C section hospital bag?

[curiousgeorgie]

I'm moving house 2 weeks before my c section, so starting to pack up now and want to make sure I don't pack anything I need for my hospital bag...

It will be June (and my previous DD was winter!) so no idea of the vest / hat / cardigan with sleepsuit rules?

Also, apart from loose pjs for myself, what else needs to be in my bag for me / baby / DH? I think i'll probably be in for 2 nights minimum?

If I can just pack this bag and put it to one side then I can just stop panicking about moving or give up and let my DH do it all

[redwellybluewelly]

I'm in the same boat (sans moving) and have this list... you might regret asking me though - here goes

My bag at admission
Maternity notes
Charged camera
Mobile phone charger
Antibac gel
Antibac wipes
Dark Towel x 1
Shampoo/shower gel/Deodorant
Toothbrush/Toothpaste/Mouthwash
Tea tree oil
Makeup
2 x Lypsol
Hairbrush
Water Wipes (trust me paper can be awkward)
Maternity Pads
Breastpads
Lanisoh cream
Indigestion tablets
Flip flops
1 x T-shirt or tops (in addition to what I wear in)
1 x bras (in addition to waht I wear in)
1 x Nightie (for straight after op)
Dressing gown
Light shawl as hard to get cardi on and off
3 x BIG knickers
Sports bottle (easy sip)
T-Shirt for him
Toothbrush for him
Pants & Socks for him

Baby Bits in my bag
Blanket
Cuddly
7 x muslins
3 x vests
3 x sleepsuits
Hat
Little Cardigan
Nappies
Baby Wipes (plus cotton pads)
Nappy Bags

Food in car
Fresh Orange
Squash
Grapes
Snacks
Crisps
Peppermint Tea
Bendy straws
Dried prunes or apricots

Backup Bag in Car
3 x vests
3 x sleepsuits
2 x packs of nappies
3 x packs Maternity Pads
1 x pack Breastpads
2 x T-shirt or tops for me
2 x bras
2 x vests
4 x PJ or soft trouser bottoms
10 x knickers
1 x black towel
Baby sling
Car park change
Gifts for/from new baby to DC#1
Car Seat

At Home
Shower sheet & dark blanket for sofa
Big pads for the bed

Told you you'd regret asking...

[curiousgeorgie]

I don't regret asking, your list is perfect, thanks!

[redwellybluewelly]

When I had DC#1 I bought a set of 3 bags in boots, they are made of clear plastic and are an absolute godsend - I pack toiletries in one, snacks in another and personal items like pads and tablets in a third, it means that I can direct DH to them and he can instantly find what I am looking for. I've also leant them out to several people and they've not been damaged in any way and so quite robust.

[redwellybluewelly]

Bump.

Add:
Hair bobbles
Face spritzer

[ButteryJam]

redwellybluewelly, thank you! That list really helped me! Mine is now amended and ready :)

[ButteryJam]

redwellybluewelly, May I ask what the tea tree oil is for?

[redwellybluewelly]

I think its meant to help healing, so a few drops in the bath (prob more for natural labour thinking about it) bit you've reminded me witchazel is meant to be very good on the maternity pads.

Cooling.

[NumTumDeDum]

May I recommend Peacocks massive granny pants £5 a pack. They will fit right over the scar and plenty of room for the maternity pads and scar dressing. Vaire ugly but vaire comfortable. I've had two sections and they were perfect for the first couple of weeks.

[redwellybluewelly]

Thanks numtum (hope thats not from the CS?!) I've been struggling to find where to get them from!

[blueberryupsidedown]

A book or girly magazine you might have to wait for quite a while before your c sec. I would put 2 towels, one very old one, for the first time you get out of bed after the op. (sorry tmi, but when I got up the first time after the op, lots of water/blood came out and no maternity sanitary towel would have absorbed the lot. It made a big embarrasing puddle on the floor. So second c section, I held a very old towel between my legs to prevent the puddle... the towel went straight in the bin).

[scarecrow22]

having just had my second cs (still in hospital with beautiful ds ) add
more pants (you might just throw some,out)
more strappy Ts (I'm v hot and sweating out cold turkey on cocodamol)
fennel tea and (if poss) peppermint water for wind etc.
if not on long list - all your chargers!
heaps of change for car park
earplugs and eye mask
very good luck x

[amandasegal]

the best tip i got was to buy granny underpants, big ones. after the scar hurt so much so you need panties that go up to your belly button.
good luck!

[LikeCandy]

As well as granny knickers, make sure PJ bottoms / trousers to wear home are high waisted or loose.
My preggo under bump trousers, and pre-preg PJs both have waistbands that sit right on the scar.
2.5weeks post EMCS and huge PJs and yoga pants are still the most comfortable things to wear!

Oh and pack as many snacks as you can, 3 meals a day (it was 7am,12,5pm where I was) will not feel like enough!

Good luck!

[Choccybaby]

You may well have a catheter in for at least first day and may find a nightie more comfortable than trying to thread the bag through pj bottoms

[redwellybluewelly]

I'm finding it a challenge to find PJs or yoga trousers which are loose, I know thats probably what I will wear for a good month or so afterwards!

LikeCandy I am fully intending on encouraging visitors to have stopped at M&S on the way in, no gifts as such - just FOOD!

My pg over bump trousers have a seam right where I think the scar will be so I suspect they won;t work that well

[redwellybluewelly]

Apparently mothercare for yoga pants and asda for big stretchy PJ bottoms.

Shopping this weekend, then bag packing next weekend!

[ButteryJam]

The plain black pj bottoms in primark are the most comfiest ones I've found. Cheap and cheerful.

[redwellybluewelly]

I agree with the primark ones as my two pairs (£2 each) hae lasted nearly three years! But for a CS scar? Not so sure unless I get a much much bigger size.