Help me pack my hospital bag for a sched c-sec

Hey ladies..I have a scheduled c-sec for next week, Feb 5 ..and I haven't packed a bag my issue is, that I'm not sure what to pack concerning my incision site...do I get yoga pants? Am I allowed to put anything over the incision site? I also don't want to freeze cause I'm always cold...Thanks for your help ladies...why am I such a procrastinator?? ahhh!

Re: Help me pack my hospital bag for a sched c-sec

Indira....OT but oh my god!!! Feb 5th....I can't believe your day is next week!

Re: Help me pack my hospital bag for a sched c-sec

It was suggested to me to bring...

Granny panties ( i got large ones but not to big that goes over the incision so it doesnt rub)
PADS- Even though we are csections im told we will bleed and i do believe the suggestion was always overnite was a good brand)
Yoga pants or loose fitting pants is what i packed i cant do the nite gown thing
Tolietries
slippers
camera


Im scheduled for the 12th so i look forward to reading your birth story ill have to go look in my bag and see what else i put in. Just dont pack anything you are attached to as it might get ruined with blood. I found this interesting cuz i thought with a csection what blood but i was told that there is still a mess.

Re: Help me pack my hospital bag for a sched c-sec

my date is exactly 1 month from yours! I asked a friend and she said try yoga pants and just cuff the top down as low as you need it....I know some ladies just stay in the hospital gown but I also know myself and I won't feel comfortable having guests and not being dressed.......Maybe try those low rise jersey material pants....or anyr oll over top pants...HTH!......
p.s..I am sure I will be the one who ends up LIVING in the hospital gown the entire time in the hosp. LOL

Re: Help me pack my hospital bag for a sched c-sec

From what my doctor tells me about where the incision is gonna be i dont think low rise would be soo comfortable. they go about an inch above the pubic bone. Thats just my thought

Re: Help me pack my hospital bag for a sched c-sec

Re: Help me pack my hospital bag for a sched c-sec

Okay I has a schedule c/s 13 months ago.

Bring grannie panties, my OB told me that for awhile you dont want your underware line to rub near the incision because it can help in the development of scar tissue (not to mention I would assume it would really hurt in the beginning) get the biggest ones you can find -- I got mine at BJs they were Unlisted by Kenneth Cole and they come to my belly button but they were comfy.

Get overnight/super long pads - You will bleed even with a c/s I did for 4 weeks after having DS.

yoga pants anythign lose and comfy and again not low falling. Your incision will be in yoru "hair line" most likely.

If you are BF, you might want to consider bringing your boppy.

If you are light sleeper, ear plugs or your ipod or something might be helpful, the first night I had a roommate and she was in some pain that night (her last night there) so I put my ipod on to help me get some sleep, plus there is constantly activity. The first night if you are still catheterized they will come in every few hours to check your temp and bp.

Slippers that you dont care about (its a hospital thats the only reason I Say that)

Toiletries to shower, most likely they will get you up about 24 hours after your c/s and you can shower.

Contacts, glasses etc - I was not allowed to wear contacts during surgery.

I also brought a magazine or two, so when I couldnt sleep I had something to occupy me.

Your cell phone, there is no reason to pay for the hospital room phone if you have your cell. & your charger as you will be there 3-4 days on avg.

I can't think of anyting else off the top of my head.

GL

Re: Help me pack my hospital bag for a sched c-sec

I have had 2 c-sections and here is my input.

Stay away from low rise. Stick with sweats or yoga pants that will sit higher than the incision. It will be covered with this tape stuff for the first few days. The pants should be easy enough to fold down as they will check your incision often.

I wore the disposable undies that they gave me at the hospital. The also came up over the incision.

I never used the pads I brought. You will bleed ALOT. They give you these industrial size pads. While they felt like a diaper they worked wonders. I took LOTS of them home with me

Stick with dark colors as you may bleed through.

My biggest advice for those of you having a c-section when they give you the OK to get up DO IT! The more you get up the better off you will be. I try to do laps in the hall way a few times a day and I had great recoveries both times.

Oh and the drugs they offer. Take them. You are going to have lots of pain in the beginning and rolling over in bed is near impossible in the first few days and will hurt for some time after. Other than that I had no issues doing the stairs and getting in and out of the car once we left the hospital.

