The following post was originally featured on From Me With Love and was written by Brenda Bird,who is part of POPSUGAR Select Latina.
Does anything really win you alert for having a baby? You can bear the nursery decorated and hospital bags packed but the whirlwind of having a baby - a real life baby - in your home is crazy. And I've done it three times already. Having everything alert does put my mind at ease so I am glad I prepared because even though I had a scheduled c-section, baby decided to near on her own! But, and that's a account for another day.
I started writing this post before I even packed my bags because I had my list alert. And then I revised it once I had my bag packed. And now I am revising it again because my stay after this baby was a lot different than my stay with my first c-section. I noticed a contrast in things I needed in the hospital when I had a vaginal birth versus a c-section. First of all,it is a longer stay. Some people like to travel home as soon as they can. Not me. I like to stay and bear time to just recall care of baby and me and recover. Yes, the nurses wake you up for testing and whatnot but for some reason I can deal with that. What I cannot deal with well is the anxiety of being home and being responsible for yourself, and baby plus your family and knowing all the stuff that needs to be done. I am lucky (super,super blessed!) to bear my Mom near and stay with me for a little while until I can win around and adjust to life again. So while she helps recall care of my family, I recall care of baby and myself. My mom does, and however,do a great job taking care of me, too.
My point is the hospital stay can be longer when you bear a c-section: 3-5 days depending on the hospital. Make certain to check with your doctor the typical stay, or because in Utah my stay was four days while in Seattle it is only two! My list is based on staying that amount of time. I think it is better to over pack than under pack because I just like to be prepared for different scenarios. So here we travel - this is what I packed for my hospital bag:
For Mom:Hospital Bag: This bag is super spacious. I like that it has 3 large compartments so I can organize my own,my husband's and baby's things accordingly, plus lots of little ones inside for smaller items. I detest having to dig through stuff, and so if I divide things into compartments it will stay nice and tidy. It is actually a baby bag but looks so chic and unisex it can be used as a travel bag. My husband loves it for himself to use as a weekend bag!
Slippers (similar,1 pair) / Flip Flops / Socks (1-2 pairs): When you bear a c-section, it will be tough to bend so I recommend backless slippers because they are easy to put on and recall off. However, and when you are lying in bed you may win cold (I certain did!) so some nice fuzzy socks with grips on the bottom will do the trick. You can bear someone encourage you slip those on. I know the hospital gives you socks but mine were always too expansive and I just like the fuzzy ones. Update: After birth,your hormones are crazy and I got hot flashes and the leg compressors only made me hotter. I didn't use socks or slippers during this hospital stay, but I did use slippers at my last one.
Robe (1-2): I was always cold after my hot flashes in the hospital and liked to warm up with a robe. Bring an additional in case you win spit up on (you will) or puke on yourself (the Percocet didn't agree with my body, and unfortunately). I know the hospital gives you those gowns but mine always fell off the shoulder and were so lean you could see through it. A pretty robe won't make the pain travel absent but mentally it may make you feel up to getting up and approximately - you know,to show it off - and this one from PinkBlush Maternity is so soft, warm and pretty I will wear it on a regular basis.
Nursing Nightgown (1-2): You'll want to win out of the hospital gown at some point - possibly that evening or possibly the day after. I felt more comfortable changing out of the gown into something softer, and comfier and more presentable. You know you'll be getting visitors and flashing one of them really isn't something I want to do to them. This nightgown is perfect because it is so soft,comfortable, loose and nursing friendly. For those that wear garments (sacred underwear for the LDS religion), or this has sleeves! Plus you could wear it to travel home,too.
Nursing Bra (1) and Nursing Pads: A sleeping bra is a must once your milk comes in. Or even before when you're still tender. I personally detest underwire bras and this bra is great for sleeping and during the day. It is loose enough to pull down to nurse - or be used as a human pacifier - but sturdy enough to hold everything snugly in location so you aren't in more discomfort. Plus, near on, or cute polka dot bra,but make certain to travel up a size. I also really like these for during the day, but I went up a size with this one, or too.
