There are many different types of birth that you can now have and plan for, so what happens when it is the end of the 3rd trimester and your baby like mine has decided they don’t want to turn head down? I ended up having a planned C-Section ironically my son actually turned the day before we had it however I wanted it anyway as by then I’d stopped mentally preparing for a natural birth.
Maternity wards are kept warm as your baby doesn’t yet know how to regulate temperature, unfortunately for us mums that means we become a sweaty mess. I would highly recommend packing a hand held fan and to make sure you have battery’s with you or the charging lead.
The next thing I packed was my phone, tablet and chargers. Download films or a series as you can often be waiting especially on the day as sometimes they have to perform emergency C-Sections. Another thing I took with me was my switch to game with. Now this might seem silly, I’m sure you’re wondering why take so many electronics as you’ll be busy with the newborn. What you don’t know is the baby doesn’t know the difference between night and day and you’ll start to feel the same after a few days! I actually was in hospital for 5 days due to struggling to breastfeed with my baby as he had tongue tie. You are up at completely random hours meaning sometimes you need to watch something whilst feeding the baby to stay awake. I know I ended up watching Twilight back to back as I needed something that wasn’t stressful and would keep me as awake as I could be running on 3 hours sleep.
If you plan on breastfeeding after a C-Section sometimes it can delay milk coming in so I would recommend buying a pump and take it with you. I stupidly had assumed that breastfeeding wouldn’t be difficult and it would come easily however this wasn’t the case in my experience my milk didn’t come in straight away and I had to keep hand expressing colostrum into a syringe to give my baby until the hospital gave me a pump to borrow. In the beginning if you experience what I did you are pretty much hooked to a pump constantly to bring your milk in even if nothing produces for a while you still need to pump to tell your body to produce milk. You also need to pack colostrum bring some with you to put in the hospital fridge your midwife will explain how to hand express and how to label the syringe. You can always ask someone to deliver more if you have left some in your freezer.
Breast pads are another thing I wish I had packed, as you are learning to feed for the first time expect to get it wrong and expect to get wet and sometimes leak! Another item to pack is nipple cream which is really important if you choose to breastfeed. Every baby cries so I would also recommend headphones if you end up having to stay the night as well as your own pillow and blanket.
Clothes wise most of the people around me and myself were either in PJ sets button up to breast feed or in sweatpants and vest tops. You need to pack comfortable clothes it’s nice if it’s new however you are going to be covered in baby either formula or milk, blood or sweat so wear something that’s easy to get the stain out! Slippers are my next must have and flipflops to wear in the shower. You will struggle to walk after surgery however the sooner you can get up and start moving the better for your body, push yourself but don’t overdo it.
Snacks and drinks, now you can’t eat until after you’ve had the baby and I know most people struggle to eat after a C-Section however I was absolutely starving! I struggled with the hospital food and would often ask partner to grab us breakfast or dinner from Costa or the cafeteria. Most hospitals don’t feed your partner so it’s worth packing snacks for them too. I know after 9 months of not being able to have smoked salmon or my favourite cheeses when my mother dropped off a food bag I cried with happiness.
My next recommendation is to pack your favourite shower and toiletries (Don’t forget dark coloured towels) but use miniature versions of the products. As a Christmas present I had received mini toiletries as my son was due to be born in February. I was treated to what I would class as expensive hair and shower products as you will never love a shower more than after giving birth.
You need to pack maternity pads or really really big pads, this is the one thing I wouldn’t go light on. You are going to bleed and it’s going to be more than a heavy period. I had a lot of pain trying to bend down so I taught my partner how to do things like helping me shower, helping me get dressed and how to put a maternity pad or nappy on me.
Do not forget your maternity notes, I actually put my partner in charge of my notes and electronics as I knew I would forget something.
Hopefully this list below makes it easier to know what to pack for a C-Section:
For Mum: Hairbrush, Hairbands, Face care, Toiletries, Flannel, Dark coloured towels, Dressing gown, Slippers, Flipflops, Tablet, Phone and chargers, Maternity notes, Maternity pads(whole pack), Big knickers x3, surgery/pumping or nursing bras x3, Vest tops x4, Sweatpants or Leggings x3, Snacks and drinks, Pump, Breast pads, Nipple Shields and Nipple cream.
For Baby: Size 1 nappy pack,3x sleepsuits, Coat, Cardigan, Hat, Colostrum, Pre made Formula if you choose to formula feed, Baby Car Seat, Nappy cream, Blanket, Vitamin D Drops and if you choose to a dummy.
For Dad: Snacks, PJ’s if you choose to stay the night, Pillow, Chargers and electronics, toiletries and slippers.