Feel free to FM ANY questions. I know it can be scary and overwhelming

Re: Help me pack my hospital bag for a sched c-sec

Dont forget shower shoes!

Re: Help me pack my hospital bag for a sched c-sec

I am so glad I came into read this thread! I totally would have gotten low rise pants....THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! This is why I love this board!

Re: Help me pack my hospital bag for a sched c-sec

keep the granny undies at home. the hospital gives you undies that will be sufficient and you just throw them away when you're done each day. keep the pads at home too.

Re: Help me pack my hospital bag for a sched c-sec

i had my c section 4 weeks ago-

granny panties - in a couple of sizes bigger than your normal size - you will still have a belly.
the hospital never gave me any disposable undies, i got cheap hanes from target.

the pads - i bought the big giant ones and honestly didn't need them, by the 2nd day i would have beenfine with the ones i usually use during my period.

pants - i wore maternity sweats that went up over the incision - and fit over my belly. i also wore some larger, loose pj pants.

if you are breastfeeding bring nursing bras and tops you can unbutton or easily lift up.

slippers

flip flops for shower

you own pilllows!!

snacks for if you get hungry before breakfast - iwas starving the few days after the surgery

cell phone and charger

camera

Re: Help me pack my hospital bag for a sched c-sec

can you use a tampon instead of a pad?

Re: Help me pack my hospital bag for a sched c-sec

No tampons. I was told NOTHING inserted for 8 weeks (sorry DH) :0) Although I know people who didn't obey that rule.

Re: Help me pack my hospital bag for a sched c-sec

i hate pads! i dont even know what kind to buy! i always feel like you can see them through clothing!

Re: Help me pack my hospital bag for a sched c-sec

Sneak food!!!!!!!! I was starving the day of the csection and no one would let me eat!!!! My peppermint candies is what saved me...lol
Pack lots of candies, gummy bears whatever so you can get through if they don't give you food that day!
Make sure you have a nice robe type thing to wear over your hospital gown.
I also brought my own shampoo/conditioner and other toiletries. You are not gonna wanna put anything on that's tight! You WILL be hurting, so EXTRA LARGE sweatpants not yoga pants darling.
XOXOXO
BOTB

Re: Help me pack my hospital bag for a sched c-sec

I used the jumbo kind from the hospital . They gave me a whole box. Honestly, you'll feel like it's flowing down there, so the bigger the better.

Re: Help me pack my hospital bag for a sched c-sec

Thank you so much girls! On my way to old navy and target tomorrow to buy some big yoga and pajama pants..and the snacks..I wouldn't have even thought of that!! You girls are the best!

Re: Help me pack my hospital bag for a sched c-sec

Okay - I will tell you for ease I actually stayed in the gown for 1 or 2 nights - then changed into what I brought with me. Honestly changing in the very beginning is hard b.c of the pain and they are constantly checking your incision so I found that easier. I wore nightgowns and brought a robe. It really is a personal thing - but I found anything that rubbed or sat around my incision was uncomfortable for me so I preferred a gown to pants. But others prefer pants. If you go with pants make sure they are loose and not tight in the lower stomach area. Maybe like those full maternity pants that Old Navy sells that has the fold over waist.

If you are afraid of freezing why don't you pack a bathrobe or if you don't plan to BF a sweatshirt (or zip sweatshirt if you do plan to BF) that you can throw over whatever you happen to be wearing.

Also you still bleed a lot with a csection so I wouldn't bring anything good with you that you care about b.c it might get ruined. I wore the underwear that they gave me at the hospital so I wouldn't ruin mine (disposable) but if you plan to bring from home - bring one that cuts high so it won't rest on your incision.

Etd to add I noticed someone told you to bring food to eat - don't do it - the reason you can't eat is that if you do you can aspirate or you might end up vomiting during your section. They will give you ice chips if you get thirsty - but I wouldn't recommend eating - I ended up with an section after being in labor all night and day and when my section started I was SO nauseated I would have thrown up anything I ate had I not stuck with the ice chips.

Message edited 1/26/2009 5:30:54 PM.

Re: Help me pack my hospital bag for a sched c-sec

Posted by ruby

Indira....OT but oh my god!!! Feb 5th....I can't believe your day is next week!

Re: Help me pack my hospital bag for a sched c-sec