Planned section, what essentials or tips would you recommend

[Iluv]

I'm due to have a planned section on the 14th, this is my first section and third pregnancy

Does anybody that's been through it have any tips on what essentials I need or what helped you?

My partner is only allowed in theatre for the duration of section and has to leave when I am stitched up and I won't see him again until I'm going home a few days later.

Any tips or ideas that you found helpful, I'd really appreciate it, thank you

Nobody?

I've got my section booked for tomorrow so hopefully will be able to give you some advice after that! I had one before but it was pre COVID and 5 years ago!

Just going into my pre-op appointment shortly. I'm nervous already.

Tena pants for afterwards miles more comfy over incision than disposable pants

Disposable knickers and plenty of decent pads. Hand cream. Fleece blanket. Snacks and drinks if you won't be having visitors who can bring stuff in. A few books. Babies can sleep a lot.. It doesn't last!! Make sure dh has his phone and gets lots of pics!

Whatever drink you like, bring a case in with you. MIL bought be a case of mien and I could have kissed her. Hospital is so dehydrating and you don't want to bother people. Lip salve. Ditto. Throat lozenges. The dry air gave me a cough and no one wants that at the moment!

The hardest part will be being away from your family, so make sure any other children understand that you may be gone for a few days in a worst case scenario.

Make sure your older kids will be able to climb in/out of things without you having to lift them. If they get hurt and need a hug, just get down on the floor with them.

Everything for hospital in a suitcase sort of bag that you can keep on the bed with you so you can reach everything. Lots of nappy bags and a small/disposable changing mat, and a little tupperware box of water if you are not using wipes at first, so you can change nappies from your hospital bed. Very long charger cable.

Get yourself walking around the hospital as soon as you can.

Pack yourself some packed lunch type meals, loads of snacks and a massive water bottle that won't leak. No one can bring you extra food right now.

Have a spare bag packed with more clothes and nappies, in case you end up staying longer than you need.

Look up the rugby ball hold if you are planning to breastfeed. If you are separated from the baby afterwards (if baby needs some extra help and you are not yet able to get out of bed to visit) insist that someone helps you express colostrum and takes it to the baby. Insist on your right to feed your baby and get someone to wheel you to the baby ward to visit if necessary.

Start laying in a supply of paracetamol and ibuprofen. You will need to take two of each every 4-6 hours for a week or two and shops won't let you buy much in one go.

Do not lift heavy things. Do not exercise beyond daily chores until 6 weeks. Nothing more than long walks for 10 weeks and wait until about 6 months before running. Honestly more like a year before serious high impact exercise.

Massive knickers to go over your scar. Slip on shoes. Comfy trousers.

Buy some good toys and hide them in reserve for days when you and the baby just need to feed/rest.

Batch cook while you can.

Oh and enjoy picking up your older children and giving them a big hug. It will be a little while before you can do it again, but the time will fly. Good luck

Thanks for starting this thread @Iluv, I'm also going to be having a planned section for my third so this is really helpful as my first two were natural/spontaneous vaginal deliveries

I had a section in feb -
Snacks and chocolate

A few changes of clothes

Maternity pads and breast pads

Changes of clothes for baby as well as nappies, wipes etc

Ready made formula bottles if you’re going down that route for feeding

I took and iPad and earphones which was a godsend when my son slept non stop but I couldn’t because of the noise

Phone and charger

Leaving for home outfit, I wore my maternity leggings and a loose dress

If you can, keep track of when you have your painkillers because I’m sure I had a longer gap than I should have between my first and second dose on the recovery ward but I hadn’t logged when I took it so couldn’t do anything about it

Don’t be worried to call the midwife to help you with the baby etc they’re there to care for you both and you will need help to lift baby etc for the time you’re in hospital

They will make you walk around ASAP to prevent blood clots, mentally prepare yourself for this

They will also want you to wee within a set time frame, don’t be surprised if you can’t, I sat on the toilet for 20 mins and just couldn’t get it to work but tried again thirty mins later and you wouldn’t believe the amount!

Track babies feeds it’ll help you know how much baby has had when all time seems to stop in there and helps you answer the midwifes questions

Know that the ward will probably be loud so might not be the most relaxing experience but that it’s not forever and will soon feel like a distant memory when you’re home with baby

@questionssquestions so helpful 🙌

Key for me - if you have a toddler gave a big pillow or cushion at the ready to protect your belly when you see them again! I was petrified of my DD jumping on me and it broke my heart and hers when I had to keep her at a distance for a while. That extra layer of protection really makes you feel more secure

Peppermint tea bags, really helped settle my tummy and bowels. If I smell it now I go all nostalgic.

