I took with me lots of clothes, spare undies, pads, singlet tops, bras, bigger shirts for when my milk came in.
I also took my crystal to help healing. Cos believe me, when I made myself get up and walk to the nurses station with the wound, plus coughing my guts up from a cold PLUS having a hip that was popped out and rotated - I needed it!!
You can borrow my crystal if you want. I used it for when I had DS as well. And believe me, because I was only on panadol because they mixed up my pain relief - I needed it to walk back to my bed when I was in so much pain I couldn't move from the bathroom. I very seriously believe it helps with healing, so I'm more than happy to let you use it to help yours!!! ))
Granny undies that sit high so dont press on cs wound.
Surf board pads
Pjs with buttons for BF ease
slippers
socks with no elastic at top eg bed socks
hair ties with no metal on them
camera
phone numbers of friends and family
bubs
hats, booties, mittens
for bubs it varies hospital to hospital what is supplied.
where i was i took clothes, singlets, blankets. they supplied disposable nappies and wipes.
Loose waisted pants that come up high. The trackies and granny undies I packed weren't loose enough so did press on my belly. They came above the wound but were a bit tight so created pressure there which was uncomfotrable. As soon as I got home I wore my DH trackies. Don't worry about sizes by the biggest most comfy clothes/undies you can that stay up but are looseish.
I found the bonds bumps singlets were not good for me for the first few weeks while my boobs were settling as they did not offer enough support at the top. After a while they were good though.
button down pyjamas were good but make sure the boottoms were loose. I think Big W had some maternity ones which looked good in the catalogue. The nighties diddn't look too bad either.
Comfy slip on slippers/shoes are a must have.
I found after a few days I didn't need the huge maternity thin pads and could have jsut used normal pads. I ussed the maternity Libra thin pads about 2-3 packets. Have some normal pads at home for when you get home and know the specific brands of the pads you like and colours so someone can go buy them if needed and get them easily.
For bubs I really liked the all in one suits from best and less. They were cotton and self ribbed and were really nice but were cheap too.
Muslin wraps
It depends what your hospital provides though. I preferred to have Ds in his own clothes after the first day then we went to the Hilton where we had to provide everything for him.
Good luck and enjoy meeting your bub
ETA I just realised that you are having your baby on the day my Ds was born. Another cherub for march 31
My SIL found shortie pyjamas a bit too uncomfy, so chose to wear nighties to bed. She said they weren't a great fashion statement but they were the comfiest clothes she could wear.
I second the high undies bit - in the next size up. I had to send Mum to best and less to get a bigger size so that there was no 'cutting in'.
Skirts and nighties are a great idea.
I found with DS's c/s that the comfiest thing for me was the maternity underwear you can buy that goes up over your belly (BONDS brand)....were the best investment ever. Also I bought flanny pj's 2 sizes to big for me with a drawstring in them but also elastic. The pants were also long enough for me to pull up to my waist.
Yep.. big undies. Also I used a pad between the wound and the undies to help cushion it. I took some of my maternity clothes to hospital and wore them for a while when I got home too. Wearing jeans with an elastic waist was MUCH more comfortable against the wound than normal jeans. Some big comfy T-shirts for sleeping in and wearing during the day. Maternity bras and slip on shoes.
For bubs I love the one-suits too and take some wraps.
Hee hee hee, bug ugly undies will be your best friend!!
You have some great practical advice here, all great. On a more personal and comfy note, I took in my favorite tea cup. It was soooo nice to have a cup of tea from a nice cup while (attempting) to breastfeed.
Also, look into some digestive aids such as peppermint tea/water. I had heaps of trouble after my c/s with bloating and constipation - apparently a pretty common side effect from having your insides poked around with . I wasn't aware it was going to be a problem and by day 3 was in more agony from my out of form bowel than my c/s scar!! Finally the nurses came up with some peppermint water... I wish I had started with it from the beginning.
Ask your hospital what they supply. Mine supplied everything for bubs and pads, etc, for me, so I didn't need those.