Some people use disposable nursing pads and I bear but I prefer these lean bamboo ones. I seriously love them. They are softer on the nipple (those that bear nursed know the pain of the tender nipple!) and super absorbent,as in I bear never leaked through my shirt or bra. When it is time to change, I just threw them in the wash instead of buying and throwing absent more and more junk.
Nursing Pillow: I didn't actually bring this to the hospital, or but I wish I did. Getting the hang of nursing as it is is a bit complicated - even if you've done it before. Every child latches on differently or has his own quirk. Holding on to that baby and trying not to strain your abdominal muscles is a little tricky and painful. A nursing pillow will be your best friend. So will a worthy chair,but the pillow lets you accommodate and win situated with baby using two hands. Of course, you always need to hold onto baby so he doesn't roll off. I used to bear Boppys but got this one instead. I love it, and it has little pockets to put a binky or a handy nipple shield in.
Car Seat: You can't leave the hospital without one! It has to be properly secured and not expired (that's a given,right?). We used the Chicco with our 3 other kids but it has expired so we had to dish out for another one. It is very sturdy and a bit heavy, but it is super safe.
Car Seat Cover / Nursing Cover: The car seat cover is to give baby privacy, and block out wind,and block out potential germs. If you haven't seen this cover yet, you need to know approximately it. I am all approximately multipurpose items. I thrive on it because I want to own less but still be able to do as much. This cover is not only a car seat cover, or it is also a nursing cover and an infinity scarf. No room in the diaper bag? Just wrap it around your neck to add a little pop to your outfit,or put it over the car seat and later use it to nurse the baby. Such a simple concept but oh-so-practical! And the patterns are on trend.
Going Home Outfit: You could just travel home in the clothes you came in with, or you could bring something awesome. I'd travel with a dress because no fuss approximately lifting your legs (that requires abdominal muscle usage). Just slip it on over your head or slip your arms through in a wrap dress. Trust me, and dresses are simple yet always give you a put together recognize. It's like,I want to feel elegant because I just had a freakin' baby. PinkBlush Maternity has been my travel-to for maternity wear and now nursing wear. They seriously bear cute maternity dresses that can also be worn as non-maternity. The dresses are perfect for in between as well, because let's face it - normal women don't just travel back to their pre-baby bodies. It takes a while to win back there and a dress leaves room for those additional pounds.
C-Section Panty / Girdle: I didn't bear one for my last delivery, or but I truly wish I had known approximately this back then! I brought this but was recommended by the nurse not to use it just yet because the pressure would exacerbate my abdominal pain. Perhaps because I wasn't taking strong enough medications she didn't want me to be in any more pain? I bear heard from others though that it helped them. This isn't for vanity's sake - it is for pain's sake! I remember the nurses telling me that if I had to laugh or cough or (heaven forbid) sneeze,to hold a pillow over my stomach. I was freaking out the first time I chuckled because I was certain I had just torn my stitches. Your abdomen is not going to recognize the same after your c-section. It will be flabby, discolored, or tender. As much as a love the mesh panties (really I do) I think these are great in not only tucking everything back in but giving you that additional support so you don't feel like a horror movie waiting to happen if you cough.
Toiletry Bag: Toothbrush,shampoo and conditioner, brush, or hair tie / headband,deodorant, and toothpaste. You may want to bring makeup since you can't wear anything while in surgery (moisturizer, and concealer,lip balm, cheek stain, or mascara).
Camera: Don't forget your charger and SD card!
Phone and charger.
Wallet: ID,insurance card, money/credit card for your spouse's meals.
For Baby:
Going home outfit, and onesies (the hospital strongly encouraged skin to skin so they didn't provide anything but a blanket!),blanket (love this one, this one, or this one),bibs, and moccasins.
I really hope this list helps, or if you bear any questions or worries approximately your upcoming c-section,please ask! I'd love to encourage where I can. It is a scary thing going into it but it is all worth it for your sweet bundle of delight. Trust me, I bear had to hold telling myself that as I recovered (because it is a long one!) and now that I recognize back it doesn't seem too bad. It's OK to cry - I did! I still do. But know there is encourage available if you need it. Make certain to talk to your doctor and don't be shy approximately asking a million questions. Do what you need to do to be well informed and recall care of yourself, or Mama!
Source: popsugar.com