Ideas for C-section Care Package

Can you make her meals that she can put in her freezer and just reheat. It's hard enough to recover from c-section and take care of baby let alone worrying about dinner. I wish someone would have done that for me it would have been very much appreciated.

I just did this for my friends' mom who had a stroke. She was thrilled.

www.dinewise.com

I wanted to make life easier while she recovers, but I don't have a lot of time to make the prepare ahead meals. So, this was perfect for us. I got 9 days worth of meals delivered to her door for $250.00. Do a google seach for coupons for dinewise, I found one that saved me 15%.

Make up a bunch of meals for her freezer!!! I had twins and scheduled c-section, anyone who asked what they could do, I asked to bring a meal. It was GREAT and a WONDERFUL help to my husband and I. You could go to one of those meal prep places and make a bunch of meals. She will be so thankful.

My first baby (born 8/16/07) was delivered via c-section (she was breech). If you'd like to prepare a care package - perhaps you can make her a few meals to keep in the freezer to be used those first few nights after she's home from the hospital. She'll be too tired to cook, it's hard to move around a lot, the least amount of activity is the best for healing quickly, and there's hardly any time to cook anyway - which you probably know since you're a mommy too. With the c-section, it's just that much harder to do those household chores since you can't bend or reach up high, and walking is sometimes painful also. She needs good, nutritious food too if she plans on nursing, so this is a great thing to prepare. If you're looking for something more - try putting together a basket of kleenex, burp clothes, diapers, wipes, ointment, an extra sleeper for the baby, an extra shirt for her in case os spit ups, bottled water, a snack, pacifiers (all sterilized), lotion, magazines, etc for her to keep next to the couch while she's home on maternity leave - at first, it will be hard for her to continue to get up for those little things she might need/want -and if she's holding or nursing the baby on the couch, she'll have cloths, diapers and other things handy without having to bend to get up, and she'll have snacks and water and lotion handy for her own use when she's relaxing - all at her side for easy access. One more idea - before the baby is born, help her organize her home so that everything is up at arms reach/counter height in the kitchen - no reaching and no bending. Trust me - all VERY helpful when you're feeling helpless.

Hope it helps!

Massage! :) Find a licensed therapist who has been trained to provide pregnancy and post-pregnancy massage. It will help the healing process immensely and also help with post-partum depression and stress.

Raw coconut oil will help soften the skin, and heal the skin around the wound (not to be applied directly on top of the scar area, but within 1/2 inch. Jajoba oil (pure), aloe gel (pure) and shea butter (pure) are also great skin healers.

Pedicure/Massage - for those tired feet that she won't be wanting to reach!

Healthy snacks and naturally sweetened goodies such as naturally sweetened apple sauce, carrot sticks, frozen fruit chunks (grapes, watermelon, bananas, blueberries, peaches, etc.) are great alone or paired with high fiber cereals or yogurt. They're packed with nutrition to aid in the healing process and will help give her the energy she needs to take care of her baby as well as herself.

Hot pack! Either flax seed/rice and flannel with essential oils or crushed herbs/flowers (you can make your own to microwave - careful, they can catch fire if microwaved too long), or water bottle, or electric heating pad (this would be my last resort). Not to be placed directly over the wound until the surface skin has completely healed. Place on low back area. Will calm the nervous system and bring pain and stress relief as well as induce healing.

After my c-section, I had a really hard time getting into and out of bed - my bed sits a bit high, but I think it would have hurt even with a standard size bed. I used a footstool next to the bed to get in and out and it really helped.

Another thing I would recommend is make ahead freezer meals - you can find a ton of recipes online or go to a place like Let's Dish. Depending on her physical condition, it may take several months for her to completely heal. I didn't feel like my old self abs-wise until my son was 6 months and I still have some twinges occasionally (he is now 10 months).

If you can find some really cute, comfy, and roomy boxer type shorts she can wear sans panties, it will help keep that elastic band off of her scar.

That's about all I can think of. There are of course the things I think all new moms would love: nursing pads, soup on hand (cause you just don't have time to eat with a newborn!), and of course, sleep. Although, who wouldn't love a few more hours of that each night?

Folks are giving a lot of great advice, but much of it requires FINDING someone to do work for your sister--but then I saw someone suggested a post-partum doula. My husband and I were new to the area (we moved cross country about 4 weeks before I had my baby) and I seriously wonder if we shouldn't have hired a post partum doula to help out (I didn't even have a c-section). If that's something you can do, check out dona.org (Doulas of North America) and they have a search where you can find a post partum doula (as opposed to a birthing doula) in your area.

