What to Pack for a C-Section

The countdown for Baby #2 is on and I recently packed my hospital bag.  Although I'm scheduled for a c-section, there are still some essentials I want to pack.  I've learned a lot from the last time so I thought I'd pass along my must have hospital items for a c-section.  I can't speak for those who have natural births because their needs and experience are very different but perhaps there is some overlap.  Those of you who've given birth naturally will have to let me know.  

Two weeks before your c-section, if you're anything like me, your nesting instinct will be in full effect and you'll be looking to pack for the hospital.  I spent five days in the hospital last time and I expect something similar this time.  

Sorry if the picture is small, had to post from my phone!

**Warning - some of these items are described in graphic nature so if you're a guy, haven't given birth before, or know me in a way in which you don't need or want to read about my underwear recommendation, then some of this post may make you uncomfortable to say the least.  Join me for the next post why don'tchya?  Consider yourself warned, proceed with caution**

Here is my packing list:

1. {Going home outfit for baby} I pack two onesie pajamas - one in size newborn and one in size 0-3 months.  I have big babies so I'm never sure if the newborn size will fit.  
2. {Swaddling blanket for baby} I pack a small swaddling blanket for the baby in order to swaddle her in the hospital but also for the car ride home to keep her warm.  The hospital where I'm giving birth provides the cutest little pom pom knit hats so I don't bring one of those, but if your hospital doesn't have cute hats you may want to consider bringing your own.  
3. {Going home outfit for me} A loose, cotton dress is ideal after a c-section.  You will not be able to tolerate anything touching your incision for quite a while.  Why add more pain to what already is an extremely painful surgery? Throw on some flip flops and you're on your way home.  (I pack flip flops I can wear in the shower also.  Although I can't usually get up to shower until day three.)
4. {Binder} I got a belly binder when I left the hospital the last time, and although it is somewhat painful and uncomfortable to wear, it does help support you.  Think of it as a girdle-type contraption that sucks you in and keeps everything in place.  The times I didn't wear it I found to be more painful than when I did.  For example, I didn't wear it on the ride home from the hospital and every bump and crack caused me to feel a lot of pain.  I wound up holding my belly all the way home.  
5. {Pads or Depends}  There I said it.  Super awkward and uncomfortable to admit and talk about, but it's true.  Despite not giving natural birth, there is still plenty of bleeding that happens after having a c-section.  The hospital I'm going to provides a limited supply of these and then it is up to you.  Luckily, I had plenty the last time I gave birth, but you will need them when you get home.  For a few weeks.  
6. {Cheap underwear}  I suggest getting loose, cotton underwear.  You will not want anything touching your incision for quite a while.  And considering all the post-partum bleeding that happens, you don't want to ruin your good stuff.  I actually buy men's boxer-briefs.  Comfy and loose, for some reason I feel less embarrassed buying those than granny panties.  Remember that episode of SITC when Carrie wears them? Just tell yourself you look cute like her in them.
7.  {Make-up} Only bring the essentials.  I didn't even shower until day three - and god was it glorious to feel clean and fresh - but I did not have the energy to do more than a little bit.  I was not bronzing, highlighting or contouring - no energy for that.  And if you can be sleeping instead of make-up-ing, why not do the former?
8. {Sleep Mask} For me this is essential.  I normally have a hard time sleeping in anything but complete darkness (at the first sign of dawn without a sleep mask I'm up).  You don't get much sleep in the hospital believe it or not, so the sleep mask helps as you're often sleeping at odd times -including the middle of the day.  Nurses come in to check on you every hour or so, taking your temperature, giving you pills, changing your water, and other things...  Then, nurses come in every two hours with the baby so you can nurse her.  It's kind of exhausting really, and something I didn't expect the first time around.  I figured the week stay in the hospital would be the last good sleep I'd get before baby #1.  Not true.  
9. {Your Pillow}  Nothing is better than the smell and softness of your own pillow.  
10. {Boppy}  A lifesaver.  Hard to get the placement of it right while nursing because of the incision, but definitely necessary to prop the baby up.  I also used it as a pillow when I wasn't nursing.  
11. {Nursing bra}  Although I wore my hospital gown the whole five days I was there, it would've been nice when people came to visit if I had a nursing-friendly bra around.  Lesson learned from last time, that bad boy is definitely coming with me. 
12. {Phone and charger} Gotta be able to call everyone and tell them the good news! And take pics of course. 
13. {Book or magazine}  HA.  I thought I'd have time to read last time.  Nope.  And even when I did all I wanted to do was sleep.  Or see my baby.  Or talk to my husband.  Or eat.  
14. {Snacks}  Because it is hospital food after all...   

You can also check out this list from Baby Center if you need more ideas.  

