Hospital bag - ELCS

[strawberryplum993]

Hi all,

Have ELCS scheduled due to breech baby. Just wondering if anyone who has had an ELCS has any must haves for a hospital bag, or things they wish they had taken?

Thanks!

Something to help with the wind afterwards
..was the worse bit!! Perhaps Lactulose but not sure if that works really! High waisted knickers to go above the scar.

A long phone cable so you can charge your phone and use it in bed. You won't be able to scrabble on around behind your back looking for it

I think all the usual stuff but definitely:

Loads of paracetamol
Massive pants
Water bottle with a built in straw, life save for at home too
People say windeez or peppermint tea but I found I didn't need mine but doesn't hurt to take
Sugary drink for after or a bottle of squash, I was so thirsty after

Keep your things organised and separate so if you do need to get something you're not rooting around too much. Keep your stuff, babies stuff and food etc in separate bags.

I also felt quite sick for a while after so a sugary drink or some squash to flavour the water.

I got given some lavender pillow spray which I thought was a bit naff but actually it was just nice and refreshed the bedding and the room a bit as they are quite stuffy.

Oh! I actually took an extension lead too as the plugs are always far from you.

Satin type pj bottoms so you can shimmy up the bed without pulling your tum too much.

I was told to drink a bottle of lucozade sport the morning of the op (before 6am) as it would aid recovery. I’m not sure whether it made a difference but I feel like I’ve had an easier recovery than my last one. I also drank two bottles in the day that followed the op.

I second the suggestions of a long reach phone charger and some granny pants to go over well over the c section incision. A bottle that you can drink from lying reclined is useful too.

Some people have suggested lactulose and peppermint tea. I didn’t take this with me but I was given it on the postnatal ward due to shoulder pain.

Best of luck.

Loads of big thick maternity pads, some for your knickers and I found sticking one to the inside of my knickers to cushion the incision really helpful, provided a bit of cushioning when pressing it to help myself sit up and walk ect.

Nighties

Shoes that doesn’t require your hands to put on, bending down will be sore.

Hair bands

A hand held fan! The postnatal ward is insanely hot. Extra bottles of water too within easy reach.

Might be frowned upon here, but a ready made baby bottle of milk. Getting in and out of bed is really tough after a c-section (although I've since heard nurses can help pass the baby to you - wasn't my experience though and not sure what is usual), there will be lots of needles left in hand etc. My milk took longer to come through due to c-section and if baby isn't getting enough, then a bit of help from formula can save you both some distress. Also second lactulose before and after section - first poo is horrid so make it easier! Definitely flip flops for the shower. Keep a bottle of water in your bed and anything else you might need - staff often move the table out of reach. Thin breastfeeding top or button up pjs for easy access to breasts if breastfeeding! Big knickers. Try to get some decent sleep in before as will be woken a lot on ward. I've had 3 sections - all were very different in terms of recovery and how I felt after. Hope it goes smoothly. Congratulations!

If breastfeeding, something with easy access.

I wish I'd organised my bag better as I couldn't get things for myself and it was frustrating every time I wanted something as it wasn't easily accessible. I'd have preferred everything in separately labelled zip bags.

Like others have said, a long charging cable was useful too.

This is so useful, thanks so much everyone! Definitely some things I didn’t even think of so going to make a list now.

Drinking bottle with a sports cap so you can drink in any position.

Pack into lots of small bags rather than one big one. When you're in bed, you can only reach whatever is on the chair next to you, so smaller bags you can store there and lift to your lap to access is easier than a large bag on the floor.

Snacks. Sooooo many snacks! I was starving hungry and craved protein snacks.

Peppermint tea. I've had three sections and at times thought things had gone badly wrong when acute pain hit. Peppermint tea fixed a surprising number of things!

Lip balm. Hot dry wards and medication leads to dry lips.