Planned CS... what should I be taking into the hospital?

[emeraldgirl1]

Have been told I'll probably be in for 2 nights, maybe 3 (hope no longer!) so obviously I'll need to take enough 'stuff' to last me that long... but what 'stuff'?! Anything I should be thinking of apart from the obvious (cheapo knickers, pads, nursing pads, etc etc)?

Also, maybe a stupid question but am I better off with nighties or pyjamas? Obviously I don't want anything that will rub on scar area but my Pjs are all high-waisted enough to avoid that. But will bottoms drive me mad? And what do I wear for the actual op - a theatre gown, I guess? MW and hospital staff seem to think I should already know all this somehow and have given very vague answers. But I need DEFINITE answers!!! Need to feel in control of SOMETHING...

I used tena lady pants for the first 10 days and they were great! Protected the scar, I didn't worry about a pad moving as I shuffled about.

Get a pack of giant, black cotton; high waisted granny pants from m&s (and be prepared to have to ask someone to help you get them on -bending down isn't the easiest manouvre in the first 24 hours or so). I just wore a longish top after the op and then some long black jersey nighties for once I was up and about.

I would recommend packing a bag with a couple of extra nights stuff - just incase.

I spent 4 days in after an emergency c section, ran out of bits and asked DP to grab some pyjamas from home, he came back with all sorts but nothing that fit me. Not that he would know what clothes I could squeeze in to of course.

You could leave the bag at home and get him to pick that up if need be.

You will wear a gown during and after the op and you can get in to your clothes when you feel up to it.

I preferred to wear really loose pj bottoms that you could pull up over the c section scar.
Take an iPad, kindle, book etc as there may be a long wait.
Take peppermint tea to help with trapped wind.
Will have a think and get back if I think of more.

gGood Luck

Thank you everyone!!!
iPad is great advice thank you.
I've stocked up on granny pants already so feel happy about that (as happy as I can about such horrible pants!!)
Good idea too to prepare another bag for more nights - otherwise I envisage DH coming in with a bag containing useless clothing and high heeled shoes or something!

I found these brilliant for post CS. Both for feeling a bit more 'up and about' when visitors came in to hospital, and for wearing round the house once I was home.

The other thing I was really glad to have (and this would apply for any hospital stay, not just a CS) was mouthwash. Great for freshening up - it's really easy to start feeling a bit stagnant in hospital.

I wore a theatre gown for the actual op, and then when I was in recovery nurses gave me a bed bath and helped me into pad, knickers and nightie.

Good luck with it, although you'll be fine. My CS wasn't planned, but not an out and out 'emergency' either - 15 weeks ago and my recovery has been really easy and I felt pretty much back to normal within a week. In fact have had a much easier time of it than my antenatal contemporaries who had vaginal deliveries.

I keep banging on and on about this but:

• hospital mesh pants that you wear beneath your granny knickers. Jojo Maman Bebe used to do a set of 5 for 7 pounds and they were washable. Really helps with the scar.

• Put a pad horizontally over the scar. Really helps with the first poop and also with sitting up etc.

For the op you will wear a theatre gown. Sometime post recovery and after you've had some skin to skin, they will ask you to change into your own clothes. Are you planning to breastfeed? If you are, do NOT buy things with buttons down the front. It is MUCH easier to breastfeed wearing a simple top that you just pull up.

Also, brilliant general tip I read on MN, after the baby is born put some vaseline on his bottom. Will help with cleaning the first meconium especially if getting up and bending over is a problem.

Enjoy yourself and good luck!

Nightie at first because of catheter. Depends how long your hospital leaves them in but mine was nearly 24 hours.

I took both nighties and pyjamas and used them both - nighties best in the first day for catheter and just easier to get on and off. But on day 2 onwards i felt better in pyjamas, especially when walking around the ward. I got some pj bottoms that were like black yoga trousers. Bear in mind postnatal wards are boiling hot so you'll want light cotton clothing.

For the op you'll be given a hospital gown, and I was asked to take a dressing gown for the walk to theatre as well (for dignity as your bum's hanging out for all to see otherwise!). I'd have a few nursing bras too - when the milk comes in it can get everywhere! Oh and slip on slippers/ flip flops for walking about.