hospital bag for c section

[OwlinaTree]

Is there anything extra you would advise packing in the hospital bag in the event of a c section? I'm having an elective section, so any advice from ladies who have had a section would be great.

I'm packing peppermint capsules (to relieve some of the trapped wind) and lactulose and fybogel and pretty much anything to help the bowels get going again!

However, there is some evidence that some women's supply gets affected by peppermint oil. Mine never did (I EBF all of mine no problems even when taking peppermint oil) but some do.

I like the fact my hospital bag is smaller for an ELCS because you know you don't need to worry about the labour stuff!

Cheap granny knickers that go above where your section cut will be so as not to irritate it.

Loose nighties not pj bottoms (I found them more comfortable after my c sections.

Oh and an absolute god send was Arnica tablets/pills, you can get them from the chemist, helped loads with the internal bruising/healing.

Water bottle with a sports cap, for drinking lying down
Shower gel in a bottle with s hook
No "under bump " clothes - they will be "on the scar".
Shoes or slippers you can shuffle into without leaning down / Crocs are perfect.

YY to very big pants

Super comfy yoga style bottoms to wear home.
Have some peppermint tea waiting at home for you. The trapped wind after I got home was more painful than the wound!

I second water bottle with sports cap , it was great for the first couple of days in hospital.

Ginger ale also worked a treat for relieving trapped wind.

I'm having elective and all I was planning on taking was:

Underwear, vest tops, cardigan, big pants, slippers, nighties. Pads, toiletries, iPad, charger and mobile

Pretty much what Bornin has said. But dont forget some form of entertainment.

Would also suggest a pair of ear plugs and sleeping mask, as your having a section your going to be there 2-4 days and listening to other peoples babies crying 24/7.

Another yes to HUGE pants! They were brilliant after my ELCS to have my DTs :)

I found peppermint cordial diluted in warm water a god send. The windy pains afterwards were more painful than the pain from the CS.

BIG pants. I ended up wearing the net knickers that the hospital provide as the ones I had night were too uncomfortable.

Slippers or flips flops. Something easy enough to just slip your feet into.

Yes also to shower gel in a bottle with a hook. I had a shower in hospital after c section and it was comical. Don't put anything on the floor as you won't be able to pick it up again on your own. That goes for your towel and the clothes you want to change into

Thanks for all those tips, I shall shop accordingly today!

Huge pants - in several sizes bigger than your pre-baby size. Think "could a family of five comfortably use this as a tent? And that's about the size you need

Front opening nighties/bedshirts are a must. Warm big socks.

I didn't wear any panties in hospital bed! With the cathater and the cut.

When cathater was out I was given net knickers I liked them tbh xxx

Flip flops to wear in the shower as the floors can be gross. Cereal bars, snacks etc for when you aren't able to get to the food trolley quick enough when a meal is served!

Oh also some loosish clothing. Not necessarily maternity stuff but kind of loose tops etc.

Bought the big pants today, primarni!

A dressing gown rope to loop through the bottom of the bed frame to help you sit up is apparently very handy!

Minicc that's genius! Do the midwives help you lift baby in the night when dp isn't there?

They took ds in the night when I was on post natal ward. Thank goodness it was only one night. He came back the next morning with a dummy!!

I had a room to myself so they were really flexible with letting Dh stay all day. I didn't have a straightforward delivery tho and had spend a few nights in HDU and a night back on delivery. They were really good when it came to letting Dh stay otherwise ds was being cared for in scbu.