C section prep

I would say if you are planning to pump or breastfeed, try to express some colostrum that you can bring to the hospital and store in their mini fridge (if they have one in the room, or else bring a cooler) just in case something unexpected happens and you aren’t able to feed immediately. I had an unplanned C-section and was so thankful I had brought colostrum just in case because I was way too out of it and exhausted to feed for around 12 hours. You probably won’t have an issue though since it’s scheduled and you won’t have to labor beforehand! Recovery is different for everyone but I didn’t find it as bad as others! Bring socks that aren’t too tight so you can easily take them on and off. If you prefer adult diapers rather than the hospital disposable underwear, bring a size that will fit you. I brought some and they ended up being too small. Bring slip on shoes AND shower shoes. I wore loose high waisted pjs while I was there. You’re also free to stay in a hospital gown.

Bring short and long sleeves, your temp may fluctuate a ton from hot to cold. A portable fan is also good. I had one and had to adjust it constantly because I was way too hot or cold for the first day (I stayed for 48hours). I’m not sure if it’s the norm, but along with the shakes, my whole upper body was SO tense throughout the procedure and afterward that it completely exhausted my muscles and I couldn’t talk correctly or hold my baby for more than a couple minutes in the operating room. I wish I had brought some sort of warm compresses or massager or something. That was honestly the worst part. My jaw was clenching so bad. If you decide you want an abdominal binder, make sure it’s a flexible one and that it fits the length of your abdomen so that it’s comfy when you’re standing and sitting. Later in your recovery, you can always get a more structured one when your incision is less sensitive.

My planned csections were much better than my emergency one. I only had shakes with the first one. I was itchy this last time, I don't remember if I was itchy after my second but probably. They gave me socks to wear after my last two, I can't remember the first. I was so hot in the hospital room so the suggestion of a fan is a good one. They did keep lowering the temp for me at least so I was able to get comfortable. They put me in a binder from the get go so that was nice to have. I'm not big on robes so I refuse to buy one only to use it for the couple days I'm in the hospital and then junk it but if you like robes and you plan to stay in the hospital gown then you may want to bring a robe. They gave me a second one I could throw over like a robe when I was doing my corridor laps. I brought some snacks I wanted, a DVD player I didn't end up using, and a book I didn't end up reading lol bring an outfit to go home in for the baby and something loose for yourself.

I also had a pillow I put across my lap under the belt on the drive home that helped a lot.

Good luck ❤️ definitely Pepper mint tea as trapped wind is painful if you end up getting that i had it in my shoulder and was so greatful someone advised me of this as was needed 🍵 you may not get though , your own pillow and chocolate haha 😆 🍫 and a water bottle with a straw so much easier and long lead phone charger , I know easier said than done but when able get up get walking even if slow still do it helped me so much you'll be fine at new mum stuff I didn't have clue and was so scared but soon as you have baby in your arms you'll know ❤️

Things I found most useful were baggy clothes, painkillers, hot water bottle for my back, litter picker for home so I didn’t have to bend down, octenisan wash (can buy on Amazon) is a wound wash for when your dressing comes off, medihoney also for your wound, make sure you speak to midwife about laculose too before you are discharged or you will have some trouble trying to do a number 2 when you get home! Lots of pillows at night to help keep you comfy xx

For me, bringing a boppy to the hospital was really helpful as well!

Bring chewing gum

Take food with you, I found hospital portions tiny. Accept all medication that is given to you,even if you are not in pain. Ask for hydrocodeine if you are breastfeeding, put alarm on your phone for medication and take it without a fail. I bounced back REALLY quickly because I was on top of the medication