So for all those mamas-to-be out there I hope this helps and I hope all goes well.  

In a few short hours we will have met our second baby!  I'll keep you posted!!! 💗💗💗

WWIII: The Battle Royale

World War III has just swept through my home.  New moms and moms who can remember what it's like to raise a newborn can appreciate this.

My three month-old started the day with a full nights sleep, something I was sure would promise smooth sailing.  The sun was shining, the baby was cooing in her crib, it couldn't have been more perfect.  I should've known then that it was too good to be true.

After feeding her I was able to put her down for a morning nap that lasted longer than I expected.  Awesome!  Time to make some breakfast, clean up the house a bit and brush my teeth!

As she stirred I watched the beautiful little girl who looks so much like me as a baby on the monitor.  Could life get any better?  As with all wartime attacks, you must take your opponent by surprise in order to gain the upper hand.  In my case, surprise attack was an understatement.

As I lifted my gurgling cherub out of her crib I felt her iron fist latch onto my necklace like grim death, then my hair.  I managed to dislodge my valuables from her grasp only to have her express her disdain with sharp cries.  She's hungry.  Just a quick diaper change, throw on a onesie and downstairs to eat we go.  

I have learned to deal better with a screaming baby, but on this tranquil morning her piercing scream was almost too much to bear.

Feeding her proved to be another battle.  The war had officially commenced.

I offered one side, she refused, screaming in protest.  I offered the other side, more shrieking.  Helpless and hopeless I ran to the fridge to grab the 2 ounce bottle I had managed to pump after my breakfast that morning.  I warm it up as she screeches and writhes in my arms.  Hurry up, hurry up, why didn't I just leave the bottle out in case this happened?!  Don't drop the baby, she's wiggling so much!  Can't she see I'm getting it ready?!  Please just stop screaming!!  What will the neighbors think??  HURRY!!!

She eats furiously as the bottle quickly drains, my patience depleting.  What's gonna happen when the bottle is empty?  I don't have anything for her and if I did, she'd refuse it like she did earlier...

As expected, she pitched a fit when the bottle was through.  I carried her through the house trying to keep my cool.  Murmuring "It's ok" into her ear clearly wasn't dissipating her anger at having had her bottle taken away.  My opponent was gaining more ground, and I succumbed to fatigue.

We walk outside into the gorgeous sunshine and she gets distracted by the cars and people going by.  There's hope yet, maybe the war is over after all.  She pukes all over my arm and the sidewalk.  I've gotten so used to this I continue to hang outside for another 10 minutes.  (The old me would never recognize this unshowered, make-up-less, sweatpant-wearing, puke-covered woman.)

Little did I know she had a sneak attack planned.  She appeared happy, almost calm as we went back into the house.  I even brought her into the kitchen while I made lunch for myself and she cooed in her holding cell, the empty baby tub.

**WARNING:  I am going to be candid here, do not read if you are queasy or about to eat!**

It was then she decided to drop the bomb, figuratively and literally.  I heard it happen with force and fury.  Before I could even triage the situation her feet were in it, her legs, my hands - which were now holding her legs trying to avoid the fallout.  No luck, we were in the thick of it now.

She squirmed and wriggled as she coyly smiled up at me with those big blue eyes.  All I could do was laugh.  Clearly my opponent had outwitted me again. Well at least she's already in the tub.  But now what????

I peel the clothes off her as I hear the pot on the stove overflow.  My lunch!  So much for that.  I shut off the burner and go back to the battlefield.  I've never seen so many casualties in my life, the outfit, the diaper, the bib, e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.

Can't leave the baby on the counter to get the wipes, diapers or outfit which lie peacefully in the other room.  Can't take the baby to get these things.  Paper towels became the wipes, kitchen towels the bath towels.  Being home alone with a baby is not an easy task, especially during war.

I filled up the tub and scrubbed my heart out.  Thanks to Johnson and Johnson, five minutes later she smelled baby fresh.  I wrapped her in kitchen towels and brought her upstairs to change. I had relinquished my forces, it was time to surrender.

I choose a blue onesie and a new bib.  She wears it proudly, the victory of triumph emanating from her pores.  She smiles and coos as I pick her up.  A burp.  She's just spit up on the bib.  My husband can't get home soon enough!  World War IV is on it's way, I can feel it.

Luckily, I have some time to regroup before her forces are sent across enemy lines.   I see her eyes begin to close and she goes down for a nap!

I think about the trying years ahead and how many more times something similar to this morning is bound to happen.  Unfortunately, I'm sure this won't be the last time my opponent comes for me.  All I can do is keep pressing on...

Surviving this war will take everything I've got, and that my friends, is worth a glass of champagne!