Please tell me what I’ll want to wear in hospital and at home after section

[Gettingonabitnow]

Hi

Having an elective after nightmare birth with DC1.

Am planning two big nighties for hospital with big knickers, remembering that it will be boiling on post natal Ward.

And then high waist leggings and jumpers at home.

Am I right?

Thanks x

Hi Op

I would suggest a long nightie with the big knickers for when in hospital that's what I don't back in March when I had my elective C section I was only in the hospital though for one night.

At home I continued to wear the long nightie or long loose t shirt to bed with the big knickers.

I had to wear those long compression socks as well for over a week after having the c section until the injections finished to stop clots so I'd say anything that's loose like jogging pants lounge pants even pj bottoms or maternity leggings if your not going out for the first week or so just wear what ever you feel comfortable in and what ever isn't tight or going to rub against the wound.

All the best with your c section and recovery you'll be fine I found mine was amazing and so much better as I do had elective after a nightmare of a birth experience with my first DC

Long stretchy dress for journey home
Crocs to walk around the ward in xx

Thanks ladies. Do I need a dressing down? There is no space in my hospital bag now, I can’t remember from last time!!

Dressing gown!!

I wore my dressing gown down to theatre and then after as the shock made me shiver x

If you're planning to BF, I'd make sure you've got buttoned nighties/pjs/tops and just anything baggy.
The postnatal ward is absolutely boiling as you know so maybe bring a little fan with you as well.
Good luck, my ELCS was fantastic... Hopefully yours will be too!

Yes just make sure anything you have to wear doesnt have a seam or anything that can rub on your scar. So high waist leggings/PJs/jogging bottoms/yoga pants and absolutely huge, soft knickers. One thing I found super helpful at home was a removable suction handle in the bathroom, to go on the wall next to the toilet/shower so that i could pull myself up and down more easily.

Thanks, that’s really helpful. Any tips for minimising the scar?

Also do peppermint capsules work for trapped wind?!...which I’ve heard is very real.

The trapped wind was crippling for me. Take peppermint tea to drink... it’s soothing and does help. You should also get yourself some c-section pants. I didn’t know they existed and wish I had as I’ve got an overhang that’s not going away that could have been prevented.

My scar is barely visible, I used bio oil as soon as I could.

Yes the peppermint capsules definitely work! I really recommend (2x ELCS). I got some from Holland and Barrett. Peppermint tea is good too.
Re scar - once healed you should massage it every day, if you google you can see technique, you kind of roll the skin between your fingers, this helps to prevent the scar tissue adhering to your organs behind the scar. I also used some adhesive strips called scar away, I think they helped (I scar badly though). Now the youngest is 3 and scar is very faint.

I wore a nightie, lightweight dressing gown and slippers. Had high waisted leggings and a smock top for the drive home. Mostly stayed in my maternity pjs the first couple of days home but wore leggings and bf-ing tops when people visited. I'd recommend taking a spare towel that you can roll up and press against your stitches when you start to move - a doctor in the hospital gave me that tip and it really helped. Also keep on top of your pain meds and ask for more if you need them!

I have had 2 c sections and the 1st the trapped wind was agony but didn't get it at all 2nd time thank goodness! Peppermint capsules helped loads but they gave them in hospital so if you forget I am sure you can ask.

Also the first poo is scary! I started taking lactose the week before make sure my system was keeping moving.

I knew I wanted to bf so button up nigjties and pjs. Once my catheter was out I changed into pjs as more I was more comfortable on the ward in them. Slip on slippers also good for loo trips so you don't need to bend down to put on shoes or enclosed slippers.

Good luck x

Thanks they are all great tips!

ittooshallpass - what are the c section pants? Just googled it but couldn’t see anything specific. Dreading the overhang x

www.google.com/search?safe=strict&client=safari&channel=iphone_bm&sxsrf=ACYBGNRO2pFWjSrUx1cIBaqASvzp8OjXiw%3A1573165821171&source=hp&ei=_ZrEXbTGCKzykgXw9biACw&q=c-section+support+panties&oq=c-section+support+&gs_l=mobile-gws-wiz-hp.1.2.0l3j0i22i30l5.3121.11161..12552...2.0..0.97.1265.18......0....1.......8..35i362i39j35i39j46i131j0i131j46.yj6r3TGbJmc

Basically,spot on

I bought mediwipes to take into hospital to avoid infection. I used it in bathrooms before use.

Peppermint from chemist - trapped wind in horrible.

Boots used to have high waist J cloth type disposable knickers- high to go over scar and disposable as you won't want to do laundry and may bleed more than usual.

I wore a lightweight dressing gown as hospital is hot. It was, anyway.

I dont prefer nightdresses for breastfeeding as they are more exposing. I pulled up my t shirt type pyjama top.

Had an emergency c-section on Wednesday (so much for my hopes for a water birth 😂) the trapped wind was horrendous - peppermint tea is the cure!! Thankfully I'd bought some high waisted massive knickers just in case anyway. Take something to hold between the wound and car seat belt when going home (luckily had an extra baby blanket to hand).

Off to look a c section knickers to prevent overhang now as suggested up thread! If any recommends any particular ones please let me know.

@ittooshallpass the link does t work hun

I stuck a big maternity pad on the front of my knickers, horizontally to protect and cushion the wound. Seemed to help

Sorry the link doesn’t work just search c-section pants on Google and you’ll find the info about where to get pants to support your tummy/ scar while it heals.

I had a google but they were just suck ya belly in pants lol which I wouldn't personally feel comfortable wearing too tight x

The slight compression on your lower abdomen is quite reassuring, though. I personally felt really comfortable in my C-section knickers and (maybe coincidence but) I have no overhang. I was fine wearing loose pyjamas or yoga pants over the C-section pants with a feeding bra & button-up PJ top or nursing vest.