top 3 things which helped you after your C section!

[mechanicalpencil]

Hello,

What were 3 things which helped you recover from your C section please?

I'd like to put together a parcel of some things for my sister-in-law who is booked in for the end of the month for a C-section and was just wondering if there was anything that helped? whether teas/painkillers/creams etc etc. Anything small which might make things easier!!

Any other practical advice would be most welcome!

Many thanks.

Freezer full of home cooked meals in portions, plenty of fibre filled snacks

Painkillers and babysitting

The best thing was my mum staying for 10 days, but you can’t put that in a basket! She did my injections for me, cooked and minded DC1 which was amazing.

For your SIL:
Lansinoh in the purple tube if she’s planning to breastfeed (& multi mam compresses are great for fast healing of nipples if needed).
Flapjack and dried fruit snacks are good for preventing constipation, and maybe a big water bottle to help her keep hydrated. Straining is really bad for your pelvic floor post birth, and super scary with the stitches.

Offering to do her housework might be more welcome than anything else? Things like bending over to get washing out of the machine or unload the dishwasher were difficult to start with.

Big pants!

A super long IKEA shoe horn. It was great for pregnancy too, game changer to not to have to bend down to put on shoes. 😂

You sound lovely OP.

I recommend...
Big pants. Paracetamol and ibuprofen. Peppermint tea in case of trapped wind. Snacks, like cookies/flapjacks/dried fruit/big bars of chocolate or whatever she likes (important generally when breastfeeding to help increase milk supply but when you've had a C section you can't get up to get your own snacks).

Lots of chocolate.

Big pants. Cake. Laxatives.

As a gift perhaps some massage oil for her scar later down the line. Along with the pants and the cake.

Big, soft supportive pants.

A portable phone charger, a thermos, and comfy clothes. However, really she does need to be gently mobile the whole time to make a quick and good recovery.

My family organised a rota and came and helped me with my house work, brought us meals, helped with baby and baby and toddler with my second C section.
Massive incontinence pad pants meant I didn't have to worry about the bleeding. High waisted pants that didn't rub on my scar
Hot water bottle for the cramps and aches.
Lots of painkillers, my nan leant me her sock putting on device as ai couldn't bend
My favourite snacks went down well.
Someone got me a squishy log pillow filled with tiny balls which helped support things when I slept.

COOK vouchers to fill the freezer

Oh a really good reusable water bottle that's easy to carry around was vital, I drank so much when I was breastfeeding

Mint tea - the trapped wind was agony - I had a lot of pain in my chest because of it.

& a long phone wire saves twisting your body!

comfy clothes & big pants to go over scar rather than it irritating it.

Listen to your body, second time I did have an infection but pushed myself.

ive had two planned csection both very different experiences afterwards. First time was easy, I was able to go shopping and movements ok. Second time was tougher and I was in a lot more discomfort.

I love my SIL but I'd be a bit weirded out if she bought me laxatives (and also, I didn't need them at all after my ELCS)

Bit comfy cushion for when she is at home to sit on to help get up of the sofa

Think PPs have nailed the physical products but my best bit of advice is DO NOT stay in bed or sedentary for days on end. Being up, having a shower, getting dressed and gently moving around the house at least will be much better for recovery, both mentally and physically.

Peppermint tea, really helped with post op trapped air

Nice snacks eg nuts, posh chocolates

Large waterbottle/ thermos flask

small caddy that i could use to carry wipes/ nappies/ nipple cream etc easily from room to room

Lavender oil to massage scar/ although didnt use this until it was fully healed but was nice to have something that felt like a treat to remind me

Oh yes just seen long charger! Definitely this!!

1- A breastfeeding pillow. It’s a lifesaver.
2- snacks / prepared meals
3-a water bottle (the thirst is like nothing else you first start breastfeeding).

An assertive attitude, if you ring for help and no one comes, keep at it.
Water water and water. Constipation is really problematic post parturition, painful and can stop the uterus contracting.
Painkillers- keep on at them, but not codine based ones, as above for constipation.
Oh, and wet wipes, if you've been pumped full of fluids, the post party sweats will be extra bad.

I feel like some posters may not have actually read the OP!

Second the water bottle!

In a parcel I would put a thermos mug, some cake and chocolate, some big pants, maybe some posh pasta and sauce, some cosy socks.

Laxatives! Movicol or lactulose are great.

Peppermint tablets or tea - essential for wind pain

A long cable phone charger

Soft high waisted knickers