Hospital bags

Princess Calla · 11-09-2020 11:43pm

Hazelnut Button wrote: »

Just popping in to say I just had a baby today and I've been told nothing but water on the stitches as they can dissolve too quickly. So maybe be careful with the spray. Nurse recommended a squeeze bottle with water.

Congratulations.... Put the phone away and get some rest

exciting journey ahead xx

Rebel83 · 11-09-2020 11:49pm

I got a Peri squeeze bottle on Amazon for €10 - have Witch Hazel to add to it with water

Becks0603 · 12-09-2020 10:31am

Hazelnut Button wrote: »

Just popping in to say I just had a baby today and I've been told nothing but water on the stitches as they can dissolve too quickly. So maybe be careful with the spray. Nurse recommended a squeeze bottle with water.

Congratulations and thanks for the info..enjoy all the new baby cuddles!

cant26 · 30-09-2020 5:09am

Finally getting round to packing my bags and some great tips in this thread.
This is my third but it will be my first section. Can anyone tell me if you still need to pack two separate bags if you are having an elective section? Before I would have the small labour ward bag and then the bigger bag for after. Not sure if I still do this?
Do you still need the crazy pads if you have a section?

Cash_Q · 30-09-2020 7:56am

cant26 wrote:

Finally getting round to packing my bags and some great tips in this thread. This is my third but it will be my first section. Can anyone tell me if you still need to pack two separate bags if you are having an elective section? Before I would have the small labour ward bag and then the bigger bag for after. Not sure if I still do this? Do you still need the crazy pads if you have a section?

Hi, I had an elective section 2 weeks ago, when I arrived at the Coombe I was brought to the ward I returned to after delivery, so I had brought two bags and both were left there. The only thing I brought up to theatre was a ziplock bag with baby's first outfit but they didnt dress him as I was doing skin to skin in recovery, they put the nappy and hat on him I think. I was wearing a hospital gown, disposable underwear which they provided, and my own dressing gown which was removed in theatre. I found it handy to have two separate bags up in the ward anyway just to feel a bit more organised with what was where.

As for the pads, yes you'll still need them after a section, I used the big green pads for about 2 days then normal maternity pads for about 2 days and then normal sanitary towels, but I was never a heavy bleeder and it's been light since the start. No idea if that's because it was a section or not but the womb still needs to heal and contract anyway so you'll bleed for a few weeks, I have loads of unused maternity pads but better to have too many than not enough I thought.

cant26 · 30-09-2020 8:42am

Cash_Q wrote: »

Hi, I had an elective section 2 weeks ago, when I arrived at the Coombe I was brought to the ward I returned to after delivery, so I had brought two bags and both were left there. The only thing I brought up to theatre was a ziplock bag with baby's first outfit but they didnt dress him as I was doing skin to skin in recovery, they put the nappy and hat on him I think. I was wearing a hospital gown, disposable underwear which they provided, and my own dressing gown which was removed in theatre. I found it handy to have two separate bags up in the ward anyway just to feel a bit more organised with what was where.

As for the pads, yes you'll still need them after a section, I used the big green pads for about 2 days then normal maternity pads for about 2 days and then normal sanitary towels, but I was never a heavy bleeder and it's been light since the start. No idea if that's because it was a section or not but the womb still needs to heal and contract anyway so you'll bleed for a few weeks, I have loads of unused maternity pads but better to have too many than not enough I thought.

Thanks CashQ, think I will still do the two bags so. Easier to root around a less filled bag and even carrying them in to the hospital will be easier if the weight is distributed! I imagine I’ll have to go it alone without my husband:(
any other must haves or section tips would be most welcome! I’m a bag of nerves at the thought of the section even though I asked for it!

plasticheart · 30-09-2020 9:43am

cant26 wrote: »

Finally getting round to packing my bags and some great tips in this thread.
This is my third but it will be my first section. Can anyone tell me if you still need to pack two separate bags if you are having an elective section? Before I would have the small labour ward bag and then the bigger bag for after. Not sure if I still do this?
Do you still need the crazy pads if you have a section?

I had a section in Holles St last month. I brought one bag with me and had the first outfit for baby in a ziplock bag. My bag was locked away until it was time to go to theatre and I just brought the ziplock bag with me then.

I brought Boots maternity pads with me but didn't really need them after the first few days, ordinary sanitary towels were fine. The bleeding was very minimal.

Bring big granny knickers. Go up a couple of sizes as you'll be swollen and you want something to go up over your incision site. I'm still wearing the granny knickers as lower cut ones are still too uncomfortable!

If you're breastfeeding your milk might not come in for a few days with the section. Apparently eating oats can help. I had oat cookies and porridge with me and it seemed to help but who knows.

