My C-Section Hospital Bag Essentials

20 Apr

Last updated: September 2026 · By Clare Maddalena, founder of LushTums, Senior Yoga Teacher, Doula and FEDANT-accredited Antenatal Educator with nearly 25 years' experience supporting families through pregnancy, birth and beyond.

The quick answer

For a planned (elective) caesarean, pack high-waisted cotton knickers that sit above your scar, maternity pads, loose button-front nightwear, slip-on slippers, a long phone charging cable, bendy straws, peppermint tea, fibre-rich snacks and your maternity notes. For your baby, pack nappies, sleepsuits, vests, muslins, a going-home outfit and a rear-facing car seat that's already fitted in the car. Your birth partner needs snacks, a phone for photos and a way to pay for parking. Most people go home 24 to 48 hours after a caesarean, so you don't need to pack for a week. It still helps to keep a small back-up bag at home that your partner can bring in if you stay longer.

Whether you've chosen a caesarean, been advised to have one or you're simply planning ahead for a belly birth, a well-packed bag takes one more thing off your mind. This c-section hospital bag checklist is based on what the families we work with at LushTums have actually found useful (and what they wish they'd brought).

Use it as a guide, not a rulebook. Some things will be perfect for you and others won't be. Add, cross out and amend as you like, then share it with your birth partner so they know where everything is. We'd also suggest packing a small second bag to leave at home so someone can bring extras in as and when you need them.

Top 10 c-section essentials (if you only read one list)

High-waisted cotton knickers – big, soft and sitting well above your wound
Maternity pads – you'll still bleed after a caesarean
Loose, button-front nightshirts – easy for skin-to-skin, feeding and a drip
Slip-on slippers or sliders – no bending down
A 2–3 metre phone charging cable – hospital plugs are never where the bed is
Bendy straws – sitting up to drink is harder than you think
Peppermint tea and mints – for trapped wind and nausea
Fibre-rich snacks – prunes, apricots, oat bars
Your maternity notes or app login and any regular medication
A rear-facing baby car seat, fitted in the car before the big day

What will I need while I'm waiting for my caesarean?

You'll usually be asked to arrive at the hospital a few hours before your caesarean. If the labour ward is busy or an emergency comes in, your slot can be pushed back, sometimes by quite a while. Having things to take your mind off the wait can help you stay calm and settled.

Phone or tablet, with headphones – for music, podcasts, a relaxation track or a guided breathing practice. This is a lovely time to use the breathing you've learned in pregnancy yoga.
A book, magazine or Kindle – something light and absorbing.
Chargers and a portable power bank – most hospitals have sockets but they're rarely convenient. A charged power bank is a small thing that makes a big difference.
Your caesarean birth preferences – a short, clear list of what matters to you on the day (see below).
Maternity notes – many trusts now use digital notes through an app, so make sure your phone is charged and you know your login. If you have paper notes, bring them.
Any regular medication, in its original packaging.
Any colostrum you've collected – if you've been doing antenatal colostrum harvesting, bring your frozen syringes in a cool bag with an ice pack, labelled with your name, and tell your midwife when you arrive. This can be a real help in the first hours if your baby needs a little extra.

A note on eating and drinking: you won't be able to eat for several hours before surgery, but most hospitals now let you have clear fluids (such as water, pulp-free juice or a non-fizzy sports drink) until about two hours before. Every trust has its own timings, so follow the fasting instructions your hospital gives you.

Your caesarean birth preferences

A planned caesarean can still be calm, personal and gentle. You might like to discuss these with your team and add them to your birth preferences:

Skin-to-skin in theatre, as soon as possible after birth
Lowering the screen (or a clear drape) so you can see your baby being born
Delayed cord clamping, where it's safe
Your own music playing in theatre
Your birth partner announcing the sex, if you haven't found out
Keeping the room calm and quiet at the moment of birth
Your feeding plans and whether you've collected colostrum

This is often called a gentle caesarean or family-centred caesarean, and many UK hospitals are happy to support these wishes where they can. For a real-life example, read Barbara's positive elective caesarean birth story.

What will my birth partner need?

Your birth partner is there to look after you, so they need to look after themselves too.