I've had two C sections - I'd say make sure she has a good supply of thick feminine pads and nursing pads and Lansinoh (if she's going to nurse) as well as some pre-made meals and bottled water. if possible, make sure her house is clean before she comes home from the hospital, all the laundry and dishes done - give a good supply of paper plates and plastic silverware so they won't need to do dishes at the beginning. That will help her to have more time to focus on recovering and taking care of her baby! If you can help her be prepared before the baby comes, it will make that first week so much easier!

I just had a C-Section one month ago today and from what I remember of the first week extra Ibuprofin would have helped along with some pillows help prop her up, getting in and out of bed was tough when I first got home and if she is nursing it is hard to hold the new baby without extra support. I would also say some easy snacks and meals would help. The healing really does go quicker than you might think and before she knows it she will be feeling better : ) Wish her luck!

I know when I had my first c-section I couldn't move around much for about three weeks to a month. The first two weeks are the absolute worse and a weight restriction of like 10lbs. is in place too. If I wasn't too much of a self doer I'd want help with cooking, laundry and cleaning. Some time to rest and sleep would have been great. I worried too much about chores and my husband wouldn't do it when I wanted:)

I'll suggest a service to deliver the family meals at least once if not more a day. Maybe frozen meals will be fine too if cost is a factor. A maid service for 1-2 weeks that will do the floors, dumping trash and laundry or something.
You could get find a service to deliver meals the first week and you can help out with the other the second or something.

I wasn't a c-section mom but I would think any healty foods she doesn't have to prepair. Froozen meals (caserole, lasagne) would be great.

Get her a few magazines or a book (because she should be resting) and maid/pet service for a week. That is what I would have appreciated most after my C-section.

I had an emergency c-section with my baby, so I wasn't prepared at all to recover from major surgery. I second what everyone has said about meals, cleaning, etc. Here are some suggestions from my recovery: large, "granny pants" underwear. The incision will likely bleed, and she'll be swollen for at least ten days after the surgery (my feet and toes looked like angry sausages). Don't want clingy undies complicating bandage changes, etc. Plus, they'll probably best be thrown away once the incision is healed and her swelling abates. Also, a set of new sheets for her bed -- this also ties into the unexpected blood she may stain her sheets with. Not that sheets can't be washed, but the new sheets will mark her full recovery from the surgery! Finally, the Boppy is a good idea: I had the My Brest Friend pillow, though. The Boppy didn't fit me, especially around/above my incision, the Brest Friend was adjustable and had a belt to keep it in place on your body. Happy healthy birth to your sister and her baby, and Happy New Auntdom to you!

How thoughtful of you to want to help. Getting around will likely be uncomfortable for her the first few days. Frozen meals would be very helpful - something she can just pop into the microwave or oven. Help her get ready for the baby before you leave - make sure all of the laundry is done, the house is in order, diapers and baby clothes are easily accessible, refrigerator and cupboards are stocked. I know this doesn't sound very exciting, but I'm sure she will really appreciate the help.

Definitely pre-maid meals. If this is her first, she will be in a lot of pain. The easier the transission home can be made the best. Several pre-made meals that she can freeze and thaw as needed, the best. A stool to sit on in the shower, nursing pillow (even if she is not nursing) make holding a newborn easier when your dealing with incision pain. I would even suggest favorite beverages of the mom. Sometimes just going to the fridge for a drink is a chore in itself. So if she can just reach in and grab something and get back to her baby is great. The snuggly was also one of my favorites, it's a carrier you wear on your chest to carry a baby. Those were things I was thankful for when I had my first c-section. The best was always a nap, maybe you know of someone that could come in your place and just let her nap? Good luck and congrats to her! (She is very lucky to have a thoughtful person like you in her life!)

I had a c-section and was unable to care for my baby for the first 3 weeks due to a long recovery. Luckily I had a wonderful mother in law who was able to stay with us at the last minute. Had I known what I do now, I would have enlisted the help of a post-pardum dula, at least for the first few days home. If you can afford such a thing, or go in with someone towards it, I can't think of a better gift in your absense. If that is not financially possilbe, premade meals or gift certificates for local restuants that deliver are a god send.

