Hospital bag for elective c-section

[bigboobsatlast]

Any one out there had an elective c-section with previous pregnancies? I had a natural birth with my DD but will be having a c-section this time round. I have seen that you can get all different things for c-sections - different pants, supports etc. Any advice on what I need in my hospital bag? Thanks!

Hi,
I had an emergency c-section with DS1 and then an elective with DS2. Too be honest, there was no different in bags. Actually, I did not pack the pain relief (TENS) etc. What I should have taken was books/reading material since was admitted at 10am but did not give birth until 16.15 since any emergencies were first and then any complicated pregnancies. I was operated on last and bored since already read the paper. Remember you can't eat but you are given anti-sickness pills. You should remember snacks since when you can eat (I was the next day) then you are absolutely starving! Did not get any special pants etc since I had a dressing in special and then lovely old granny briefs! The recovery is quick in an elective with minimal blood loss so your energy levels are still good.

Other thing, my DH decided he could not eat in front of me since he felt guilty so was nearly faint with hunger. Remember food for birthing partner or send then out for food.

Good luck

I didn't buy anything in particular just for having a c-section.

I would suggest the following:

Big granny type pants that will rest over your belly (not the bikini type that will rest on your scar), comfy clothes too.

I'd maybe bring hand wipes/ baby wipes / antibac hand gel - as you won't be able to get up til the next day and I liked to keep my hands clean before handling my baby.

Oh, perhaps some antibac soap (maybe tea tree or something) to wash in the shower with, to keep your scar nice and clean.

Have just bought some M&S classic full briefs for post-CS - they are huge! They come up to my tummy button even at 32 weeks, so I think they'll do. My ELCS is booked for 9 March and am starting to think about packing too.

Hi, I'm going in very shortly. I'm taking reading material, a sports drink bottle so I can drink without having to sit up and engage tummy muscles, wipes, tissues, lip balm type stuff I can grab. Nightgowns rather than pj's due to catheter/scar/not wanting to balance on one foot. Snacks & drinks. Ipod. Camera. Make-up. Dry shampoo in case it's a while until I can shower.

Something comfy and non-restrictive to go home with + cushion in car to go between me and seatbelt. Easy to put on shoes - uggs?

thanks everyone! I think I need to get myself some granny pants!

I just had an emcs and had such a badly packed hospital bag for it! The things I really missed were comfortable PJ bottoms and vest tops, as I found I was up and about quite early on and sitting in a nighty (which I had been obsessed with buying even though I don't normally wear them, as all the lists recommended buying nightys) and a dressing gown just felt wrong and, in my mind, made me feel somehow more 'poorly'. PJs were actually easy to put on and the catheter gets removed after about 12 hours - so maybe take both so you have a choice over what is comfortable? Also, the gas afterwards was UNBELIEVABLE and all I wanted was Rennies or Gaviscon but the hospital would only give gripe water, so I'd definitely recommend them as well if you find them useful.

Good luck!

I am due to have my 2nd ELC very soon & can only echo what others have said... Big pants!! I have packed 2 nighties & P.J's too, but I do remember it being painful to bend & hard to get P.J's on on my own..same with pulling up knickers when going to the loo.. key is don't let them fall to floor!! Also just taking more of everything really 6 babygrows, vests etc as expect to be in 2 to 3 days!! Something comfy & loose to come home in too.

Flip flops. It's not easy bending to put shoes on.

A lovely friend of my had an Elcs last year and I wanted to bring in a parcel with all the things she might need so I asked all the lovely mn's on here what was essential.

Things that were appreciated. Drinking straws, fresh coffee bags and green tea bag. Thick socks, big pants, gossip mags, hand and face wipes, a can of magi cool, and burts bees for the baby

Good luck

Would highly recommend taking in your own bed mats, (like the type little ones have for bedwetting or boots sell for when your waters break) I had an emcs last time and until the catheter is out you are basically laying in bed bleeding out onto a bed mat. I was as pretty grossed out at the infrequency that these were changed in my hospital, all are different but obv if they're busy then you can be waiting a while for bedding changing etc. Also a LONG dressing gown. all my suggestions seem to be related to my horror at the catheter!! Personally felt quite embarrassed walking down to the breakfast room with lots of male visitors about. But then I'm a massive prude

Was up and about really quickly and home after around 30 hours with some excellent drugs so the pain never touched the sides. Good luck x x

Food, drinks and vaseline. My lips went very dry!

Peppermint oil I was in agony with trapped wind after ELCS it was a god send!!

Mix the peppermint oil with hot water and drink btw

No knickers can be too big. The hideous giant floral pastel ones in the hospital shop? Not big enough.

Don't forget a new, big fluffy dressing gown A nice treat for you that you can get away with as 'sensible wear'

Pack it now. I had a elcs with DC2 but didn't make it as went in to labour 2 days earlier and hadn't packed!

Your own paracetemal and neurofen. Dont od obviously! Get OH to make discreet notes. You'd be amazed at how many drug rounds it is possible to miss.

EARPLUGS and ipod with in ear bud earphones so you can at least drown out noise of others inconsiderate folk in your ward.

Def pj trousers or maternity leggings as you will be lounging around in the day for a while, not a nighty! And lets face it, most tummies do not shrink immediately so your dressing gown still isn't going to do up!

Food! Packet biscuits and a bottle of squash, and totally second whoever said a sports cap bottle.
They get you up fairly quick these days so I got to the shower before I felt too rank.

LACTULOSE. Just ask for some! Or buy some and take it with you. Pooing is hard work.