Suggestions for food to bring to hospital?

[Perdita_in_Ontario]

This kiddo will be born at a local small hospital where the midwives have a lot of influence. One thing they encourage is bringing food and drink to the hospital - each birthing room as a fridge/freezer and microwave. They suggest Gatorade (will bring that and Emergen-C too) and food for during labour, and a decent meal for after the birth in case it it outside hospital cafeteria hours.

Any suggestions on snacks especially? What goes down well during labour? I was only allowed sips of Ginger Ale with my first - I'm so pleased that I discovered this hospital...

[bethanyclaire]

I think it depends very much on what YOU like! Is there something that you always like, no matter what? You never know what you'll want in labor and everyone is different. I prefer heavier food for early labor, which many mamas don't. The only thing I wanted last time was heavy pasta dishes... my mom was the same way. My mom knew labor was close with DD when I called her and asked her to bring over some of my favorite spaghetti that she makes. I'm making lasagna this time as soon as labor starts so I can have it afterwards. I'd imagine you'll be home during very early labor anyway, so you'll have choices then if you are hungry.

As far as DURING labor I do like lighter things with some protein:

Yogurt
Almonds
Trail Mix
Berries (I only wanted strawberries and blueberries with DD)
Toast w/peanut or almond butter
Whole grain bagels with cream cheese
Bananas
Milk


AFTER labor and birth I was RAVENOUS!! LOL! Last time, the hospital gave me this pathetic little turkey sandwich with 1 slice of turkey on white bread and I could have eaten a dozen of them! I don't generally eat red meat but I was craving it terribly! If I was going to the hospital again I'd bring:

Homemmade pasta in single-serve tupperware (lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, baked ziti, etc)
Whole grain bread w/lunch meats and cheese
A favorite meal that I make at home... like comfort food. For me, that would be mac & cheese or thick egg noodle goulash. I'd store it in single serve containers in the fridge and microwave it.

[Perdita_in_Ontario]

Originally Posted by bethanyclaire

I'd imagine you'll be home during very early labor anyway, so you'll have choices then if you are hungry.

I always forget that bit! With DD my waters broke with a gush and were meconium-filled and contractions started immediately so I had no time at home!

Thanks for the suggestions - those sound like they would work. Mac and cheese for after sounds divine...

[Belle]

I love fresh fruit in labor. Grapes and pineapple were wonderful during both my labors.

[lunita1]

I get nauseous during labor, so I didn't want food and I didn't want anything with a strong odor around me --- keep that in mind if you think you might be prone to that. Family members brought dh KFC to eat and it smelled horrid. Food for during labor was for dh and my kids. I was starving once my babies were born, and wanted something filling, familiar and pretty high in protein.

[Plummeting]

Yeah, definitely make sure that you don't have family members eating smelly food around you unless you're okay with it. My water also broke before labor and I had some yogurt and stuff brought to me, but by the time it got there my contractions had started and I only ate a few bites before it started grossing me out. So I'd say make sure that whatever you bring, also bring some items that are not smelly. lol

[lifeguard]

We brought food but I didn't eat any of it. Next time I will make sure I have plenty of stuff in liquid form 'cause I just couldn't bear to eat but would have benefitted from having something.