The Items That Should Be In Your C-Section Hospital Bag

In natural birth, an expectant mother’s water breaking is only the start of the “festivities.” There’s no telling whether the baby will be welcomed into the world very soon after the water breaks or even a day or two later — every mom and baby duo is different.

When preparing a hospital bag for an expectant mother going through the natural birth process, you need to take into account the length of time she will be there before her little angel debuts; she may have time to read or catch up on her favorite streaming shows before the final pushes get underway.

Since a natural birth can occur quite spontaneously, unless you have a pre-packed hospital bag, you or someone close to you may need to throw everything together at the last minute. With a C-section, though, an expectant mom has a very good idea about when the newest addition to her family will arrive. 

Since it is all planned out, there is more time to prepare. While there are always exceptions to the rule, there generally isn’t long to wait for the surgery on the big day, and the operation itself is usually quite short (less than an hour).

WHAT TO PACK IN HOSPITAL BAG FOR A C-SECTION

A C-section hospital bag should primarily be focused on and filled with essentials rather than optionals. When making your C-section hospital bag checklist for 2022, you can split up items into pre-surgery and recovery sections, or even separate them as individual bags.

Pre-Surgery

  • Eyeglasses and microfiber cloths for keeping them clean
  • Shampoo, conditioner, hairbrush, and hair ties
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste (travel-friendly, if possible)
  • Liquid soap (in a squeezable bottle)
  • Lip balm (don’t underestimate how dry your lips can get!)
  • Makeup basics (no need to overdo it!)
  • Phone, camera, and charging cables
  • Any special snacks and drinks you’re allowed to bring in
  • Slip-on shoes or sandals (for comfort, and to prevent bending over)
  • Comfortable pillow from home, and your own pillowcase
  • A copy of your birth plan
  • A folder or binder for other essential paperwork
  • List of VIP/emergency contacts

 

Recovery

 

WHAT NOT TO PACK IN YOUR C-SECTION HOSPITAL BAG

You know what you need to bring with you in your C-section hospital bag, but what can (or should) you leave at home? Certain items like baby diapers, baby wipes, hospital gowns, and so on are all usually provided by hospitals, so you probably don’t need to worry too much about packing those (though, for peace of mind, you can check with your hospital beforehand just to be sure).

Also leave behind magazines, books, tablets, and e-readers; after all, you won’t have much free time at the hospital before your surgery, and you’ll have your hands quite full afterward!

Exceptions to the Rule

Ideally, you should leave as much room in your C-section bag for what you really need. However, if bringing any of the aforementioned items will increase your comfort level for however long you’ll be in the hospital, by all means, put them in the bag! 

Better yet, have your spouse or another family member bring non-essential items with them at a later time. They can also, if needed, often purchase items for you from a hospital gift shop or nearby store.

WHEN TO PACK YOUR C-SECTION HOSPITAL BAG

Even though your C-section is a scheduled event, everyone knows that pregnancies can be unpredictable. The closer you get to your C-section date, the greater the chance that your water could break at any time, and you could find yourself in the hospital much earlier than planned. You don’t want to be caught unprepared, do you? 

Just to be safe, go ahead and have your C-section hospital bag packed two to three weeks before your scheduled surgery. Filling up your hospital bag early with the items on your C-section packing list will ensure that you have everything you need ready to go in your bag.

ORDER PRE-PACKED HOSPITAL BAGS FROM LILY + LLAMA!

If your little bundle of joy is scheduled to arrive by C-section, packing a C-section hospital bag is an essential step in preparing for the big day. Preparing your own C-section hospital bag may seem daunting, but Lily + Llama has pre-packed hospital bags you can order to save yourself some time and avoid stress. All of the Lily + Llama pre-packed hospital bag bundles are C-Section friendly.

Lily + Llama’s hospital bags are a game-changer, helping you worry less and focus on what really matters. Visit Lily + Llama today to see for yourself how these bags are an expectant mother’s dream come true!

March 14, 2022 — Michelle Conarty
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