what clothes to pack for c-section - 3 days in hospital?

[Marmite223]

what was good to have/wish you had packed etc!

I forgot my phone charger which was a big cause of stress when trying to communicate with family etc, so make sure you pack yours, ideally one with a longer cable so it can reach to you. Also, bring ALL the snacks and make sure they are within your reach.
Clothes wise I bought my own hospital style nightie and I just wore that after the c section was complete. It's generally quite warm in the labour ward. I had the catheter in for about 24 hours so the nightie was ideal. I think I had a dressing gown too but I don't remember if I wore it much. I went home after 2 nights and on the day I went home I wore loose fitting maternity trousers (overbump) and a loose nursing top, plus a hoodie.
Top tip: Get as many of the mesh hospital knickers from the nurses as you can, they are great. They let the wound breathe. I had bought some disposable knickers and I couldn't wear them because they made my incision sweat - gross!
My other c section tip is make sure you take ALL the pain meds they offer you. Don't be a hero, it's not worth it.
Best of luck meeting your baby! Xx

Post c section on the ward I used the hospital gowns until time to go home. I was only in 36 hours post op.

Once home I lived in pyjamas (button down type) for days. Bought a size up from normal and waist band was above scar.

To go home in - in January during the snow last year - pregnancy long skirt, T-shirt, cardi. Plus Birkenstocks so easy to slip feet into and easy clothes for partner to help dress me in. Nothing tight or complicated.

For the car pack a cushion to put between seat belt and scar.

Big knickers!

I had an emergency section and needed up in for 10 days, so was totally unprepared! I had ‘under the bump’ maternity pants in my bag, they sat on my cut. DH brought me over the bump ones the next day and they were so much better. As long as the waist band for clothes/ pyjamas are above the scar you should be fine
I found boots maternity pads the best.
Long charging cable, snacks, book/ iPad, slip on slippers/ shoes, your own pillow (I used my pregnancy pillow), compact mirror if you want to have a look at the scar too!

Good luck &

Definitely big high waisted knickers! Nothing that will sit on your incision wound... other than that nothing special for section, just general hospital bag stuff. Hope all goes well

By the way, do you know you need 3 days? Best to pack in case, but I was in 2 nights after an emcs, and less than 24 hrs with elcs. They couldn't wait to get rid of me for some reason!

Take some pjs just in case you are in much more than 24 hours afterwards, once your catheter is out there is nothing worse than feeling exposed walking around, plus if it is warm you are more covered without needing a dressing gown, you could also pop in a zip up hoodie to wear over a nursing vest & pj bottoms. Take earplugs, a sleep mask, headphones, something to read, a drinks bottle with straw, some squash or cordial, snacks & your own painkillers so you don't have to wait hours past when you need them. Get incontinence pads or pants instead of maternity pads, the most absorbant ones you can, pants are better because they don't move around. Yoga pants or leggings to go home in. Some Ugg boots or some stretchy or lace up trainers as your feet will be swollen with the fluids thy give you during & after your CS.