Snacks and drinks – you'll be fasting but they won't be, and a hungry birth partner is not a helpful birth partner.
Phone or camera for photos and videos of your baby's first moments. Check with your hospital first about photos in theatre, as policies vary.
A charged phone for calling and messaging family once your baby arrives.
Parking money – many hospital car parks now use pay-by-app, so download the app in advance and keep a card handy for snacks and machines.
A change of top and a toothbrush, in case they end up staying longer than planned.
The car seat, fitted and ready for going home.

What will I need after my caesarean birth?

After your caesarean you'll be offered regular pain relief, and you'll be able to eat and drink again as soon as you feel ready. Your midwife will encourage you to get up and move gently fairly soon, often within the first 12 to 24 hours, because this helps your recovery. You may also be given compression stockings and blood-thinning injections to reduce the risk of clots.

Here's what will make your time on the postnatal ward as comfortable as possible.

Clothing and comfort

Several pairs of big, high-waisted cotton knickers – ordinary knickers tend to sit right on your wound. Avoid nylon or lacy fabric, which can catch or irritate. Specialist c-section recovery knickers are also available if you'd like a little gentle support.
Two or three loose nightshirts or pyjamas that button down the front – short sleeves help with a drip and a warm ward, and buttons make skin-to-skin and feeding much easier.
A lightweight dressing gown – hospitals are often very warm. A dark colour or busy pattern is kind to any leaks (bleeding and a little leaking wee are both completely normal in the early days).
A wrap, shawl or soft cardigan that opens at the front – some people feel shivery after a spinal anaesthetic, and twisting into a jumper is tricky at first.
Backless slip-on slippers or sliders – bending down to put shoes on won't be much fun for a while.
Comfy, loose clothes for going home – high-waisted soft joggers or maternity leggings with a waistband that sits well above your scar, plus a loose top.
Your own pillow – many hospitals supply them, but your own is often comfier. A V-shaped or feeding pillow can protect your tummy while you feed.
Eye mask and earplugs – postnatal wards can be bright and noisy at night.

Bleeding, wash bag and personal care

Maternity pads – you'll bleed after a caesarean (called lochia), just as you would after a vaginal birth. Pack around 24, with more at home for the weeks ahead.
Wash bag – toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrush, hair ties, shower gel and shampoo. Unscented toiletries are a lovely choice, because your baby will love your own natural smell. Travel sizes save space.
A towel or two – some hospitals don't provide them.
Baby wipes or face wipes – for freshening up when getting to the bathroom feels like a mission.
Nappy sacks – for disposing of pads, wipes and nappies.
Lip balm and moisturiser – the warm air on the ward is very drying.
Glasses and a case, or contact lenses and a case – bedside cabinets are small and things get knocked.

Food, drink and digestion

Bendy straws – drinking lying down or half sitting is much easier with one. A large reusable water bottle with a straw is even better.
Fibre-rich snacks – prunes, dried apricots, oat bars or fruit. Pain relief and surgery can slow your bowels down, and nobody wants to strain on a new scar.
Peppermint tea bags – peppermint tea is a popular, gentle way to ease trapped wind, which is very common after abdominal surgery. A packet of mints can also help with any nausea.
Arnica or other natural remedies (optional) – some women like to use arnica or bellis perennis after a caesarean. There's no strong scientific evidence that they help, so always check with your midwife or doctor before taking anything alongside your prescribed medication.

Feeding

Nursing bras – two or three, remembering your breasts will probably grow as your milk comes in (usually around day two to four).
Breast pads – plenty of them.
Nipple cream – a purified lanolin or plant-based balm for sore nipples in those early days of breastfeeding.
If you're formula feeding – most hospitals ask you to bring ready-made formula and your own bottles, so check what your hospital provides.

Everything else

Phone and long charging cable – most wards are fine with phones, but it's worth checking.
Notebook and pen – to jot down feelings, memories, questions for the midwife or a list of things you'd like brought in.
A bank card and a little cash – for the hospital shop, vending machines or bedside TV.
Confidence! – please use that call buzzer. Midwives and maternity support workers can help with everything from pain relief to nappy changes to getting you in and out of bed. Asking for help is part of recovering well.

What will my baby need?

