What do I need to prepare for a c-sec?

sulsa78

What are some of the "must haves" for the before and the recovery period? I have a scheduled c-sec in a couple months and I have no idea how to prepare. My first delivery was vaginal...this is another ball game! Any advice will help!

Thank you ladies!

AntoniossMom

I would say the most important thing comfort wise is to have cotton underwear with the band being higher than your incision. The incisions are super low so you shouldn't have a problem finding comfy underwear. Also loose-waisted pj pants. Again for comfort. I delivered in September & found myself wearing sleeveless nightgowns with a light robe.

AntoniossMom

I also used my boppy pillow around my waist to feed him so that I wouldn't hold him too low and close to the incision. I've had a few surgeries & was prepared to be miserable but it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. The one thing that was brutal, I will not lie, was first thing in the morning waking up with a full bladder once the catheter is removed. Getting out of bed to pee is painful. I asked the nurses to wake me up so I never fell behind on my pain meds. Although you'll need your rest I'm sure you'd rather not be in agony.

mobraniff

Loose undies and pjs. But I think the big thing is to really know your limitations. You're going to want to start to let the first baby know that you will not be able to pick them up all the time so getting them used to mommy coming down to their level and not jumping on your lap etc. 

My recovery was not awful but some things hurt that I did not expect- sitting up from laying position, walking, pushing the grocery cart, and that first BM. Man oh man- you don't really realize how necessary those abdominal muscles are! 

msiskind

High cut underwear (I got Hanes briefs) and loose fitting pants are key. Also slippers or slip on shoes because it will be hard to bend over and put on your own shoes for a while. I came home from the hospital in my slippers for that reason.

Having people around the first few days to get things for you in important so you don't have to get out of bed too much.

slwprincess

I like pj sets with drawstring pants and button up tops.  Pick a light fabric- cotton or thin flannel- b/c the hot/cold flashes suck.  I also wear a nursing tank under the button up pj shirt- that way I can slip it on/off as needed.  No gowns... they get tangled in the sheets and there is no way to get out of bed w/o flashing the whole room.  I stick to the mesh panties they give you in the hospital but then definitely get some cotton granny panties for once you are at home.  Take your meds on time- don't worry about baby and BF.  Your supply will be affected if you are in pain so its best to take them right on schedule.  It's easier to prevent pain than to try to control it once its set in.  Keep taking motrin long after you stop the Rx meds.  It helps with inflammation.  Take colace a few days before you go in and keep taking it while you are in the hospital (I bring my own).  Bring your own pillow in a colored pillow case so you know its yours and not the hospitals.  Their pillows are sucky.  Bring a boppy for nursing.  Oh and if your hospital has a nursery, consider sending the baby there for a few hours at a time at night so you can get some sleep.  I know this is really hard for some folks but I swear... it will make your recovery easier!  

Oh and if you have 2+ levels in your house, set up a supply basket on each floor so you don't have to go up/down stairs all the time.  Fill it up with extra changing supplies, extra baby clothes, burp cloths, extra clothes for YOU, snacks, bottled water, motrin, nursing pads, blankets, notepad/pen for recording feedings/changings, etc. 

Disneygeek77

• Like PP have mentioned high waisted underwear
• Stool softeners and Tucks pads
• possibly suppositories and ky jelly ( stool softeners didn't work on me and the constipation was the worst part of the c/s)
• Disposable plates and utensils to cut down on dirty dishes
• bottled water so you can drink water on the couch without having to reach for a glass 

docco11

Colace, take it for at least 10 days after.  The first 4 BM's were worse than ANY of the CS pain i had.

Be prepared when sitting up from a laying down position.  I always bent my knees and wrapped my arm around them to "help" me up.

high wasted undies/robe/and loose clothing.  Nothing tight or semi tight.

If you get a binder, only get the one from the hosp.  I ordered a few others and wasted $$ as the hospital binder was the best.  Try to get 2.  I was very "loose" and it was amazing to have the binder on.

Slippers vs socks so you can just slip them on.

Take you pain meds.  Don't be afraid to do so.

I had a really easy recovery.  I am amazed at how good I felt.  I was up and walking within 6 hours and made sure I got up at least once an hour while I was awake.  I was walking the mall/target the day I was released.  Know your limitations!

BC&LM

AntoniossMom said:

I would say the most important thing comfort wise is to have cotton underwear with the band being higher than your incision. The incisions are super low so you shouldn't have a problem finding comfy underwear. Also loose-waisted pj pants. Again for comfort. I delivered in September & found myself wearing sleeveless nightgowns with a light robe.

This is all good advice, especially about the underwear. I lived in dresses and nightgowns for weeks because of how swollen my legs were and the incision pain. You will also need plenty of ibuprofen, pads just like a vaginal delivery, Colace, easy to put on shoes with extra room for swollen feet.

In terms of the hospital, I would bring a couple of extra pillows because hospital pillows suck, and you need lots of pillows to get comfortable. If you plan on breastfeeding, bring a pillow like a Boppy. Bring sandals for walking on hospital floors.

ETA: Move around as much as you can after even if you hurt. It sounds counterintuitive, but the more you walk around and attend to the baby, the easier it gets.