Hospital Bag - realistic list

[snowchick1977]

I was wondering if anyone could post a realistic list of what they NEEDED in their hospital bag, for a first birth.

The lists online seem a bit long, I am just wondering what was vital to you.

I am planning to breastfeed, all being well.

I'd be grateful also for people to post what they took but didnt need/was a waste of time.

Thanks in advance.

I used pretty much everything I took:
Breast pads
Nursing bra
Maternity pads- take 2 packs
Nightie x 1
Pjs/ trackie bottoms and nursing vest x 1- felt more comfy walking around the ward with bottoms on!
Towel- check hospital if they supply them
Body wash and 2 in 1 shampoo decanted into small bottle
Phone and charger
Slippers
Flipflops- cheap £1 Primark pair to use in shower
Antibac wipes
2 basic pillows- hospital ones are not enough/comfy. We left them there.
Pack of Primark pants Size bigger than you are
Witch Hazel in a spray little bottle to spray on bits.
A purse full of 20 pound coins- parking- check if you need to pay. Drinks from coffee shop and tv card if you stay in whilst in early labour and bored!

This all fitted in a Primark weekend bag.
I also took a little rucksack full of food and cold drinks. My labour was long and snacks helped.

Ooh and straws for the drinks so someone can hold it if you can't. I hope that helps. Tbh everyone has different needs and wants so go with whatever you want to take. Obviously pads and clothes are essential but the rest is up to you really.

I didn't use the magicool spray- I didn't get hot.

Baby's bag is much easier I thought!

Couple of changes of clothes (t shirts / leggings)
Always ultra rather than maternity pads.
Wash things & toothbrush
Books/magazines
Phone
Camera
Snacks & bottle of water

If you are in hospital overnight on the ward, you can always have DH bring you extra clothes the next day.

Camera
toothbrush
baby clothes & nappies
trackie bottoms& baggy t thirt
pads and big knickers
phone & list of people to tell news to
drinks
hairbrush
favourite soap/shower gel to feel human afterwards

thats it really!

prolificwillybreeder (love that name!) has pretty much got it spot on! I did 2 bags too - one for me, one for baby (hubbys are pretty useless at rifling through everything to find stuff, so it makes it so much easier if you keep your stuff & babies separate). Also, masses of snacks for hubby - my first labour was looooong and I refused to let my poor husband leave the room to go to the vending machine, so the midwives managed to rustle up a cheese ploughmans for him & he breathed smelly pickled onion breathe over me for about 12 hours....gross. All he wanted was chocolate, crisps etc so put a stash in your bag for him too (so he doesnt eat all your stash!)
Oh, do remember a camera to take newborn snaps... we've got gorgeous ones of our babies being weighed etc :)
Enjoy the birth, its fab!