I started planning the birth of my baby the very day that I discovered I was pregnant. I had a very clear idea of how I wanted the birth to be. I had a whole notebook of checklists and notes, everything I thought I might need at the hospital was listed. I read articles online and thought I had a comprehensive list for packing for the hospital. If you run a google search and look for packing lists for labor you will get hundreds of hits so I searched, cross-referenced and thought I had the best packing list that I could possibly have.
When I was about 7 months pregnant I discovered that I would have to have a c-section. My plan was thrown in the trash, nothing would happen the way that I wanted it to. I started a new notebook, and began planning for a c-section birth. I searched all over for a list of what to pack for a c-section and found nothing. I made my own list, but had no experience and had no idea what to expect so my list didn't work out the way that I wanted it to. I decided to make a list of the things that I wish I had and things that I didn't need to bring so that other pregnant women can plan ahead when packing for their c-section birth.
- Several sets of pajamas, not nightgowns. They will be checking your stitches/staples several times a day and it is much easier to check if you are in a shirt and pants/shorts then if you are in a nightgowns. Make sure the pants are hip-hugger style or you are able to roll them, you won't want anything pressing on your belly for a while. Bring at least 3 or 4 sets and extra shirts. Most women stay in the hospital for 3 to 5 days after a c-section, your milk will come in by then and when that happens you will want the extra shirts.
- Twice as many pairs of underwear and bras then you will think you need. You will be bleeding and leaking milk so make sure you don't mind that they may get stained. The underwear they give you is AWFUL, you will want your own.
- A large flat sheet, preferably an older one, and a pillowcase. The sheets in the hospital are rough and you will only be able to sleep flat on your back because of the pain. I ended up with bed sores from the rough sheets. I wish I had one of my own sheets to lay down on the bed. I brought my own pillowcase and that makes a difference, the pillowcases are made from the same rough material as the sheets.
- Conditioner and lotion. Most hospitals provide bath linens, shampoo and body wash or soap, but they don't provide conditioner or lotion. Being there for almost a week means that you will need those things. I know at my hospital they also provided a toothbrush and toothpaste, but I know I was glad to have my own of those as well. I was also glad to have my make-up case. I know it seems silly, but I did my make-up every morning after my shower, it made me feel more human. Bring lip balm at the very least. The hospital air is very dry and it can get rather uncomfortable. I also brought a razor and shaving cream, but found it pretty much impossible to shave. I wasn't really able to bend over to get to my legs. I liked having it to shave my underarms though, especially since most of my pajamas have tank tops.
- This one is a "don't bother to bring" item, a water bottle. It was on pretty much every list that I read, but I didn't need it, they provided a HUGE plastic cup with a lid and straw when I was admitted. I have heard from others that they were also given a similar cup (mine held 32 ounces, that seems to be standard from what I've heard from others). I do have one little bit of advice about the cup though. I know they give you a straw, but DON'T USE IT. It will give you gas and that is terribly painful when you have a c-section. I was told that little tip after about 3 days, I wish I had known it before I went in.
- Bring something to do. The first few days you will be tired, but as the days go on you will get more energy and they don't let you do much as far as moving around :-). I had my thank you notes and my baby announcement envelopes to write and address (just make sure they put your IV line in your non-writing hand!), I also brought movies (my hospital room had a DVD player) and my Nintendo DS. I wish I had brought a book or a few magazines as well. There is only so much daytime TV that you can watch and the baby sleeps a lot :-)
- Then there are the standard items: Camera, socks (lots!), hair ties, hair brush, glasses or contacts and all supplies for those items, and any birth plan that you have (you can have a birth plan with a c-section!).
- They provide everything you need for the baby except for an outfit to go home in. Pick out something that you love in a tiny size, chances are it will be the only time that they will be able to wear it! Most newborn clothes will only fit up to 10 pounds and many babies are almost 10 pounds when they are born. I would also bring an outfit or two for pictures unless you are planning on getting professional pictures taken later. I know they took pictures at the hospital and they were adorable, I just wish I had another outfit for her to wear for them. Make sure you get some kind of pictures, if you don't you will wish you did!
