"Labor" and "Post-Labor" Care Package Ideas...

[AKL_Megs]

My best friend is going to be induced on Sunday, and it is her first baby. (I'm super excited!!! )

I want to make a little "care package" for her labor and post-delivery... things I know I would have wanted that I didn't know enough/think to have, like chewing gum, hard candies, lip balm for during labor, and things like small bags of snack mix or trail mix, candy bar for post-labor, for her or anyone there.

But, there is a very real possibility that she will end up with a c-section instead. I myself had a "natural" delivery, and there wasn't really anything that I needed per se that the hospital didn't give me. Is there anything a new mom who just had a c-section would want as a comfort item (aside from narcotics ) that she might not think to bring?

Thanks!

 

[honeydiane1953]

Neosporin, headache med., hemorrhoid cream, ice packs, calming lotions. Nice smelling candles. I'm just keeping it real.

 

[happygirl]

Hair Ties
Pads, The ones they give you in the hospital are jokes
a good firm pillow!! Those are life savers
Warm socks, my feet always got so cold

 

[englishteacha]

A comfy sweater/sweatshirt that zips or buttons. I was always either too hot or too cold in the hospital (natural birth as well, but my friends who had c-sections always said the same thing!). I almost had my DH bring my Snuggie to the hospital! Our TV didn't work right in our room, and since we had to stay an extra night we didn't plan on, it would have been nice to have a movie or something we could watch on our laptop, or have a good book to read. I had a lot of trouble sleeping in the hospital and started going stir crazy.

 

[Southernmiss]

Hair Ties
Pads, The ones they give you in the hospital are jokes
a good firm pillow!! Those are life savers
Warm socks, my feet always got so cold

It's been 10 years since I had a baby, I remember being cold and always having cold feet.

With my first DS 18 years ago on the 15th, my labor was induced and long and I hadn't eaten in 24 hours.

DS was born after the cafeteria closed and I was starving! DH found me a sandwich in the vending machine and a cold can of Dr. Pepper. To this day, I still remember that Dr. P! So maybe a favorite snack or food item...especially, if there's something she gave up while she was pregnant (I had given up caffeine.)

 

[NYEmomma]

I never had a c/s so I'm not too familiar with it aside from what I've heard from other people... but what about a belly band? I've heard some hospital provide them for c/s moms & some don't, but every c/s mom I've known has LOVED having the extra support around their mid-section. I actually just bought one for myself even though I'm not planning on a c-section... this pregnancy has KILLED my back and pelvis so I'm thinking the support might feel good.

And since she'll be stuck in the hospital longer, how about a couple extra somethings to keep her occupied be it magazines, a puzzle book, a book you know she'd like, etc?

 

[AntePrincess]

Beer. Nice, iron-y beer. I liked a double chocolate stout. It was so nice to have one after nine months and I was so uncomfortable at that point. I argue that it's even somewhat healthy (the iron, the laxative effect) barring an anesthesia or other contraindication.

 

[hipporina]

I had a c-section in February, and I found that I seriously over packed for our hospital stay. The only real comfort items I used were warm socks, oversized granny panties (keeps the pressure off the incision site), and a belly band. As for entertainment, I didn't need any at all. I had a scheduled c-section (my baby was breech) so I was only there about 2 hrs before my baby was born. Once I had my baby, I didn't need anything else! I thought I would get bored, but I underestimated how much enjoyment I would get out of just holding my little guy!

 

[NYEmomma]

Beer. Nice, iron-y beer. I liked a double chocolate stout. It was so nice to have one after nine months and I was so uncomfortable at that point. I argue that it's even somewhat healthy (the iron, the laxative effect) barring an anesthesia or other contraindication.

I told my DH, all I want after delivery is a Yuengling and a nice, cold balogna sandwich with American cheese, mayo, lettuce & tomato. No lunchmeat has been KILLING me!

 

[aprilgail2]

I had a c-section in February, and I found that I seriously over packed for our hospital stay. The only real comfort items I used were warm socks, oversized granny panties (keeps the pressure off the incision site), and a belly band. As for entertainment, I didn't need any at all. I had a scheduled c-section (my baby was breech) so I was only there about 2 hrs before my baby was born. Once I had my baby, I didn't need anything else! I thought I would get bored, but I underestimated how much enjoyment I would get out of just holding my little guy!