Your baby will stay with you on the postnatal ward, usually in a cot right beside your bed. Here's what they'll need:

About five sleepsuits and five vests – newborns get through a lot of clothes. Keep extras at home just in case.
Newborn nappies – up to 12 a day if you're using disposables. If you're using reusables, the number depends on the type you've chosen.
Cotton wool or water wipes – for gentle nappy changes.
Plenty of muslin squares – for milky mouths and little posset moments.
A few pairs of socks or booties
A couple of hats – useful for keeping baby cosy when they're dressed and away from you, especially on the journey home. When your baby is snuggled skin-to-skin on your chest, your own body warmth does a wonderful job, and many parents love going hat-free then so they can breathe in that delicious newborn smell. Your midwife will guide you on keeping your baby warm.
Scratch mittens – newborns can arrive with surprisingly long nails.
Disposable changing mats – to save on cot bedding changes.
A going-home outfit – stretchy all-in-ones are easiest.
A warm layer for leaving – a cardigan or pramsuit in cooler months. Avoid bulky snowsuits in the car seat, as they stop the harness fitting snugly. Put a blanket over the top of the fastened straps instead.
A rear-facing baby car seat – essential if you're leaving by car. Choose an i-Size (R129) seat, fit it before the birth and practise the harness so your partner isn't wrestling with it in the hospital car park.

Going home after a caesarean

Most women and birthing people go home 24 to 48 hours after a planned caesarean, though it can be longer depending on how you and your baby are recovering.

A few things to plan for:

You won't be driving yourself home. Most people aren't advised to drive for around six weeks after a caesarean, and you'll need to check your own car insurance, so arrange a lift.
Stock up at home – maternity pads, soft high-waisted knickers, easy snacks and a water bottle with a straw by the sofa and bed.
Accept help – with lifting, shopping, older children and housework. Your body has had major abdominal surgery and grown a human, so rest is not optional.

For much more on the weeks ahead, read our guide to recovering from a c-section.

Frequently asked questions

When should I pack my hospital bag for a planned c-section?

Aim to have your bag ready by around 36 weeks. Even with a booked caesarean date, babies sometimes have other ideas and labour can start earlier.

What are the most important things to pack for a c-section?

High-waisted knickers that sit above your wound, maternity pads, loose button-front nightwear, slip-on footwear, a long charging cable, snacks for your partner, your maternity notes and a fitted car seat for your baby.

Do I need different things for a c-section compared with a vaginal birth?

Mostly it's the same, with a few c-section extras: high-waisted underwear, loose clothes with nothing pressing on your tummy, slip-on shoes, bendy straws, peppermint tea for trapped wind and a pillow to protect your scar when feeding or coughing.

How long will I stay in hospital after a planned caesarean?

Most people stay 24 to 48 hours if all is well. Pack a couple of spares and keep a back-up bag at home in case you need to stay longer.

Can I eat before my planned caesarean?

You'll need to stop eating several hours before surgery, and most hospitals allow clear fluids until around two hours before. Your hospital will give you exact timings, so always follow those.

Can I bring my own music into theatre?

Often, yes. Many UK hospitals are happy for you to play your own music during a planned caesarean. Add it to your birth preferences and ask at your pre-op appointment.

Can yoga help me prepare for a caesarean?

Yes. Pregnancy yoga can teach you breathing and relaxation techniques to stay calm before and during surgery. It also eases pregnancy aches and builds gentle strength and body awareness that supports your recovery afterwards.

Preparing your body and mind for a caesarean birth

Packing your bag is one part of preparing. The other part is you. At our LushTums Pregnancy Yoga & Birth Prep classes in Brighton (and online with LushTums At Home), you can:

Make friends with other parents-to-be due around the same time
Ease pregnancy aches and ailments, from back pain to pelvic girdle pain
Sleep better
Learn calming breathing techniques to help you feel steady before any birth intervention, including a caesarean
Relax deeply using your breath and body awareness, which is brilliant both before and after a c-section

Then, once you've had the go-ahead from your GP or midwife, join us for LushTums Postnatal Yoga to gently rebuild strength from the inside out, reconnect with your core and pelvic floor and meet other new parents.

Become a LushTums teacher

Do you feel passionate about birth and want to support others through pregnancy and early parenthood? Join our team of wonderful teachers. No previous yoga or birth experience is needed. Our in-depth training teaches you everything you need to set up your own rewarding, flexible pregnancy yoga business in just three months. Find out more today

This article is for general information and doesn't replace advice from your own midwife, obstetrician or anaesthetist. Always follow the guidance your hospital gives you.