A cesarean section is major surgery and deserves a special c section gift basket for sure. Normally that first one is unexpected. A new cesarean section mom may need things they didn’t think to add to their baby registry. Luckily, the internet has made it easier to get the things she may need deliver sent to her door.
Did you have a birth plan when you had your first child? Were you positive that you were going to have a natural birth? I have a confession, one of the happiest moments in my life was when my OB said, “It looks like you need an emergency C-section.”
Seriously, I think my smile lit up the entire birth wing…even though it was about 3 am at the time.
I was in immense pain.
When I was pregnant, a friend told me how her epidural ran out before the worst of the pain hit her. I was terrified that would happen to me so I held off on the epidural as long as possible.
Finally, my doctor looked me in the eye and asked, “Why are you waiting? We talked about the epidural a while ago?”
When I told her how scared I was that it would wear off right when I needed it the most, she laughed and said, “If it wears off, we’ll just give you more.” Needless to say, I stopped waiting.
My water broke as we were leaving Blockbuster (RIP) earlier that evening. The pain was intense and here I was stubbornly refusing the epidural.
It turns out I never dilate past 1 centimeter.
To be fair, I’d already undergone an appendectomy, a gall bladder surgery, and endometriosis laparoscopies, prior to pregnancy so I might have been a smidge more comfortable with the idea of major surgery than most women would be.
But for someone who wasn’t expecting a cesarean, the post-surgery recovery is no joke. This may have been just another doctor digging around in my guts, but instead of resting in bed being waited on hand and foot afterward, there was this little colicky baby that needed me.
And I wanted to be there for that little pork chop.
Baby showers and new baby gifts tend to focus on the baby. As with my get-well kit for moms and my “hidden compartment” floral arrangement for moms, I like to give gifts that focus on the mama, as well as the baby. My husband likes to tell the kids, “If Mommy gets sick, we’re in trouble.”
Moms take care of everyone so when she’s the one needing help, she can be overlooked.
This post has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. Affiliate links are included. #MyMederma #CollectiveBias
How to Make a Post Cesarean Section Gift Basket
Tip number one, pick a basket that can be used by the new mom after she unpacks it. I like to use bins or baskets that match the mom’s home decor style. The basket used in the photos in this post was one that was gifted to me. I use it to showcase the items I recommend in my various gift basket lists (obviously) but when not modeling in photo shoots, it holds my current crochet or knitting project and yarn.
I used to use it to hold a handful of diapers, a packet of wipes, a cloth diaper, and diaper rash ointment when my kids were babies.
I like these baskets on Amazon because they can be repurposed and used long after the basket is received.
Gather your gifts.
Cute beverage container – Swelling is normal post c-section. Drinking plenty of water will help a new mom flush out the medications and the extra fluid from the surgery. Adding a Rtic or Yeti Cup to a c section gift basket is a nice touch.
It is important that the new mom put up their legs and rest during the day. A comfortable throw blanket is perfect for keeping mom warm while nursing.
Sleeping mask — I won’t lie. This gift recipient won’t be getting much sleep for the next five years or so. That is why it is important that she is able to get comfortable and fall asleep right away when she can. A contoured blackout sleep mask helps when the only time you can sleep is during the day when the baby sleeps.
This ebook would also be a great way to help a new mom get some sleep. I personally know (and love) the author, Kim C. Starr. She has young, rambunctious kids and is one of the funniest and most positive women I know. She must be getting enough sleep! She has a sleep training journal and planner on Amazon to help your friend get on track. (I wish I had known her 12 years ago and when my newborn son NEVER SLEPT.) She also has the most detailed and in-depth website on the subject and did I mention that she’s a nurse? Visit her site, Sleep Training Kids.
Gel packs for breast relief — It can hurt when milk comes in. When you add that to the pain of having your lower belly cut open and sewn back together, every little bit of relief counts. These breast gel packs are super popular among my readers.
And wear the postpartum support recovery girdle! I didn’t wear mine as often as I should have, and I regret it. I wish someone had stressed to me how important this thing is for recovery. It will help your severed stomach muscles heal correctly.
Godiva — A must have after a stressful delivery.
“Granny Panties” – I did not have any full-sized, high-waisted underwear. The waistband of every single pair of underwear I owned landed on my incision. Elastic and a healing C-section wound do not play well together. I immediately sent my husband to Target for new ones. I told him to get the highest waistband possible. He ended up asking a store clerk to help him find the “right Granny Panties!” The female clerk completely understood and helped him out. He got me some good old-fashioned high-waisted white cotton Hanes. They are so ugly (so incredibly ugly) but felt so much better! Now they have comfortable specialty postpartum underwear on Amazon.
You can also find postpartum underwear online. I found out about these from one of my readers.
Mederma Advanced Scar Gel or Mederma PM — Mederma Advanced Scar Gel helped me minimize the appearance of my c-section scar and the scars from my other surgeries.
Arrange the items in the basket and you have an easy new mom gift basket to drop off (with a cooked meal!)
Did you have a cesarean? What would you add to the c section gift basket?
More resources:
The weird way I overcame nipple confusion
Kari says
One thing I would add are Fiber Bars! Especially helpful with the epidural/spinal meds and their side effects. Plus, they taste better than fiber powders you stir into your water and usually have a chocolate flavor that is an added treat!
Kristen Hewitt says
Maderma is AWESOME! And so is that chocolate! Pinned and stumbled!
Herchel says
Yeah–I totally ate that chocolate lol