I did take along a few of the night-time slim normal pads and I was very glad I did! Those bulky maternity things were awful and I didn't find them necessary.
Take along some of your maternity clothes, as these will fit afterwards and be comfortable. I didn't like lying around in my PJs/nighties all day, even when I was in bed, so they didn't get much use. Make sure you have things that can unbutton down the front to give easy access for bfing.
Your camera - 'cause you can take that into the surgery!
I'll echo the sentiments of high underwear absolutely. You really really do not want anything sitting on your wound. I actually found online a product called C-Panty which are high cut and have something in them to help with scar formation. You can't use them until after the wound has closed, but they're something I'm looking into for next time.
I'd say take your own pillow as wel JIC the hospital doesn't supply you with enough, because you really need to be comfortable afterwards & it helps when you sit up.
Oh & some really yummy smelling shower gel. It makes you feel so much better smelling nice after getting the yucky hospital / surgery smell off you.
For bub the hospital should give you a list of what you'll need, if anything
Hot water bottles! Some hospitals will say they can't give them to you, but take them anyway and get visitors to fill them for you. I took mine and when one of the midwives noticed it, she said 'oh good, you brought your own. We can't give them to you'. I was sooooooo glad I did because it can be really hard to find comfortable positions to lie in and you can get stiff and sore very easily.
Also, maybe TMI, but going to the toilet the first time can be a little difficult. Taking something to read can help relax you while you sit for a while
definetly the high knickers.. and some pads to put there for comfort for the first day or so if the hosp doesn't supply you with any.. they are also great for when you come home to stop your belly sweating.
and if possible a hair drier to dry your wound with.. otherwise you stand there gingerly patting it.. It isn't painful but you will be very wary of touching it..
baby wash as well for yourself.. its very gentle for your wound..
A book.. there will be times when you can't fall asleep and sometimes just starting to read a book will put you right off to sleep.. Make sure it isn't a good book
Definetly your own pillow.. also great for if you need to cough.. hold a pillow against your tummy
Horray for boob-high undies!!!! They will be your best friend... Take lots incase you need a few changes in the first days.
I used my own pads after the first day of using those GINORMOUS hospital ones. Much comfier.
I loved my nursing nightie but in the day I didnt want to be wearing a nightie all the time. I just wore my maternity pants and huge tshirts. My trousers were of the mile high variety also. One thing I will say is I found trying to breastfeed with a massive tshirt falling down and getting in the way was annoying so try to find big tops with at least a half button front.
I didnt even look at the books or mags I took. I was so busy with the baby, visitors, bloody hospital staff in the room every 2seconds that when I had a moment I just wanted to veg with the telly or close my eyes. I had a wheat pack but didnt really use that either.
I used my essential oils for comfort as I was pretty emotional (make that 'beside myself') on day 3/4/5. soft tissues if you cry a lot.
Slip on shoes but I only used them when I went outside. It was plenty warm enough inside to go without slippers. I had a bathroom adjoining my room too so I didnt use the robe I took either.
Take nice shampoo and shower gell. also face moisturiser as you will be in airconditioning constantly for days on end.
Phone charger and address book. Camera!
Enormous shopping bag for all the pressies. You will be surprised how many you get!
Coins for the snack machine. Yes you get offered tea/coffee a million times a day but you might like a soft drink or a lolly
I used our own baby clothes and nappies as the hospital baby gowns looked really uncomfortable. They provided bath stuff and bedding.
Plus I took some dried apricots and other dried fruit for no2s assistance.
Good hand cream and lip balm, and the air conditioning made my skin really dry.
A big help for me was a little notebook and pen to keep track of visitors/phonecall/gifts in order to thank people later. The combination of painkillers and tiredness meant there is no way that I could have kept track otherwise.
It's a nice touch to be specific when thanking people (eg. the little blue cardigan / red flowers) and makes them feel that their good wishes etc. are appreciated.
What to pack for a CS
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