Hospital bag for ELCS - any different?

[seamistbythesea]

At the moment I am booked for ELCS at 39 weeks. Last time had EMCS and not even a hospital bag ready so trying to be more prepared this time. Found various lists of what should be in hospital bag - just wondered what would be different if having c-section?

I had the same as you, emcs and nothing ready hoping for a nice elcs this time
I think:
Pants that come up high over the scar
Same with any bottoms and lose fitting - I was really swollen
Sports water bottle for easy drinking in bed if you can't get up

Peppermint oil and peppermint tea to ease the trapped wind pain.

Very high pants so they won't be sitting on scar.

Prunes and natural laxatives to aid going to the toilet post section.

Playlist of music you want played while baby is being born.

Good luck!

nighties rather than pjs in case catheter is kept in for 24 hrs or more
Bottoms and underwear that will go up above bikini line to avoid catching stitches/rubbing
More vests/babygros with you (or clearly marked in bags at home) as you'll be in longer
More snacks (longer hospital stay)
Earplugs (longer hospital stay)
Flip flops/slip on sandals as you can't bend down
Book
Baby/facial wipes to use until you can move and have a shower
Gentle shower gel

I had everything in labelled bags to make it easier if I asked someone to get me something.

Make sure your partner gets anything you might want overnight out for you and conveniently placed before he leaves you and make sure the call button thing is attached to bed (mine fell off and couldn't reach it).

Mothercare c-section knickers.. Bloody brilliant for afterwards compared to high waisted knickers :)

Shower gel/ shampoo on a hook.
Slip on shoes. Preferably loose as your feet may well awell aftet birth . Crocs are ideal for this (unfortunately).
No "under bump" bottoms, as this = "on the scar".

That's fab thank you - has anyone tried the theraline c section belt?

A pillow for holding to your stomach as you leave the hospital as speed bumps are horrible.

And ask for a side car crib as it's much easier to get your baby in and out.

A blanket for you as I was freezing at night and it was a very hot outside in July.

I did get a theraline cushion and it was good for cushioning the scar when I had to leave the house and couldn't get away with wearing pjs/yoga pants. It was also good for protection against my toddler hitting the scar.

Definitely snacks and something to read or do as sleeping is so hard in the hospital bed. And very stretchy clothes to wear home.. I was bigger when I left afterwards due to being swollen x

Sat on the ward post semi ELCS (booked for that so bag packed but then came in early for EMCS) and the things I have learned since being in:

• needing to wear TED stockings so slip on shoes would have been easier than the flip flops I packed.
• ear plugs and eye mask
• LOVE the tights idea to pull yourself up, that would definitely have helped
• dark coloured trousers only (saw it on a list, didn't understand why...I do now!)
• thermal cup with a sealed lid so you can prop it on the bed next to you to save twisting to reach the table each time (plus helps you have at least one drink hot because I've found the drinks lady always managed to arrive either when I was feeding/trying to sleep post feed so my tea was always stone cold by the time I got to it)
• get somebody to bring you in packs of the prepared fruit. I found the ward unbearably hot and sometimes just craved some juicy fruit like a tropical fruit salad rather than the sad Apple I would get from catering

Think that's it. Not sure all of them are different for EMCS to ELCS

Having had an emcs last time I am booked for an elcs on 18th May. This has totally given me a kick up the backside to get my bags packed! Thanks! X

The tights tied to the bed rails, is that for beds that don't have up-and-down buttons? I wanted to take the bed home with me after my emcs!

Some more great advice - thank you :)