Hi Hun myself and my husband did private anti natal classes...I didn't have a section but was recommended the following... painkillers, big knickers that won't rub on the wound if I had to have a section, tena lady nappies (these were amazing), chewing gum after a section helps with after pains, energy drinks, arnica tablets to help with healing xxx

Flip flops. For the shower, to use as slippers and also for when you leave hospital-you don’t want to be trying to bend down to put shoes on.

Big comfy clothes! I was given so much IV fluids that I was like a balloon! Also a water bottle with a straw and lip balm. Flip-flops and some nice toiletries so that when the catheter comes out you can have a shower. A phone charger with a long cable as the plugs are never convenient!

The best advice I got was to get large freezer bags and in each put a full outfit for the baby and a nappy. It saved lots of rummaging around in bags.

I had a section 4 weeks ago and the one thing I didn't have enough of was comfy clothes for when I got home. It was an emergency section I had bought loads of baggy and floaty trousers for after birth but I am still most comfortable in big pants and floaty dresses. I wish I had bought leggings

@niki26

I've got my section booked for tomorrow so hopefully will be able to give you some advice after that! I had one before but it was pre COVID and 5 years ago!

Just going into my pre-op appointment shortly. I'm nervous already.

Oh wow best of luck, i hope it all goes well for you x

Some great tips there, thanks so much for your help and suggestions it is very much appreciated

I had a planned section in April. It was tricky being immobile and alone on the first night (I was in for 5 nights) but these things helped:
Big water bottle that you can fill up/ ask HCA to fill up (the jugs are tiny)
Phone charger with phone on your bed
Big pants - I bought but didn’t use tena pants. I could hardly move so pads were easier than lifting/ bending up and down to take pants off
Snacks - more than you think you will need
Peppermint tea/ capsules
Loose fitting clothes. I took stretchy mat trousers but they were too uncomfy on my tummy. Ended up wearing a beach dress
Slippers (flip flops are tricky with the stockings yoi have to wear)

Good luck!

Tie something like a dressing gown tie at bottom of the bed so use can use it to help pull yourself Up at night for the first couple at home. As before stockpile ibuprofen paracetamol and laxative. Good luck!

Peppermint tea

Oh my the trapped gas after is no laughing matter.

Will you actually be kept in? I went home 24 hours after. Covid esp they don't like you staying longer than you have to

Lots of good tips on here so I won’t repeat them but I found with my second section that on the way home putting a blanket between my stomach and the seat belt made it much more comfortable and I was less frightened of any sudden braking. Not sure if it’s been mentioned but either ask for lactulose or have something at home to make you “go” more easily as the first time after can be scary. Drink lots of water after for the same reason.
Also when you’re home take things easy and at your own pace; after my first section I tried to do too much and my pain lasted longer while after my second I really listened to my body and only did things when I felt ready and the recovery was easier that way.
also when you’re home and in bed use pillows to prop yourself up and under your knees so you feel less stretched and when you need to get up roll onto your side and off the bed that way.

If you don’t have a long phone charger cord, take a portable charging pack. Sometimes the plug sockets are really far from the bed and you’ll probably want to be video calling your partner/family constantly.

Take a book/magazines to keep you occupied on the ward.

And definitely flip-flops or the loosest shoes you own. I couldn’t fit any of the shoes I packed on my feet when I was leaving!

Snacks that are easily reachable, peppermint tea, phone charger (or one of those portable chargers), kindle. Support pillow to help prop baby up?

Had a planned section twelve days ago , definitely get a long charging cord like 2 metres , make sure the things you want are next to the bed or on the table for after surgery as you won't be moving much. Definitely get your birthing partner to bring in camera or phone for the birth , along with music that you want.
I enjoyed the time on my own with the baby and anytime I needed to change him Or lift him all I had to do was buzz and someone would help me which was great. As others have said try to be as mobile as you can after but don't do too much too soon

I had a planned section in December. Definately take snacks and drinks. Big knickers (my hospital supplied pads) nightie with low neck or buttons so you can boob feed if you want to. Maternity Leggings or loose dungarees or a dress to come home in (I had jersey dungas from boohoo-they we're awesome. Big cardy with pockets too. Long charging cable. Ooh and a v pillow was a god send that first night. Don't be afraid to ask for help and pain meds -my partner stayed but if he hadn't idve needed lots of help that first night. I got to go home 3pm the day after so it was easier I guess for me. Good luck!