When I went to the hospital to have my first little guy, I wasn't expecting to have a c-section. I also didn't expect to stay for nine days. Since we live very close to the hospital it's not a very big deal if I forget to bring something because my husband can always bring it to me from home. I would like to be better prepared this time, however. So here are my thoughts on what to pack in your hospital bag for a c-section. Let me know if I am missing something important!
Packing for a c-section really isn't that much different than for a vaginal birth, the main difference is you will be staying a little longer. Instead of the 24-48 hours you can expect to stay 2-4 days. I'm hoping for the minimum because I absolutely hate staying in the hospital, especially this time when I have to be away from little man. I've had my bag packed for a few weeks now and this is what I have in it:
(Electronics) Can you tell what must be most important to me since its the first item on the list! I don't know about you, but I would be lost if I didn't have my cell phone at least. I also need to have my camera with me, after all that's one of the reasons we bought it. I'm bringing my iPad as well because I'm sure there will be down time. Don't forget to bring chargers for everything, you wouldn't want the camera to die on you! I tried to bring a book last time, but there's no way I can concentrate that much on reading.
(Comfy Clothing) Last time I just wore the hospital gown the entire time, but I want to wear normal clothes as soon as possible this time! So I'm bringing 3-4 yoga/comfy pants, 3-4 nursing tank tops, a robe, nursing bras and sandals. I'm bringing my own underwear as well but I'm not sure if I will use it or not. I'll probably just wear the hospital gowns for pajamas but you could bring those too. They will have socks there for you to use and probably a robe as well if you don't want to bring your own.
(Toiletries) Shampoo/Toothbrush/Toothpaste/Hairbrush/Makeup/Deodorant/Perfume/Face Wash/Razor/Chapstick/Hair Ties...oh and lotion, last time those compression boots they make you wear made my legs really itchy. I'm bringing my own towel this time too. You don't have to because they have towels there, but they are really small. Make sure you have shower shoes to wear.
(Stuff For the Babies) I am bringing an outfit for them to wear home. I think I packed two for each since I couldn't make up my mind. Some hats I bought so they didn't have to wear the same ones and we can tell them apart easier. A couple receiving blankets to put over them in the car seats. Of course you will need to bring the car seats as well, you won't need them until the babies are going home. Bring some socks for them to wear home or something to cover their feet.
(Other Random Stuff You Might Want) Your own pillow with a case that isn't white on it so it doesn't get mixed up with theirs. I'm not bringing this though, I thought the hospital ones were fine. Nursing pillow. This one I am bringing with me. Last time I didn't have it and it probably would have helped, using regular pillows doesn't work that great. So I have a giant twin nursing pillow to use, I hope it works. Abdominal binder unless your hospital will be providing you with one. It will help with the pain and with holding everything together. An extra bag to bring stuff home in because you will probably go home with more things than you came with. The nurses gave us all the extra diapers and things like that because you are already paying for them once they are opened anyways.
So that's everything I'm bringing with me this time. I hope I remembered everything important. It's strange but I'm bringing more this second time than I did the first. Usually its the other way around. I have this thing where I hate over packing and try to bring the minimum amount of stuff when I go somewhere, which usually means I forget something important and run out of clothes. I'm getting better about that though!
If you missed my post on what I wish I knew before my c-section, you should check it out here. Also keep an eye out this week for little man's birth story. He will be turning one on Monday and I have yet to actually type it out. My c-section is only 10 days away, can't wait to meet my little boys!
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I wish I would have brought my own "pads" for the postpartum bleeding. I hated the ones they had ; they would just slide around everywhere! So next time ill be bringing my own jumbo pads with the sticky on the back :)
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I thought of that, but the ones they had last time to use worked ok for me. Mine were sticky on the back like normal, it's weird that yours weren't. That would be a good thing to add to the list though, some people probably would rather have their own.
DeleteThese are some great tips!! I really hope I have twins one day! I'd love for my next pregnancy to have twins! This may sound like a crazy question but in what way is pregnancy with twins different from pregnancy with one? I'm sure you probably feel more achy with two blessing in there! Much love!
ReplyDeleteAt first it wasn't much different having two instead of one in there. Just got bigger faster. It's only been in the last few weeks that it has been much harder than it was with my son. Way more uncomfortable and it's a lot harder to do anything. But, it will all be worth it! I hope you get your twins next time as well :)
DeleteI took a bottle of squash and the knickers I thought were huge where not huge enough and sat right on the incision....
ReplyDeleteOh yeah that would be something to keep in mind, making sure the underwear and pants don't sit right on the incision. It would be nice to be out of the hospital in two nights! Hope you are having a great weekend :)
Delete(Things are different in the UK, c sections are usually two nights whereas they try to get you home on the same day if everything's gone smoothly for a vaginal delivery...)
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