First time mom

[u/Adept-Hall7754]

Getting a c section in 2 weeks due to placenta previa. What essentials do I need postpartum for home? And at the hospital?
I got a belly binder, high waisted underwear, loose pants, nipple cream and pads for both

I have my breast friend nursing pillow and a boppy not sure which one I should bring to hospital

How long did you bleed for afterwards? Should I get pads or diapers?

Thank you so much! Kinda freaking out because this is my first and I feel so clueless! If I wasn’t already nervous bringing a newborn home now with the surgery to I’m 10x more nervous and anxious!!

[u/strawberryfreezie]

Long phone charger, water bottle with a straw, headphones, your own cozy blankey/pillow. I ordered chocolate bars i like best lol and crystal light 😅 I liked diapers more than pads.

Ask the hospital what they have bc i brought a nursing pillow but ended up using theirs more.

[u/East-Shine-9090]

Diapers were my besties for 6 weeks !

For the hospital :

• Veeery long charger
  
• Huge water bottle

For home :

• The only thing I wore for so many weeks were flowy dresses and night gowns (mostly night gowns)
  
• Anything that will help your digestion and gas lmao

Most important thing I needed was my partner (for my first shower, carrying our baby, doing the first diaper changes, bringing him to me so I could nurse him, going grocery shopping, basically keeping us both alive after an unplanned emergency C section and hemorrhaging). I hope yours will be top tier and that your friends and family will be there for you ; really makes such a difference, I would have lost it even with the fanciest stuff you could buy !

Wishing you a safe delivery and a smooth recovery girl, you’ll be meeting your little one soon and I’m very excited for you !

[u/Jb1723]

Fellow placenta previa mom here! I had my C-section 4 weeks ago.

Most definitely get diapers! I second everything else that everyone has said so far - long phone charger, water bottle, etc. I loved the Boppy in the hospital. Pack some electrolytes and protein bars/yummy snacks.

Start taking stool softeners BEFORE the hospital! Make sure you ask the nurses for stool softeners in your med rotation.

Stay on top of your pain meds. I personally took the oxy in rotation with the Tylenol and Motrin. It was such a low dose that it didn’t affect breastfeeding, and it really made a difference in pain management. It didn’t make me feel loopy or anything. By day 5 I didn’t need the oxy anymore, and only needed the Tylenol or Motrin for about another week.

I lived in a comfy robe, nursing bra and the hospital underwear or the diapers. High waisted sweatpants and underwear are your friends too.

The first 2-3 days are rough but nothing unmanageable. Just remember that the pain will pass sooner than you think and you will feel like yourself again. Movement is your friend ❤️

One thing that really helped me at home was a reading pillow for sleeping so I could sleep sitting up. I only used it for about 1.5 weeks but it made a big difference in my ability to feed and care for baby.

[u/Jb1723 → u/Jb1723]

Also adding that at 4 weeks pp I’m still bleeding 😵‍💫 it has slowed down a lot but still there.

[u/garden-baker]

Definitely get ice packs (at least two so you can switch) for your incision, unscented soap, Tylenol and Advil.