If you have had a c-section, please come in!

JenelleMiller · October 2009

I found out on Tuesday that I have to have a c-section. I am scheduled for Monday at 7 am. I have had my hospital bag packed for weeks, but it just hit me tonight that I may need some other items since I won't be having a vaginal deliver. For those of you that have had a c-section. . . was there anything that you brought that you really needed OR anything that you really wish you had brought with you?

frf1537 · October 2009

I actually was just lurking over here to ask a similar question, also wondering how long it was before you were up for seeing visitors after your scheduled c-section.

tanya8 · October 2009

If you plan on breastfeeding, bring your boppy. Also, whatever you wear in hospital or for going home should be VERY loose on the tummy area.

tanya8 · October 2009

frf1537:
I actually was just lurking over here to ask a similar question, also wondering how long it was before you were up for seeing visitors after your scheduled c-section.

I want to say I had visitors the next afternoon/evening...we actually knew a couple that was across the hall from us...they had a planned c-section, so we went and visited them a few times (it was good to have a reason to get up and walk!).

2-Step · October 2009

I didn't know I was having one, but I can't think of anything I needed that I didn't already have in my bag. The hospital will provide the essentials for your care so you really only need comfort items. As for how long before I wanted visitors, I saw family that night, but didn't want friends to come by until at least 24 hours later. I just needed to sleep and take a shower before I could visit.

jkipp82 · October 2009

Definitely loose fitting clothes (sweat pants or pj pants). I had visitors as soon as I was back in my room.

penguinem · October 2009

I found out a week before that I had to as well! I don't think there is anything that would have changed as far as the hospital bag goes, except that we didn't bring some of things we'd planned (labor ball, rolling pin, etc.). Definitely bring your breastfeeding pillow if you are planning on breastfeeding, as it helps protect the incision. Also, you might want more gowns than pants. I wore the hospital gown for a couple of days, but then switched to a cotton sundress when I was up and about more. You may not need to wear the hospital underwear the whole time as some do with a vaginal birth, so bring comfy undies and your own pads; the ones they have there are huge! Hope that helps.

In regards to visitors, I had family waiting there when I got out, but I threw up (motion sickness from the bed "ride" up to the baby mom floor) so they went home. I was fine for visitors the next day. Overall, the C-section was better than I thought it would be; I was planning a natural birth and was disappointed, but it was still an amazing experience.

Good luck ladies!

BeanieWeanie · October 2009

2-Step:
I didn't know I was having one, but I can't think of anything I needed that I didn't already have in my bag... The hospital will provide the essentials for your care so you really only need comfort items. As for how long before I wanted visitors, I saw family that night, but didn't want friends to come by until at least 24 hours later. I just needed to sleep and take a shower before I could visit.

This exactly. Loose fitting clothes were essential (I wore a skirt with a waistband higher than my incision), but mothing special other than that. Also, I felt so gross after (though admittedly, I had been in labour for 14 hours prior to my c-section) - it would've been horrible to have had visitors before I could shower and put my face on!

suscq · October 2009

You will probably be in the hospital a day longer--so think about it like that. What can you not go 2-3 days without?? (lotion, shampoo) Loose clothes were the big thing for me. I had visitors within 5 or 6 hours after getting out of the recovery room.

vegasgirl07 · October 2009

sandals for the shower, i made my DH go home and get them!

jasperbride · October 2009

Take a dress to wear home. I still wore the mesh undies in hospital. They are loose on the incision. You will want loose underwear of your own to have room for the swelling, and the pad. I wore the hospital gown the whole time- getting dressed in clothes is too much work post-op while you are sore getting up out of bed to care for a newborn. It is way easier when you finally get home

I would definitely recommend a nursing pillow too.

LVila · October 2009

I kept getting hot and cold from the morphine, so I was glad I brought shorts to wear. I could just cover up if needed.

As far as visitors, she was born at 9:34p and we let our family come in about midnight (hospital said sure as long as we were fine with it). They only stayed 20 minutes... just long enough to meet the baby. I'd been in the hospital two days and they had all been waiting!

rosesandpeonies · October 2009

There is nothing really that I can think of but I was happy to have stuff for a shower when I was able to take one.

FlaCourtney · October 2009

I had a different experience -- I had planned on a vaginal delivery but had an emergency C-section. So I had packed all this stuff, preparing for hours of labor (my ipod, magazines, massager) and I didn't use any of it.

The best thing I brought was a light robe. The nurses will make you walk and you'll want to be covered up but you won't want to put on anything with a waistband. OH, and I wore an empire waist dress home. Also, buy some granny panties in advance because you won't want anything low-rise near your scar.

As far as having visitors, I felt pretty great and had people the next day. My c-section was at 5 p.m. on a Friday and I went home Monday. I was walking pretty well by then.

dennice79 · October 2009

Ok I have something you don't bring but I found really helpful and would not have known about it if my friend did not tell me. Some doctors automatically order abdominal binders and some don't so ask for one! They hold you together and it somehow does not hurt as bad to move about.

FlaCourtney · October 2009

I don't know anything about the ab binders, but I heard a tip later that would have been really useful. Press a pillow on your incision when you sit or stand up, cough or laugh. It supposedly helps.

LEEMC · October 2009

make sure you have a pillow for the ride home...hitting potholes hurts the incision especially as your stomach will still be a little wobbly! Have granny style undies for when you go home as they dont rub into your incision

Amber&Jesse · October 2009

Mine was scheduled, DS was born at 2:29pm and our immediate family was waiting and they came in around 4:30ish. I felt fine. It will really depend on how you feel. I also said no to extended fam and friends that night.

Try not to be dehydrated when you go in! I was super dehydrated and got poked a bunch of times. The OR was waiting for me.

TWO tips I can give is: 1. Use the nursery, especially the first two days because it's hard to get up and try to take care of DC. You'll want to do it but it's alot of work and a little painful. 2. Stay on top of your meds. I told the nurses I want the meds every 4 hours on the dot! This is not the time to be superman and not take them. REMEMBER you just had surgery.

I also asked for scrub pants from the hospital, pants made me feel more normal and I could tie them up high. Bring the big undies. I got "briefs" they are huge but they don't get close to the incision. (Even the high cut wasn't high enough!)

GL girls!

vnceradini@gmail.com · October 2009

Definitely bring a bunch of those mesh undies home with you.I just kept asking different people for them in the hospital and stashing them in my bag.That was a good thing b/c my normal undies were so uncomfortable. Also ask for an abdominal binder ! Everyone here is saying to wear loose clothing which you will need but the binder holds everything together after surgery and gives great support. I wore mine all the time and took it home to wear for a few weeks. It really helped a lot so make sure you ask for one in the hospital.You should have everything else you need in you bag already. And make sure you take your meds or you'll be sorry..I was when I missed one dose. You really feel it if you don't take them the first few days after surgery.After 6 days I didn't need them anymore at all, however everyone has different pain tolerances.

JenelleMiller · October 2009

Thanks for the tips and advice everyone!!!

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If you have had a c-section, please come in!

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