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If you are having a planned C-Section (or trying to be prepared for all scenarios) then there are a few items that will be helpful to have on hand both at the hospital and when you go home with your new bundle of joy. Some of these items are helpful regardless of how you give birth, but there are some special considerations to keep in mind when recovering from a C-Section.

I’ve had 2 c-sections for both of my kiddos; the first was an emergency c-section and the second was planned (although I did go into labor spontaneously), so I wanted to share some of the items that were most helpful for me in my recovery.

5 Essential Items for Recovering from a C-Section

High-Waisted Supportive Underwear

Most hospitals offer mesh underwear that are super comfortable to wear after a major surgery. When you come home (or if you choose not to wear those) then you will want to have some underwear that don’t press on your incision. High-waisted supportive underwear will hit above your incision, and I found supportive underwear to be the most comfortable as it felt like it was holding everything in. Since your abdominal muscles were cut, this support is incredibly helpful. I linked some that I used, but really any high-waisted supportive underwear will fit the bill. 

Belly Binder / Belly Girdle

Some people like the stronger level of support that Belly Binders or Girdles provide and swear by them for post-partum recovery. So that’s another option worth considering.

Breastfeeding Pillow

If you plan on nursing, I found a Breastfeeding Pillow to be absolutely essential in recovering. Having a breastfeeding pillow will prevent you from unnecessarily hitting your incision while nursing baby. I also would just recommend them in general. They offer great support and make nursing much easier in those earlier days when you and baby are just getting the hang of things. My favorite is the My Breast Friend Nursing Pillow. It has a buckle that helps keep it in place and pockets for storing things like nursing pads or pacifiers that come in handy.

Stool Softener

I know this one is probably TMI, but you don’t want to be doing any straining or pushing right after a surgery. In many cases, the hospital will provide this or a prescription when you go home. If not, you should definitely consult with your doctor and get their advice.

Pads

This one applies no matter how you give birth, but you will need Pads for postpartum bleeding. You cannot use tampons after giving birth, and there will likely be a significant amount of bleeding. You don’t want those tiny little pads you might normally use, you want the big super absorbent ones.

(Nursing) Gowns

I didn’t particularly like the feeling of pants or leggings right away as they rubbed against my incision and made it uncomfortable. I preferred wearing a nightgown or dress for the first few days of recovery. I absolutely loved these Motherhood Maternity nursing night gowns and would highly recommend giving them a try.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I wish you all the best with your pregnancy, birth and recovery. If you enjoyed this post, you may also want to check out my post on 5 Things no one tells you about having a C-Section.