C Section Hospital Bag

[19annie86]

Is there anything extra you need to take from the norm if having a c section, or anything I could remove from bag. Do you still need maternity pads

I had an emergency C-section, if I had one again I'd make sure I packed:

• big granny pants that go over the wound & dressing. Some women prefer pants that fit under the wound.
• nighties/maternity dresses in case your catheter needs to stay in, it is annoying having trousers with a catheter IMO. Happy Mama do ones that allow easy breastfeeding access.
• something that makes it possible to give yourself a sponge bath. I used an actual sponge but a flannel or similar would work. That way you can wash without getting your wound dressing wet.
• a mirror that has its own stand, so you can see your wound when washing
• a big pillow. I struggled to pull myself up, it was handy having a big pillow to be able to prop myself up (and of course the hospital bed controls will help too). The hospital pillows were quite thin.
• a power bank. DH put it on charge during the day, then I could charge my phone at night without having to get up. I also had a long charger but my bedspace was cramped so it was easily knocked, and anything on the floor was very hard to get to.
• a change mat for baby, so you can change them on your bed/lap rather than reaching into their bassinet. (Although I was glad to have a change mat even when DH was changing her in the bassinet just for hygiene!)

Yes, you will need maternity pads.

I'd also suggest making the bag very organized with labelled zip loc bags or packing cubes because it makes it easier to ask someone else to get something out of your bag - essential when you are waiting for the anesthesia to wear off and handy when you are struggling to move around in the first few days. I'd actually suggest getting your stuff together but having your birth partner pack the bag so they know where everything is.

And it might have been helpful to have tape, blu tac or string so I could keep the call bell within reach. I ended up using a face mask to tie it to the bed because it kept getting knocked off and it was hard for me to pick up again.

Essentially just remember you won't be very mobile initially.

I was mobile within a couple of hours both times. In fact I was home 12hrs after dc1. They encourage you to get up asap as it makes all the difference to healing.

I didn't need anything special really. I did have trapped wind pain in my shoulder which is normal with a CS and can be alleviated with peppermint capsules in hot water but even those were provided by the hospital. Big knickers are a good shout. Nothing which sits on the incision.

And yes you'll need maternity pads in the same way as you would with a vaginal delivery. The bleeding is from the wound where your placenta was which is the same regardless of delivery. You'll bleed for up to 6 weeks.

I'm just going to add this because I read this before my c section and it was a life saver

Mens tight boxer short style pants. The Calvin Klein tight ones. They're high up so don't rub your scar and you can whack a pad on the inside as a sort of buffer for your scar.

Also being tight it helped me feel 'kept in place'. My whole body felt weird. It was nice to know everything was sticking in place down there.

I got disposable pants specifically for c sections in boots and they were a god send. You will also need pads- again, got mine in boots and they were good quality.

I also too an extra long charger for my phone as the sockets are up high and my charger so I could read when I wasn't able to sleep.

I also took a lip balm and hair bobbles, both of which I was glad to have.

Just to add its useful to have peppermint tea at home for the wind you get and paracetamol and ibroprufen.
I also found a shirt style night dress was much easier than pj bottoms that sit on your scar and a top you have to lift off.
Also a spare baby blanket to put between your tummy and seat belt on the way home makes you more comfortable

I would say to take a fan and cool loose clothing - I was unimaginably hot all night and took winter nighties as it was December. Nurse had to give me a hospital gown and waft me to cool me down

Also I found the medication they gave made me itch and this came on quite quickly after my csection - something or someone to scratch your back is good.

Yes to maternity pads :)

Definitely big comfy knickers and soft trousers. I lived in my maternity leggings and super soft stretchy yoga pants for weeks. Yes to the maternity pads. Also, take shoes that you can just slip on so you aren’t having to bend over to pull them on.

I’d also make sure you have paracetamol/ibuprofen in the house. Our hospital didn’t provide any painkillers for discharge so it was handy having it at home ready.