Hi, R.!

I had a C-section with my son 9 months ago. In the hospital, there were constantly nurses around to help and monitor, so when we got home, I just wanted it to be my husband, baby and I. In that regard, it's fine that you won't be there every second to help out that first week...let them get used to each other. You've received great suggestions and I second these:

Organize everything at arm-level before the birth.

Do ALL laundry and dishes before the birth so they start fresh.

Frozen meals, or set up people to quickly deliver a meal each night. My church did this and it was the best blessing.

Lots of pillows for nursing, sitting, propping, everything!

I also watched a LOT of DVD's while nursing and pumping in the middle of the night, so that was a fun suggestion.

Hope these help!

Ummmmm, as far as the post about not feeling guilty about having a c-section, the post stated that R. felt guilty about not being able to help out. There was no reference that I could see about guilt associated with c-section.

R.! You are a great sister! I loved ideas about cleaning and so forth. when I had my baby I really wished that I had thought to stock up on fruits and veggies to eat while nursing. Mabey a basket of fresh fruits would be appropriate. Also, a pretty nursing gown would be nice. You know when you have your baby all the sudden you realize that your body did not snap back into place? Something pretty to wear makes it better!
Congratulations on your new niece or nephew!

BOPPY PILLOW!!! I didn't want my son pushing on my scar and the boppy pillow allowed my son to lay and push on that instead of my scar. And I agree with what many said about frozen meals. That would be one less thing she'd have to worry about. I don't know what she all has but a swing or a bouncy seat. Is that what it's called, a bouncy seat? My "bouncy seat" vibrated. It was by Leap Frog. It had a thing that went over them and light up and then the seat vibrated I think at three different strengths (is that how you say it, strenghts, hehe, sorry). A bassinet or pack n' play that she can set the baby in and still have him/her in the living room with her and she can keep on eye on him/her without having to carry/hold him/her all the time. Also, like others have said pain reliever! If she has a prescribtion makes sure she has enough or go buy her some over the counter pain releiver. Anything you get her she will appreciate!

R.,
No need to feel guilty. Everyone has life to live even when babies come into the world. I had to have an emergency C-section with my first also, the best "care package" items I got were meals, some housework help and one friend loaned me the DVD's to a TV show that my husband and I watched when the baby was nursing late at night. I got frustrated when folks came over and offered to hold the baby while I did laundry or something. I wanted them to do the laundry so I could stop worrying about that and enjoy this new precious little person. I also was so disappointed about having to have the C-section that I needed some make up bonding time to grieve and get connected to this baby who I felt I had let down. Just help where you can and be really supportive. That's a fantastic gift that is probably more important than anything.

Two great things I have heard from friends, first a company that come to your home and prepares meals for the first week or two, or a cleaning service for the first weeks home. Some gifts I really appreciated were comfy pajamas and self care items since you know you don't have much time to think or care for yourself at first. Also extra diapers or baby care items so they don't have to make any surprise trips to go get them.

For the first week when you are not there, I would suggest getting her the things she will need, but arent pretty - newborns diapers and wipes, nursing pads, feminine pads, things like that, she will go through MANY! I would also suggest food - premade frozen home cooked meals would be wonderful!

Once you are back, HELP! LOL! Help with the baby so she can sleep, help running errands til she feels up to it, doing laundry/dishes, etc.

S.

R.,
I did not have a C, but let me tell you how wonderful it was to have people bring over meals...things like lasagna and chicken enchiladas - you can freeze them ahead of time and when the family returns from the hospital, Mom and Dad have something easy and healthy to eat without having to go anywhere.
J.
P.S. Don't feel guilty - just be glad that it is only the first week!

my number one thing would be a bottle of lavender pure essential oil this is great for putting a few drops on a hankie nearby to soothe and destress mum and baby but also in the bath.
The best benefit is also its antiseptic quality, a drop into about an egg cup of preboiled water, applied to the wound with cotton wool and left to dry on the surface of skin. will help to protect infection and help to heal too.

I have read the other 9 posts to date. I have to agree with each and every one of them. The best thing I got was my mom was able to travel 650 miles to be with the new family for a week. She cooked (house was pretty clean, bue she kept it tidy) and also took my daughter after a nursing and cuddled with her while I got some uninterrupted sleep. My hubby was having to get up at 4 am and work 14+ hour days, so he held her when he was home, but slept in a different room so I could get the rest I needed to recover. My c-section wasn't bad at all and now have to decide if we will do VBAC or a C again next March...

