Do you know someone who is desperately in need of a c-section gift basket? Many first-time moms who learn they need to have a cesarean find out while in the middle of labor. Chances are a basket or package with practical c-section gifts will help more than you know.
She will have just undergone major surgery, may have a tender incision across her abdomen, and will feel like her guts are going to fall out if she coughs or sneezes. Then she will be sent home to heal with a brand new squirming human.
It can be overwhelming. At least it was for me when my son was born.
I found out at 3 am, after six hours of labor, that I wasn’t dilating past one cm. (I also didn’t dilate with my second baby.)
Not that my babies cared about the “expected due date, ” or even the scheduled c-section for my daughter.
My son decided he was ready to get some fresh air three weeks before I was due.
My daughter was scheduled to be delivered on a Monday–so she decided to make her appearance the Friday before and disrupt all of our weekend plans. (Just kidding, I was uncomfortably large so my only plan was to play with my son who was just over a year old.)
Regardless, everyone knows that the weeks after bringing home a newborn are rough. But being a new mom while recovering from major surgery was so bad that I seem to have forgotten most of it. Apparently, the human brain helps moms black out some of the worst parts so we will continue to procreate.
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What should you put in a C-section gift basket?
The most helpful C-section gift baskets focus on recovery—but the items that actually get used the most aren’t always the obvious ones. The biggest difference usually comes from a few practical things most people don’t think to include.
If You Only Include 3 Things in a C-Section Gift Basket
If you’re not sure where to start, focus on the items that actually help with support and recovery after surgery.
These are the kinds of things that make a noticeable difference in those first few days:
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Something that supports your core (this mattered more than I expected)
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Something that makes sitting and feeding more comfortable (especially those first few days)
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Something that keeps essentials within reach so you don’t have to keep getting up (this becomes a bigger deal than you think)
Everything else is helpful, but these are the things that get used constantly.
Cesarean Section Deliveries are Not the “Easy Way Out”
I’ve seen terrible “mommy war” comments online perpetuating the natural vs c-section debate. Honestly, it’s a stupid debate.
I don’t entertain the idea that c-section moms don’t go through “real labor.” I assure you, I labored through very real, very regular contractions for over 15 hours with my son. After I was given Pitocin, the pain was almost unbearable but I still wasn’t dilating.
When the doctor explained that I needed an emergency c-section, I was overcome with relief.
With my daughter, I had my first real contraction after taking a few bites of breakfast. Since I knew that they wouldn’t do my spinal block until 8 hours after I last ate, I finished my meal! I had an active toddler, and I was huge. I’d just made pancakes and I refused to go to the hospital until I finished them.
(My husband proceeded to freak out while I ate.)
For some reason, the nurses didn’t tell my ob-gyn that my contractions were as close as they were. A couple of hours into labor, the doctor took one look at me, timed my contractions, and called for anesthesiology. Up until then, I had been in active labor with no pain medication for hours.
So I dispute the notion that I didn’t go through real labor.
Most women don’t expect to have a c-section the first time around. So they don’t really prepare for the possibility. This makes sense because how can you prepare for something you’ve never experienced? Why would you put things on your registry that you may not need?
Unfortunately, the surgery adds an extra layer of difficulty to those first few weeks. These thoughtful c-section care package ideas will be a big help.
Best Gift Ideas for C-Section Moms
A few extra pillows or support pillows
Before having children, I had 3 abdominal surgeries. I should have been more prepared than I was. In my defense, I didn’t have a colicky newborn when I was healing from those first 3 surgeries. I had the peace, quiet, and time off from work to heal from the pre-children procedures.
My newborn son did not like to eat. He struggled with latching on then spent hours crying, because he was hungry.
One thing I didn’t think about ahead of time was how hard it would be to get comfortable while sitting, feeding, or even just holding the baby.
I assumed I could just “adjust” like normal—but that wasn’t the case at all those first few days.
Having the right support made a bigger difference than I expected.
Read: Weird but effective way to overcome nipple confusion while breastfeeding
Practical C-Section Recovery Gifts
The anesthesia and intravenous pain medications will wear off shortly after mom and baby are released. There will be “discomfort.” I also think that my weakened core (you know, the one that was cut open to free my kid) contributed to the pain I felt in my back.
