My daughter (24) called me yesterday (we live thousands of miles apart in the USA) saying she had a headache for the last few days and had just woken up from a nap with her vision going in and out. She was 8 months pregnant. I told her to get to the hospital ASAP as I suspected eclampsia. She made it to the hospital about 45 minutes later. As soon as she got there, she had a seizure on the ER floor. They did an emergency C-section. The baby is 4 lbs but thriving. They are still trying to get her blood pressure and temperature down.
I want to send a care package and was hoping for recommendations from other women who have had C-sections on what they found useful or comforting. She’s my only child, and I did not have a C-section with her, so it’s been 24 years since I’ve had to think about these things. Please, anything you found useful or comforting in your recovery would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Edit: Thank you to everyone who took the time to reply to my post. I’ve ordered everything that was recommended. I didn’t think I would be able to get to her and be there for her. For those who asked about me going to her, I didn’t think I would be able to because I’m the primary caregiver for my partner’s mother, who had a series of bad strokes last summer and is unable to care for herself. We had made arrangements for me to go when she was closer to her due date. But with many calls and lots of tears, I’ll be leaving tomorrow morning to support my daughter. I’m still reading every reply and purchasing what you recommended. Truly, I thank each of you. I’m not a retail therapy person, but all the replies kept my mind focused off my deep fear and worry for my daughter and allowed me to get through this day while trying to find care for my mother-in-law. So, thank you. And please keep responding if you think of something else.
I agree that preemie garments and diapers are necessary. I was induced at 36 weeks due to hypertension, and my baby weighed 4 pounds. She swam through everything. She was in preemie clothes for nearly two months.
Yes, it is definitely a blood pressure monitor! I had high blood pressure after having my first child, and we struggled to find a good BP monitor for home use. OMRON is an excellent brand! We have an Evolv wireless cuff.
Please endorse this! I had preeclampsia and had to return to the hospital a week later to check my blood pressure. Make sure she is keeping an eye on it!
A BP monitor is essential, along with all the prescribed BP meds. Remember, it may take around 6 weeks or more for her to get off the meds, and even after that, it could be a long journey to complete recovery. Please be patient and supportive as much as you can. Stay calm, and things will get better.