Really loose baggy clothes like draw string PJs ect + Soft crop top bras no wire I ended up wearing my partners shirts, trackies, and even his underwear as it was waaaay bigger than mine and didn’t press on the wound. I was in for 5 days so I had family bringing me extra clothes and taking washing home. Bless them ❤️ I also brought a nice moisturiser so after the shower I could hydrate my skin and felt fresher for longer. I felt really yuck sitting in a bed all day but I literally couldn’t walk for the first 3 days so too bad for me! The itching after the morphine wears off was next level so get a calamine lotion for that too in case it keeps you awake or ask the hospital, they should have some. I also had lots of snacks as I got absolutely starving once my milk came in. The hospital provided all medications (there was loads!) Painkillers x 3 different types! Injections for blood thinning Antibiotics Steroids to heal the wound faster 3 x types of stool softeners/laxative

ake it easy! I did too much too soon and ended up in hospital for a week with a abscess behind my scar so get all the help you can and rest them first few days even if you feel fine- the washing and cleaning can wait ❤️ -Use sanitary towels over the scar -Use the hair dryer on your scar on cold setting after a shower so your scar stays nice and dry -take your pain relief- I did paracetamol and then my ibuprofen 2 hours later so I always had some relief -sleep propped upright- I found getting out of bed the hardest part -drink as much water as you can -no one tells you how going to the toilet after can take days- be prepared to ask doctors for a suppository to help you go- they really help so don’t suffer! -go on gentle walks as this will help take down the swelling!uu Enjoy it mama it goes so quickly 🩵🩵🩵

Thank you all so much, amazing advise! Going to re pack my hospital bag today following your suggestions! I can’t wait to meet my little one, but godddd im scared 🥹🥰

Also buy this, they are life changing! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Always-Discreet-Boutique-Pants-Medium/dp/B088KQ79P2/ref=asc_df_B088KQ79P2/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15241261425160582863&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007104&hvtargid=pla-2281435178778&psc=1&mcid=5970faf80ad236afacc16561355f562e&th=1&psc=1&hvocijid=15241261425160582863-B088KQ79P2-&hvexpln=74&gad_source=1

I found the pull up pads/pants a nightmare so preferred just sanitary pads as was easier to change too! Take the pain killers they offer I only had ibuprofen and paracetamol but took them for a week every 4 hours to keep something in my system even if I felt ok! Have your favourite snacks I loved a little snack in the middle of the night 🤭🤣 I also packed my changing bag with the first essentials that that was really handy for my first night in hospital as it was all to hand rather than rooting through the big bags it’s honestly not as bad as I imagined! But as you say everyone is different but your be absolutely fine good luck!

@Joana are these high waisted so hit above incision?

@Liz yes :)

@Laura interesting, I hated the pads as they would stay straight and would leak everywhere!

I’m now 6 days pp from an elective c section (due to a breech baby) I spent every minute of the leading days worrying about my recovery from the moment the doctors told me I needed one. I would spend pretty much all my time researching into different things and it all went out the window. The best advice I can give is if you can when you get the feeling back is to get up, even if you just walk to the toilet or to the cot of your baby it really helps, loose clothing works wonders too once you get back into your own things. I cried and cried and cried about the recovery really worrying myself and now I’ve had my daughter I keep telling myself I can do it- keep positive ALWAYS!💖don’t over do it, just take it so slow and steady- you may feel like you can do more than what you can do just remember to not push it and allow people to help you:) Your going to smash it mama🥰✨🤍good luck and get as much sleep as you possibly can now xxx

I am 2 weeks post elective section and things I’d recommend are: Peppermint capsules as trapped wind can be painful. Also eat high fibre foods and drink lots of water as the first poo is awful if you’re constipated! Very high waisted loose pants (some ppl recommend compression pants but in early days I found these so uncomfortable) I was grateful for my feeding pillow in the hospital as i always sat propped up because it was hard to get up from laying down Nightdress instead of PJs as it saves bending over to put trousers on. Lastly, a playlist on my phone which I had next to my head to focus on during the surgery. This really helped calm me. Recovery is painful - different for everyone but I wish someone had been more honest with me so that I was more prepared. Days 2-3 were the worst but it’s surprising how quickly you do get more mobile after that. Just keep on top of pain relief. Take it easy and good luck! Xx