Bring mints/chewing gum/peppermint tea. The medication for the section really slows your digestive system down and peppermint can help Kickstart it so you avoid painful trapped wind.

lazygal · 30-09-2020 10:20am

I've had three sections in Holles Street.
Bring a small bag with a dressing gown, nightdress and slippers for waiting around. And a phone charger. And whatever else you think you'll use.

This bag went into my big bag which also had baby's first outfit on the top where my husband couldn't miss it. Babies got a nappy, hat and blanket in theatre after delivery so didn't need the babygro immediately.
I used night time sanitary pads from day 2 onwards.

Second the big granny pants and would also suggest nightdresses which open down the front for skin to skin and breastfeeding.

One tip I got was to push myself up off the bed with the opposite arm. I found this made things much easier.

Get someone to bring in loads of fruit especially pears and plums to get your bowels moving.

Cash_Q · 30-09-2020 10:39am

cant26 wrote:

Thanks CashQ, think I will still do the two bags so. Easier to root around a less filled bag and even carrying them in to the hospital will be easier if the weight is distributed! I imagine Iâ€™ll have to go it alone without my husband any other must haves or section tips would be most welcome! Iâ€™m a bag of nerves at the thought of the section even though I asked for it!

In the Coombe he was allowed to carry them to the door then security bagged and tagged them and a porter brought them to the ward once I was checked in, not sure how other hospitals are managing it.

Getting in and out of bed is so hard but I find lying on a silky sheet makes it a bit easier to move.

cant26 · 30-09-2020 1:34pm

plasticheart wrote: »

I had a section in Holles St last month. I brought one bag with me and had the first outfit for baby in a ziplock bag. My bag was locked away until it was time to go to theatre and I just brought the ziplock bag with me then.

I brought Boots maternity pads with me but didn't really need them after the first few days, ordinary sanitary towels were fine. The bleeding was very minimal.

Bring big granny knickers. Go up a couple of sizes as you'll be swollen and you want something to go up over your incision site. I'm still wearing the granny knickers as lower cut ones are still too uncomfortable!

If you're breastfeeding your milk might not come in for a few days with the section. Apparently eating oats can help. I had oat cookies and porridge with me and it seemed to help but who knows.

Bring mints/chewing gum/peppermint tea. The medication for the section really slows your digestive system down and peppermint can help Kickstart it so you avoid painful trapped wind.

Great tips, I have heard that a section might delay milk coming in so will try and prepare as best for that, thanks!

cant26 · 30-09-2020 1:37pm

lazygal wrote: »

I've had three sections in Holles Street.
Bring a small bag with a dressing gown, nightdress and slippers for waiting around. And a phone charger. And whatever else you think you'll use.

This bag went into my big bag which also had baby's first outfit on the top where my husband couldn't miss it. Babies got a nappy, hat and blanket in theatre after delivery so didn't need the babygro immediately.
I used night time sanitary pads from day 2 onwards.

Second the big granny pants and would also suggest nightdresses which open down the front for skin to skin and breastfeeding.

One tip I got was to push myself up off the bed with the opposite arm. I found this made things much easier.

Get someone to bring in loads of fruit especially pears and plums to get your bowels moving.

Have the massive knickers and button down nightdresses packed already! Found they were great after previous births. Will stock up on the fruit too. Thanks!

cant26 · 30-09-2020 1:41pm

Cash_Q wrote: »

In the Coombe he was allowed to carry them to the door then security bagged and tagged them and a porter brought them to the ward once I was checked in, not sure how other hospitals are managing it.

Getting in and out of bed is so hard but I find lying on a silky sheet makes it a bit easier to move.

I’m not sure what the story is in Galway at the moment. Have avoided the hospital this whole pregnancy bar a quick A&E trip so haven’t a clue on any of their procedures.
Hoping he will be able to be with me for a bit of the waiting time before hand but maybe not. My consultant has me booked in first thing in the morning so hopefully not too much waiting around.
I know I’ll be nervous. So excited at the same time! Strange feeling to know exactly when the baby will be born!

lazygal · 30-09-2020 2:11pm

I had no delay in milk coming in second and third time. It was like my body knew what to do. Feeding lying down was how I spent 90% of my time in hospital.

cant26 · 30-09-2020 2:47pm

lazygal wrote: »

I had no delay in milk coming in second and third time. It was like my body knew what to do. Feeding lying down was how I spent 90% of my time in hospital.

That’s great to hear.
I didn’t breastfeed my first but I did my second.
On both previous pregnancies I never had any breast leaking during pregnancy but I am definitely producing colostrum for the last two months so really hoping it’s a good sign and possibly happening because I fed my second?
Due to complications on my second I spent the best part of 10 days in hospital lying down feeding the little guy!
Hoping for a shorter less eventful hospital stay this time

Hospital bags

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