Saw someone mention providing meals for the midwives?? - Page 3

[LifewithSage]

Thank you so much for this thread!  While my midwife doesn't specifically have anything in her birth supplies list or contract about providing food, I never would have thought about it otherwise!  I think we'll just put some yummy easy soup in the crock pot and everyone can just help themselves. 

[stephbrownthinks]

My midwife specified that we would provide food in our contract. I asked her about it and what kind of food we should have and she basically said that its not a big deal and not to worry about it. I think its just means that there should be something for the midwife/assistant to eat if they are stuck at the birth for a long time. Like some trail mix or chips and cheese, something to keep up energy. i don't think anyone is expecting a sit-down meal:) My doula also had something like that in her contract but she brought some snack foods too. From the time my labor picked up and everyone arrived until the time I birthed my son was only about 1.5 hours so we didn't need to worry about food. If the midwife had been there all day long I'd have wanted something for her to eat.

[birthgreeter]

very interesting thread.

 As a midwife, I do not put anything into the contract about the couple providing me food. I want the couple to have food and snacks that are available for the woman during labor.  A variety of things, because what might sound good to you, may sound terrible to you when in labor.

I also suggest that they have meals that are in the freezer for after the birth, enough for a couple of days.  That makes it easier for the husband.  Most families have friends, family that will bring in meals, but just in case-it is nice to have some prepared and easy to place in the oven to heat up.  

But for me-well, I do bring snacks or food along for myself.  I am a insulin dependent diabetic, on a strict diet.  So have to.

 But-sometimes (as someone already said) you can have the births from day to day, where your not home for a number of days-and if that happens-you do need to eat.  My snacks do not last for days.  Or if the birth is a long one, and I am there for hours or days-well I might need more food than what I brought along.  That is just practical. If I only had one client a month, then I would have enough packed all the time and be ready.  But I do not, so if I am at one clients home for 4 -12 hours, I will prob have the snacks ate up, and then if I get called right away to another birth, I will need food.  It is just practical.  I am human and need to eat!

 I do not ever expect anyone to be my hostess, and I would want to be sensitive to anyone who did not want me to eat in front of them. (I do not do this anyway, because I know smells can bother a laboring mom) Or any other issues-I would hope they would talk to me about that ahead of time. But-sometimes we -the birth team- might need food.  Simple things to snack on.  It does not have to be a big meal. Even eggs-are easy and filling.  I never ask the couple to cook for me.  

Most of the time they say-just help yourself.  I have only had one couple who did not want us to eat (we were there over 24 hours and was never offered anything-and by saying 'offered'-I mean 'not allowed'-they were not my client-and the other midwife had not talked to them about food for us-) so we worked with that mom all those hours-stayed up and all- and my snacks were gone, and my blood sugar was not doing good, I could not take my insulin or I would have been on the floor.  It did a number on me physically and after that-no more.  If I am to survive doing this ministry-I need to take care of me, and that means food available to me at your home -just in case.

I like the comment about having someone to doula the birth team and be the go-getter-etc.  I have had couples do this, and that job is really a great one to be filled.  It really is.  

The right person in that role, will be a bonus for everyone.  Including and esp the couple.    

By the way-I bring my own toothbrush!  I do have a small bag packed- in my auto at all times, with the essentials like that for myself, extra clothing, a pillow-blanket -personal stuff..any meds-snacks-even some jerky!!  

A place to sleep?  Yes-.that is important too.  (I choose to sleep in my car if needed-but then I serve in a rural area where it is safe to do so) but if I am in a town, one of the larger ones I might serve in, i would not want to be in the car and be at risk...so I might need a place to rest at your house if your labor is long.  

been an interesting thread!

[BabyFireFly]

Birthgreeter:

They told you that you were not allowed to eat anything in the home even after you were there so long?!?! I would feel SO WEIRD!!! Come assist birthing my baby....but don't you dare touch a single apple! BIZARRE-O!

[MegBoz]

Under 'supplies' My MW lists:

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Food & drink for MWs & attendants (not necessary, but since folks often ask us...)

Things we like to have to eat during labors include coffee & half & half, hummus or other veggie dips, hard-boiled eggs, salad, yogurt, peanut or almond butter, nuts, cheese, crackers or bread, dark chocolate, fruit, cereal.

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With the exception of veggies & salad, these are things I pretty much ALWAYS have in my house. (Well, I only have powdered half & half - I use skim milk in my tea.) Oh, and chocolate doesn't always stick around - ha! But we usually have some chocolate chips on hand at the least.

& most of these are things that last for weeks & weeks before spoiling - so no need to shop specifically for the MWs before birth.

As Ms Black wrote, it seems to me to only make sense to have some stuff on hand for MW & her asst. I'd be annoyed if they expected freshly-prepared meals (as opposed to frozen meals or things that are easy to just have on hand, like cheese & PB sandwiches), I'd also be annoyed if they expected freshly-prepared specific meals, like vegan. But the above is totally reasonable to me.