Preparing for the D-day when you will have your Caesarean delivery is not easy. However, with a little bit of planning, you can be well-prepared for the trip to the hospital and return home with a bundle of joy. We have prepared a handy checklist to help you plan and make arrangement on the items to bring for the most important day of your life! 1,2,3,4,5
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Things to do before checking in to the hospital
As moving around will be difficult for a few weeks after your C-section delivery, you will need to make extra preparations beforehand to make life easier for you post-delivery.
- Arrange for someone to help you out at home at least for the first two weeks after.
- Move things closer to your bed and sofa so you don't have to get up so much.
- Prep and freeze meals for the next few days so you don't have to cook.
- Purchase some cotton maternity bras and a breastfeeding pillow.
- Stock up on paracetamol, maternity pads and breast pads.
- Take a shower before going to the hospital.
- Don't eat or drink anything six to eight hours before your C-section - not even water.
- Get loose cotton pants that are high enough to cover your C-section wound.
- Shaving or waxing will make changing the wound dressing less uncomfortable.
- Grab a tube of Dermatix® Ultra, a silicone gel scar treatment, so you can begin treating your C-section scar once the stitches come off.
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Important items to pack for C-section mums
The following items are must-haves for your hospital stay as a C-section mum, because you will not only be recovering from delivery, but also a major operation.
- Backless slip-on slippers that are easy to put on, as bending down to put on footwear will be difficult.
- Nappy sacks to make it easy for you to dispose of used items without having to move around too much.
- A lightweight, dark coloured dressing gown to hide stains, as you will be bleeding and leaking for a few days after delivery.
- Bendy straws as it will be hard to sit up and drink with a fresh C-section wound.
- Fibre-rich snacks to help ease constipation, because you don't want to be pushing too hard before your wound closes properly.
- Baby wipes to help you stay fresh, because you may find it inconvenient to walk to the bathroom.
- Several pairs of high-waisted cotton undergarments, as regular ones may rub on your wound.
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What should be in the rest of your hospital bag
Don't forget to pack these other commonly-needed items,
because you'll need them too.
- Your phone and charger with a long charging cable.
- A camera if you want your birth partner to take photos or film the birth.
- Maternity pads, lots of them.
- Slightly oversized nursing bras, as your breasts will grow bigger when milk comes in.
- Lots of breast pads.
- Purified lanolin ointment for your nipples, in case they get sore from breastfeeding.
- A wrap or shawl in case you get chilly.
- Lip balm and moisturiser.
- A washbag containing towel, hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shower gel and shampoo.
- Eye masks and earplugs, if you're a light sleeper.
- A couple of loose-fitting, short-sleeved nightshirts.
- Comfortable, loose clothing to wear when you can get up and move about.
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What your baby will need
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You won't be leaving the maternity ward for quite a while after your
C-section, so make sure to pack for your newborn as well!
- Around five sleepsuits.
- 12 disposable nappies per day.
- Muslin squares to mop up milk.
- Pairs of socks or booties.
- A couple of hats - your baby will lose a lot of heat through his/her head.
- An outfit to go home in.
- A baby blanket in case it gets chilly when you leave.
- Scratch mittens to prevent your baby from accidentally scratching himself/herself.
- Disposable change mats to cut down bedding changes.
- A baby car seat, if you are heading home in a car.
Last but not least, once you're home with your newborn and your
C-section incision has healed, don't forget to treat your scar with Dermatix® Ultra, our clinically-proven silicone gel scar treatment!