The underwear I didn’t know I’d need
When I got home from the hospital, one of the first things I wanted to do was change out of those hospital issued mesh underwear — you know, the one size fits all so really doesn’t fit anyone undies. Turns out that all the panties I owned were sized for maximum pain. They all were low rise or mid rise and landed or slid right down to my c-section scar and dug into the wound. I sent my husband straight to Target. Luckily, a store associate saw him wandering in the ladies underwear aisle and gave him a pack of granny panties for me. These are the kind of high-waisted postpartum underwear that don’t press on your incision at all → cauniss Womens High Waist Cotton Panties C-Section Recovery Postpartum Soft...
Speaking of things to help ease pain…
This C-section recovery band. This wasn’t available when I had my babies but I wish it was! It offers hot or cold relief where you need it. I only had the c-section binder that didn’t include cold packs.
- A lumbar support pillow, and a wedge pillow for sleeping, helped relieve the pain so I could focus on my new baby and healing.
- Breastfeeding pillows are a must! I prefer the My Brest Friend to the Boppy. It offers more support and buckles for a secure fit. Plus, the little pocket is perfect for storing a clean burp cloth. It will be in reach when it is most needed. No lie, it’s the little things that make a difference.
My Boppy was a baby shower gift. It became my “guest” pillow. More specifically, it was the pillow I placed on my Dad or sister’s laps when they wanted to hold the baby! Both refuse to hold newborns unless they are sitting and have the Boppy!
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A huge Yeti or Rtic cup
It irked me that nobody warned me about all the swelling following the cesarean. The swelling in my legs and feet was no joke.
A large Yeti tumbler, Rtic, Stanley full of ice water is a lifesaver.
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To relieve the swelling, you have to drink lots of fluids. But, the swelling and pain make pushing your sore self off of the couch or bed less than fun. Guess which muscles are needed to move from lying down to sitting, then to standing?
Having a large container of ice-cold water by your side is glorious.
What I didn’t expect was how often I would avoid getting up just because it hurt or felt like too much effort.
That’s why having a large tumbler already filled within reach ended up being one of those small things that made a big difference.
Alternatively, warm soothing beverages which also help if you are breastfeeding, nothing beats the practicality of Mother’s Milk or Earth Mama teas.
A basket full of goodies is a perfect post-surgery c-section care package
This isn’t the easiest phase of motherhood, c-section or not. My top gift for moms after a c-section is to get them a basketful of goodies to go along with the practical stuff.
We love Bee Magic , as a diaper rash cream, because it is non-petroleum based but works wonders. Other practical baby items that are always a big hit are swaddle blankets, and diaper-changing stuff for her to keep nearby are easy items to include in a basket.
Several other moms have noted that their baby carriers were lifesavers! I agree. I put my Baby Bjorn and my cloth wrap to good use with my kids.
Practical post-surgery self care items for new moms
Let’s face, when another living being who cannot care for him or herself first enters your world, taking care of yourself is moved to the bottom of the priority list. These items will help remind Mom to take care of herself when she can.
Hair Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner from Pura D’Or is a great gift that might also soothe mom if (or when) she finally showers and notices her hair falling out! This is a normal part of postpartum that not enough people warn new moms about but it’s perfectly normal. Plus, it’s Made in the USA, has Zero artificial preservatives, and is a USDA Certified Bio based Product.
These breast pain relief pads are always appreciated because who’d think to put them in a gift basket!
For some, the idea of a scar can be an added source of stress for an over-tired and highly emotional new mom. This new organic skin and scar balm is one that my readers often buy! They also make scar patches now.
A gift card for mom
Nothing makes a c-section mom feel better than her first adventure out after being inside for weeks at a time. Get mom a gift card, so she can enjoy lunch/dinner or a little shopping trip when she can finally leave her house without her nugget.
Bring her family dinner
The good old casserole or covered dish will never get old. I also believe the Instant Pot was made for moms, though I used it more when my kids were out of the newborn phase.
My Instant Pot spaghetti recipe can be made in 30 minutes!
It really is the thought that counts.
Finding the perfect gift for a c-section mom means relieving some of her burdens, even if only for a minute.
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Did you have a c-section? What were your favorite gifts?
For more gift ideas for new moms check these out!
More ideas for c-section moms:
Give the ultimate post c-section gift basket
How to Get Your Friends to Buy the Useful Baby Shower Gifts You Really Want
A reminder on why parenting is a gift! –> Inspirational Quotes about Raising Kids
Jessica Lykins says
Listen – as a mom of four kids who were born via c-section, these are all great ideas!
Snehi Gupra says
Hi,
Loved the idea to gift support pillows !
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