LOL--I didn't pack ANYTHING for the hospital- I had planned on making a bag to take that weekend but Friday afternoon a month early my water broke! I had a c-section and all I asked for from home was underwear, a nightgown and socks, and once I was going home I had them bring jeans and a a shirt so I could get dressed. I really didn't need any entertainment--all I wanted was peace and quiet and to sleep but people kept coming to visit me! The only thing I had wished I had then was a laptop but since my computer was a desktop I was out of luck.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I didn't have a c-section either so can't help with that, but I brought nice pillow cases in pink and blue (we didn't know what we were having) and my own pillow. The blue pillowcase looks very nice in the pictures we took once I moved into the post partum room, and I liked having my own comfy pillow.

 

[Nette]

comfy jammies. As someone who has had 2 c-sections, I can tell you the best part was a long button up jammie top and LOOSE bottoms... didn't care if they matched, loose and easy access to breastfeed (assuming she is doing that) is awesome.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Food. I can tell you that the best things I ever got in the hospital was food. I was starving! You go through labor or c-section. Either way your body is under stress. Your adrenaline goes throught the roof. Then you are done and you have this miracle. Then the hospital gives you the smallest meals known to mankind. I asked my dh to bring me a big bag of snacks. Fruit, granola bars, a little candy, sandwich, a soda etc. Oh- and magazines. There is only so much tv I could stand. I read all the trash mags and caught up on my celebrity gossip!

I think it is really nice that you are doing this.

 

[AntePrincess]

I told my DH, all I want after delivery is a Yuengling and a nice, cold balogna sandwich with American cheese, mayo, lettuce & tomato. No lunchmeat has been KILLING me!

Oh, yeah, I forgot about the cold cuts! That and sushi!!

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

I would make sure you throw in a bottle of water.

The hospitals around here just give you tap water from the sink in the room, not the tastiest !

Also, throw in a travel Tylenol pack for dad. Poor DH had a splitting headache while I was in labor with DS#2 and they refused to give him anything since he wasn't a patient

 

[bettymae1121]

I had a natural birth (tried the V word, got stared out!) rather than a c-section but I honestly can't think of anything I needed at the hospital that I hadn't brought, if anything I over packed.

Once I was home i did prefer Depends to using pads though! I wish I'd used them at the hospital after the 1st 12 hours actually.

However, I would have loved to come home to a few frozen meals. Even though I cooked and froze meals ahead of time, I came to find out later that DH had been secretly eating a lot of them prior to me giving birth so I only had half the amount I had been counting on! So I would have loved to have had a few extra meals on hand.

 

[NYEmomma]

However, I would have loved to come home to a few frozen meals. Even though I cooked and froze meals ahead of time, I came to find out later that DH had been secretly eating a lot of them prior to me giving birth so I only had half the amount I had been counting on! So I would have loved to have had a few extra meals on hand.

Oooh, my DH would've been in so much trouble if I found half my freezer stash gone! For the past 2 months, I've been asking him to help me with our weekly meal plans and he ALWAYS suggests making meatball subs with the meatballs I have made down in the freezer. Every. Single. Time. I have to remind him, "nooo... those are so we don't have to cook after the babies arrive."

I didn't get near as much made and frozen as I had planned to either so I have to stretch what I do have out!

 

[aprilgail2]

Once I was home i did prefer Depends to using pads though! I wish I'd used them at the hospital after the 1st 12 hours actually.

However, I would have loved to come home to a few frozen meals. Even though I cooked and froze meals ahead of time, I came to find out later that DH had been secretly eating a lot of them prior to me giving birth so I only had half the amount I had been counting on! So I would have loved to have had a few extra meals on hand.

I had a c-section and had little/no need for any pads etc after i had my daughter-good thing since she was early and i hadnt stocked up on anything!

I also found myself with so much free time when we came home from the hospital that i was glad to have the distraction of cooking to give me something to do since the baby slept most of the day.

 

[mjkacmom]

Beer. Nice, iron-y beer. I liked a double chocolate stout. It was so nice to have one after nine months and I was so uncomfortable at that point. I argue that it's even somewhat healthy (the iron, the laxative effect) barring an anesthesia or other contraindication.

I had a nut brown ale after my births - waiting for me, all nice and cold, in a cooler. Babies went to the nursery, and I drank my beer, and ate my bagel that I had brought.

Honestly, most first time moms overpack. I'd stick with food - I never ate any hospital food when I was there Luckily, there was a Whole Foods a mile away, so I got some yummy meals!

 

[AKL_Megs]

Thanks, everyone!

I settled on not a whole heck of a lot of anything!

I will be bringing her a bottle of wine (Junebug!!!) and a corkscrew (she brought me a bottle after I delivered, but forgot the corkscrew )

I plan on having her sister sneak me in her house before they come home, and I will be setting out a tray of assorted breads and wraps, and a platter of lunch meats and cheeses, and potato salad and chips. Easy snack food for anyone who might come over, as well as mom and dad.