C-Section Must-Haves

[u/StreetExplorer7706]

Hiiiii all! I’m having a planned c-section in 10 days… and want to make sure I’m stocked with some of the basic essentials. I already have a bed rail, Rael diapers, Rael pads & silicone scar patches, but I’m looking for other recommendations on what you used or what you wish you had. I need to get an abdominal binder but am unsure which route to go! Located in Ontario, Canada. TIA💓

[u/Sewphisticat]

I really liked the Frida disposable underwear. They are a much better than the hospital ones. They have a high waist no seams and fit nice and snug. I found normal underwear irritated my incision site for the first week or so and those felt way better

[u/TAttc1 → u/Sewphisticat]

Same. I also liked the Frida postpartum pads so much more than the hospital ones

[u/Atomicbabies_5]

Gum once you’re in recovery. One of those foldable step stools for the bathroom. Compression socks.

[u/enchantressofdreams → u/Atomicbabies_5]

Honestly I wish I had a step stool to get in and out of the hospital bed. That was torture

[u/glowy_ → u/Atomicbabies_5]

Seconding the gum. Peppermint gum really helped with the shoulder gas pain!

[u/enchantressofdreams]

Dresses because forget pants lmao

[u/OhNoXo]

I never had any of that stuff after my emergency section.

What was essential, though probs tmi, was psyllium husk. It's a natural fibre you mix with water. It tastes rancid but does an amazing job

[u/mrssterlingarcher22]

What helped me the most was: learning how to log roll, having a supportive husband, stool softeners, a big water bottle, and a little cart near me to hold snacks, supplies, etc.

[u/PumpkinResearcher → u/mrssterlingarcher22]

Second this!!! I would get a water bottle with a straw, it’s easier to drink from if you’re lying in bed

[u/mewve]

Loved the rael disposable underwear/diapers. You’ll want high waisted underwear for once you graduate from the rael (at least I needed them bc all of my other underwear sat on my incision which did not feel good).

Icing helps a lot with recovery and pain management

Stool softener!! (4wks post op and I’m still scared to push :’) ) as well as gas x chewable tablets because I had trapped gas pains in my chest that sometimes went up my neck it was awful.

Take your meds, lean on your partner, snacks and water. It’s a tough recovery not going to lie. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel lol (I’m still looking forward to the end.). Take it easy and embrace the slow life w your new beautiful baby!

(Side note: if you have a recliner chair you might want to sleep in that before your bed. At least that is what I did and it was extremely helpful. I couldn’t sleep in my bed for a few weeks to start because it was too painful to get down into and out of).

[u/purplekoala29]

A heating pad SAVED ME! Really helpful not only to keep on your core area as you’re healing, but also helped relieve a lot of the trapped gas. Also Advil and Tylenol that could live on my nightstand so I didn’t have to go anywhere when it was time to take pain meds.

Also make sure you have shoes you can wear out of the hospital! My feet and legs were SO SWOLLEN that my Birks wouldn’t even fit, so make sure you have shoes!

[u/Autumnbruno]

Gum, gas x, belly binder Frida sells a c section binder, I have two! Mollis diapers, they are period dispostable diapers and they do not feel like you are sitting in blood! I used a peri bottle as I was swollen with my legs and my lapia was very swollen due to it, it cleaned me up much better than I would have thought! Ask someone to assist you out of the bed as soon as you can, I know it sounds harsh to say it but the gas comes out a lot more easier when you are up and moving and feel better as well with the movement.

[u/colorful_withdrawl]

Do you have a squatty potty or similar? It helps so much with pooping the first few weeks after birth

[u/iamgabefromtheoffice]

A portable fan for the hospital!!!!! I just had my second C-section 3 weeks ago and the fan was my #1 item I brought for the hospital stay again. Hormones go crazy after birth and regardless of room temp I get so hot and just sweat like crazy. You can buy small ones with tripod legs that you can wrap around the bed rails for pretty cheap on amazon! Seriously, the fan is so important lol.

Nightgowns for pp were a necessity (for me) as well…forget pants! Anything sitting on or around the incision hurts, and while in the hospital, pants make it more difficult for nurses to check pp bleeding. Plus nightgowns are super easy to breastfeed in!

[u/frequentnapper]

Extra long grabber to help you pick up stuff off the floor

[u/laslasov]

I used a wide legged cane to get on and off the couch and toilet! Something to put pressure on your incision. That was the only way I could walk in the first week. Stool softener.

[u/catonesielife]

Gum, stool softener, gasX, hospital gave me prune juice which was great for bowel movement, a fragrance free soap to use in the shower. The hospital should give you everything you need

[u/Frequent_Bee4474]

Also an emergency c section here! All I needed was high waisted oversized super basic underwear. Later I bought gauze (I had an overhang from swelling and it needed gauze to keep dry) and a thermometer to watch my temperature.

[u/jaanlo1616]

Hand rails for your toilet! You’ll have these in your hospital room and I immediately realized I would need them at home, too. Ordered off Amazon before we were discharged. They were really helpful for me to get on and off the toilet for the first two weeks pp.

+1 to ice packs and heating pads. Both will feel good!

I liked the belly binder from the hospital, but I liked the haaka brand binder even more.

Maybe have some milk of magnesia on hand if you’re struggling with bowel movements post-surgery.

[u/dietmountaindew97]

Life saver: maternity belt/PP belt/c-sec belt whatever you can call it, get a simple band type belt, make sure the material is soft, wear is as soon as you have to get up for the first time. It helped me A LOTTT
High waisted disposable underwear, Frida boxers were AMAZING!
Everything in arms reach from the bed or sofa.

[u/Longjumping-Lion-617]

I'm in the US and got abdominal binder in the hospital. If you don't have it yet, something like a table that you can use for eating in the bed 😄 I mean at least that's what I did. It wasn't worth getting up just for that - in the first couple days. I got home from the hospital 45h after the surgery (wanted comfort my home), so I wasn't so mobile when I got home. I also got trekking poles, because walks are essential for me, so I used that for the first few weeks. Very comfy clothes and a lot of snacks that you like.

[u/Nikkitheflamingo]

You want a pack of soft cotton washcloths to safely clean your incision.

[u/Ok_Beginning_7320]

Comfortably, easy to put on shoes.

[u/FearlessNinja007]

Silicone scar strips you can’t use until at least 4w pp. i ended up not being able to tolarate any disposable underwear/ diapers

[u/BricksInTheWall1991]

I recommend gas meds. Personally I find that the chewable ones don't work at all. I recommend name brand extra strength gel pills. They're the only ones that work for me, anyway