakers have batteries. Shouldn't be a issue really but when I had DS1 they tried to tell me there was no space (for an iPod!) Then that there were no available sockets. They were listening to some talk sport crap on the radio and didn't intend to stop. DS1 was born to Mozart.

Am all over the yoga trousers thing.They sound so comfy. I'll look at the white company ones.
I really hope I can take ibuprofen - will check. I'll certainly need it for those evil afterpains.

B O A K to wading through strangers' placenta-bits!

Don't forget to ask whoever is with you in hospital to leave EVERYTHING you might need within reach the first night because you won't be able to get out of bed and you don't want to have to buzz for a midwife just because your dd/ds has done a poo and your dh has thoughtfully left the nappies on the other side of the room...

This thread is full of great advice, I agree wholeheartedly on the taking of lactulose and don't stop taking it after one normal poo, keep going with it until you've finished all the pain meds.

Not an important thing but in theatre I felt very hot and had a really itchy face (from the drugs they were giving me) and found a cool flannel pressed to my face (by otherwise helpless dh) was bliss.

Oh another thing, of you don't know the sex of the baby and want your partner to tell you, mention it ahead of time. With my second (more organised) section I will never forget the look on dh's face as he told me we had a son.

Good luck!

Ahh that's so sweet about your son, Bottomus. This one's a girl - I'm far too impatient to wait to find out. I've a 13yr old DD and a 1yr old DS, so looking forward to having a pink one again

I'm glad to hear having a teenage daughter hasn't put you off having another dd - I'm dreading the teenage years!!

I also second the yoga trousers, I had a pair (I didn't realise they were yoga trousers at the time ) which I lived in during my pgs and after!

Hmm - it did put me off to be perfectly honest, I blatantly wanted a boy but am clinging to the positives! Sure she'll be lovely

Another couple of things I remembered.

Empty carrier bags so that you can send your and your babies washing home each day.

Note pad and pen. If there's anything you need to be brought in for you, write it down. By the time my visitors arrived I was so excited to have company that I used to forget what I was meaning to ask them.

I also stocked up the boot of the car like a giant hospital bag with extras of all the bulky stuff (nappies, cotton wool, maternity towels etc). When my stash in hospital was running low, DH could nip to the car and restock. Much easier than sending him out to buy more and have him coming back with the wrong thing!