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.
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 tap 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.
Related: My first c-section and the gifts I wished I’d gotten!
Most women don’t expect to have a c-section the first time around. So they don’t really prepare for one. Which 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 Gifts 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. (By the way, he is only now starting to eat everything in sight–and he is twelve. It was always a struggle when he was younger to get him to sit and EAT.)
Read: Weird but effective way to overcome nipple confusion while breastfeeding
A c-section care package that shows you care
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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.
- 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!
Postpartum panties: I felt like all it would take for my guts to fall out of my incision was one good sneeze. These support underwear help with that.
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 of ice water is a lifesaver.
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!
In terms of warm soothing beverages, nothing beats the practicality of Mother’s Milk or Earth Mama teas.
A basket full of goodies are perfect for post-surgery
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.
Diaper rash cream (we love Healthy Jelly which is non-petroleum based but works wonders, swaddle blankets, and diaper changing stuff for her to keep nearby are easy items to include in a basket.
These breast pain relief pads[/easyazon_link] are another huge hit with new moms, c-section or not.
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!
Several other moms have noted that their baby carriers were lifesavers! I agree. I put my Baby Bjorn and my Moby wrap to good use with my kids.
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. The Instant Pot was made for moms.
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.
Maybe something on this list will be the one gift that she didn’t know she’d need but now can’t live without! (That’s how I feel about myInstant Pot and the Healthy Jelly, which we still use for eczema flare ups now that my kids are preteens.)
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
Snehi Gupra says
Hi,
Loved the idea to gift support pillows !
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