Just Had a C-Section

[China Doll]

Hi All,

My god-daughter has just had a C-Section and her son is two months premature, apparently doing well though but in an incubator and special care ward. I don't know any more than that but so far so good I guess.

I'm going up to visit tonight and although I am limited with shops I've been asked to take sanitary towels for her as she says she's bleeding a lot. Any other mothers who had C-Sections out there who could suggest anything else she might need? Or perhaps that baby might need?

As some of you who frequent this section will know, the force is not strong with my maternal side but I would like to make sure mum and baby have everything they need, (selfishly, it gives me peace of mind too).

Cheers
China

[mumof3angels]

Hi China-Congrats to the new parents and hope the little one is ok. I had 3 sections and I do remember that unlike a lot of mums that could wear pj's after giving birth I had to wear nightshirts due to a) the trousers rubbing on the wound and b) she's probably got a catheter so a nightie might be a good thing if she hasn't any. I also found that putting a pillow over the wound when she holds baby will protect her a little bit . I can't think of anything else she might need apart from the normal things- oh yes a huge bar of Galaxy LOL. :)xx

[redcrx]

awww china, i hope mum and bubs are ok and recover well.

I didnt have a c-sect but i was told i may need one so my good friend whos had 4 so far bought me some big knickers. The sort that go over your stomach, great big apple catchers.

She will need something like maternity pads rather than sanitary towels as the bleeding (lochia) lasts a good few weeks and is very very heavy at first. maternity pads are thick and bulky but very very good.

Get her some sanitary disposal bags too

[mrs_overall]

Hi china.
I've also had 3 caesarians and agree with the nightie idea.
My best ever pressie was one of those large V shaped pillows which helped me feel comfy in general and whilst feeding.
She will be allowed to shower but not have a bath, so how about some nice shower gel?
I don't know the baby's weight but if he is very small then regular newborn clothes will be too big, so you could buy some prem baby clothes.

[mrs_overall]

Also, Boots sell disposable paper knickers which I found a boon. Buy a size larger than her normal size.

[commonsense]

Hmmm well after I had my son, my mum bought me some books and magazines, chocolate and fruit. I also had juice next to my bed, I think she will just want peace and quiet to be honest. As for baby, I assume they would have packed everything they need! Hope this helps

[annie0000]

Food tends to be a bit crap and always cold and never when you need it, so some cereal bars and bits and pieces that she can tuck into in between trips to see the baby would be quite handy.If she is not allowed a mobile phone, maybe some change or a phone card - what about batteries and card for her camera - she may not have had time to stock up on those things and she wont want to miss anything. Some anti bac hand gel as well as hospitals don't tend to be the cleanest of places, but maybe I was just unlucky!

Congrats by the way - does the little chap have a name that you are willing to share?

[China Doll]

He does have a name, Kyro I think is how it's pronounced but not necessarily how it's spelt! She says she doesn't need anything but I think I'll take her some water and bits as I'm convinced she's eating crap.

Thanks for the heads up on maternity pads tho... Never heard of them! Will Boots sell them? Also, the disposable knickers, will they be ok if she's bleeding heavily?

[k8bailey]

Congrats to the new parents! Nice fresh food and drinks will be a good idea as hospital food in my experience is a bit rubbish!

Boots will sell maternity pads, they're much better than sanitary pad which apparently can hide signs of problems and generally aren't thick enough I think you need about 24 for the first couple of days and 48 for the first week!!

I didn't bother with disposable pants just big cheap cotton ones, as they're more comfortable!

you could also, as others have suggested, take some premature baby clothes, my baby was a perfect weight but even so the hats were huge on her, and they need their heads kept warm early on.

[jane1098]

Congratulations to your god-daughter & family :-)

So what does that make you now.....great god-mother??...bless x

Agreeing with all above china. You'll get everything you need from either Boots or Mother care.

Wishing the family all the best xx

[China Doll]

It makes me very stressed! ;0) (She's only a baby herself really hence the mother hen act).

Right...

Big Pants
Baby Hats
Lots of Maternity Pads
See what she's eating when I get there & resolve.

Cheers dears!

[natalie_1982]

Hi China, I'm glad mum and little one is doing well.

I didn't have a c-section but had to spend four days in hospital after the birth and had a catheter so would definitely suggest a cheap night shirt, and also I didn't get on with disposable pants (think rab C nesbitt string vest in knicker form) but just bought a couple of packs of big knickers a size too big from Primark. I think for less than �20 I got 15 paris of enormous pants and three nightshirts, all of which, I am pleased to say, have now been binned.

Also, my mum bought me a bag of goodies - individual bottles of juice / smoothies, snack bars, bunch of bananas, etc. I didn't eat in the hospital and would nibble on something like that if I fancied it.

Yes, maternity pads can be bought from Boots - on a really picky level I found Tesco to be the best (they at least had some shape and didn't make you feel like you had a pillow in your pants).

And maybe some flavoured waters because with the catheter they wouldn't allow me to go home until I could pee and I got pretty sick of drinking luke warm water all sodding day.

Sorry if there was a little too much info in all of that!

[PringlesQueen]

In addition to all of the excellent suggestions above, may I add one more?
Following my section I found it difficult to raise my arms above my head for a few days. My Mum was very good at spraying dry shampoo in my hair, until I had the strength to make it to the shower!

How about making some meals for your god daughter for when she gets home - I am sure she will not have the time nor inclination to go shopping.

[Bettyboo22]

congrats on the new baby when My mum had a c-section I took her the general hospital stuff ( grapes, book ect ) and a teddy for the babys incubator and a lot of hats for the baby because he was 9 weeks early (like me ) and they need to keep their heads warm.

[China Doll]

I'm not sure there's anyone quite that tolerent in this world.