However, if my mom was unable to be there the best gift(s) would have been....someone to do laundry a couple times the first week or so, frozen meals are a must, if nursing: cold packs and lansinoh, help limit visits from friends the first week or so (seems they always show up when you are sleeping!). A calm smelling plug-in or diffuser (to help relax mom). Along with some of the other suggestions you've already gotten! Don't forget someone to vacuum as she won't be able to do that for awhile.

As far as the thick pads go, depending on your doctor they suck out as much as possible after baby is removed from womb. I didn't need but 1 pack of them and they definetly were way too thick for the dribble of discharge I had. Just make sure you keep the receipt so you can return any unused packages.

I had a section in January and the best for me was good company and help. Help her get time to sleep and feed her. If she was like me, she might have a depressed appetite but yet still needs the calories.

And if she plans on nursing help her get a good "nursing station " set up. A good comfy chair with everything she'll need close by...a good bobby, pillows. I found positioning and getting comfortable while nursing very difficult in the first few weeks while recovering from a c-section.

i think all the ideas you have already received are great. Most of them require money though but if you can swing it then delivered or frozen meals and maid service would be awesome. the most important thing i think is that when you return you help out as much as possible by doing the laundry including folding and putting away if possible, taking out the trash, cleaning, grocery shopping and any other errands. Even when a few months have gone by and its seems like things have calmed down she will still need and appreciate help with house hold chores. My twins are three and I still wish someone would come help with my laundry! She's not going to remember your absence as much as how much you pitched in and helped out once you returned.

A c-section is Major Abdominal Surgery, which is very painful and can take a couple years to fully recover from. I had always wished someone had given me a comprehensive book on the history of cesarean section births because this surgery has been around much longer than one might expect. It is also helpful to give nursing clothes, like a soft lounge dress she can wear with a slit at the chest for nursing (from a maternity shop). I really hated having to cook all the meals once I came home, so lots of good yummy frozen food delivered by the grocery store or a friend is always awesome. For other groceries, don't forget the iron-rich foods and the juices with more of a laxative effect such as prune juice. Oh yeah, and a box of Kleenex and magazines...in a basket so she can keep all she needs in one place. Tell her that you've been told the scar shrinks down after a while. I suppose you can also get her some nice self-care products, like bath salt packets and some new lipstick and nail polish if she's into that. She will just like it that you are there for her, believe me. Make sure you let her talk about the birth as much as she wants.

I had a C section about 3 months ago. I really appreciated meals prepared ahead-especially in single serving sizes. No leftovers to deal with that way! Having healthy, easy snacks on hand was something else I thought helped. The one thing that no one told me, and I wish I had known ahead of time, was to make sure to take stool softners. The painkillers she will likely be taking will cause constipation. Not something anyone wants to think about, but that was more painful than my incision. Another thing you can do later is be there to carry things when she needs to go out-dr appts, church, groceries,ect. You are a great sister!!

I'm sure you're doing a lot of this already, but what about going over now to help her organize things and get things in order for when the baby comes? You could also help her plan meals for the first week and have them all ready to go. I can remember how hard it is to move around those last few weeks! If you stay at home and she works, she might like it if you offered to run some last minute errands that she hasn't gotten around to yet. It might be nice for her to be able to get home and put her feet up instead of running around trying to tie up loose ends. Help her to enjoy as much of these last few baby-free days as she can!!!

Once the baby comes, a great gift (for free!) would be to help her print and put all of the baby's pictures in photo albums. You could also help her organize and label them. I still have pictures from 2 years ago that I still haven't gotten around to printing or putting into albums! It is something that I would really like to have, but I can't seem to find the time to get it done!!!

Hope this helps! Best of luck to your sister and speedy recovery!

After my son was born the greatest thing anyone did for me was come play with my then 9y.o. daughter so I could nap when the baby napped. She just loved getting 1 on 1 time with daddy,grandma, and her fav. auntie. Another nice thing was my mother-in-law stopping by 2 times every day on her way to and from work to ask if I needed anything from the store and to take my trash out when hubby was unavailable.(We lived on the 3rd floor) My daughter got into the act by rocking her brother or even just listening for him while I showered. It gave them bonding time plus she earned Dairy Queen trips for every 1/2 hour she "babysat".