labor food suggestions?

[cactuspear]

We've been talking about what to put in the labor bag and the subject of snacks came up.  I have an idea of what I might like, but since this is my first baby, some suggestions would help a lot.  What worked for some of you?  Should I be thinking protein, carbs, both? I know I'll get hungry, but I'd rather not puke (or puke very much).

Here are my first thoughts:

crunchy Luna bar

lemony clear sports drink

vanilla soy pudding

mints

What do you think?

[kitkat5505]

During my last labor I really wanted bread, or at least carbs. The closest thing my midwife has was graham crackers so I ate a bunch of those. Nothing else sounded appealing. During my other 2 labors I don't remember wanting anything. This time I'm planning to bring a banana, Special K bars, and a PB&J sandwich and sneak snacks if I feel hungry.

[aidenn]

I wasinto string cheese or Alouette-style cream cheese, ham slices, Ritz crackers, and cinnamon applesauce.  Basically a homemade Lunchable.  :)

[Jenne]

I've not btdt but maerynpearl suggested doing fruit and cheese plate which sounds just fantastic to me. I've been trying to make mental notes recently of foods and drinks that have tasted just superbly good to have on hand leading up to labor, during labor, and immediately afterward. Some ideas I've had:

Cinnamon toast
English muffins
Lemonlime soda with pomegranate syrup and coconut water
Baked brie with honey, almonds, and apples on toast
Beets, apples, goat cheese
Donut holes from a local shop
Toasted bagel with cream cheese

Yeah, so evidently carbs, some easy to digest (for me!) protein and fat...

Jenne

[BaileyB]

I would highly recommend carbs! Although during the whole 24 hours I was at the hospital + labor (I was induced) + the next day I only ate a roast beef sandwich from Arby's and a small amount of hospital mashed potatoes. I lost all my appetite as soon as I received the labor drugs.

Adding on: And orange juice! It tasted so good the next day.

[ASusan]

Frozen grape drink boxes. LOVELY. My doula held it for me while I sipped. WONDERFUL after the birth.

My doula also went out for  a pint of Ben and Jerry's and brought it to my room about 4 hours after the birth. DH had about 2 spoonfuls, and I inhaled the rest. It was slightly melted, so it was like a thick milkshake. The best.

[aidenn]

Jenne, that soda/juice concoction sounds AMAZING.  I've got a giant bottle of pomegranate syrup from two Arab dishes I make that use it and this is the perfect way to use some of it up.

I also second baked brie.  With anything.  Though this makes me want to make brie en croute in early labor and snack the whole way through.  I also love the bagel + cream cheese, except the Publix here has frozen bialys and I love mine with cream cheese and sesame seeds.  Now I am hungry!!
 

Originally Posted by Jenne 

I've not btdt but maerynpearl suggested doing fruit and cheese plate which sounds just fantastic to me. I've been trying to make mental notes recently of foods and drinks that have tasted just superbly good to have on hand leading up to labor, during labor, and immediately afterward. Some ideas I've had:

Cinnamon toast
English muffins
Lemonlime soda with pomegranate syrup and coconut water
Baked brie with honey, almonds, and apples on toast
Beets, apples, goat cheese
Donut holes from a local shop
Toasted bagel with cream cheese

Yeah, so evidently carbs, some easy to digest (for me!) protein and fat...

Jenne

[mcs]

last time i took things like energy bars and orange juice- i too remember the oj tasting really-really good.

i did throw up a lot though, and oj is not so good for that....

i could imagine that grahm crackers would suit me too. i don't think that i could handle something really complex.

a little off topic, but what i am really looking forward to is eating after the birth. my heartburn/reflux is killing my desire to eat anything.

[BaileyB]

I'm looking forward to what I can eat afterwards, too. We bought half a lamb and it is sitting in the freezer but I am afraid to make any of it because I have such an opposition to any meat other than pork for some reason, and I don't want to waste it. Also, my nesting instinct has transformed into turning 2 freezers packed full of cooked and frozen meals. So basically, since we probably won't be eating out anytime after soon the birth, I have blown threw a large amount of our grocery budget from the nesting, and the fact that we live 10 miles from town in MN in the winter , I for-see a lot of Netflix and reheated homemade frozen meals in our future in the next 3 months or so. haha. + +

[homemademom]

Juice and bready, carby things are what I usually crave in early labor. During more active labor, I'll take juice and gatorade.  Last time I gave birth, I had a big plate of eggs and toast afterward. . .MMMMM!

[OkiMom]

Just a heads up, you might not WANT to eat during labor. With my first they sent me home from the hospital (they were convinced it was "false labor" even though the contractions were 5 minutes apart and I was almost 5cms) and told DH to get me something to eat and it would "stop the false labor". So, DH stopped by a fast food place and got me a breakfast sandwich, it made me so sick since I didn't want to eat it but did for him. With my second I absolutely refused to eat when he tired to get me to eat breakfast.. I'm glad, I would have probably gotten sick off of it too..

This time I'm packing some granola bars, small hard candy and crackers. I figured its things DH will eat if I don't but if I want them they are there. I don't think I will, eating and labor don't seem to mix for me, but it will be nice to have something for him to "sneak" me if I do want something.
 

[finnegansmom]

The thought of eating in labor is gross to me.  I've had a long labor and a shorter labor and didn't eat anything either time. 

I know some people do but you might not want to at all. 

I did have food available for after though, because I was RAVENOUS.  And I stocked up on vitamin waters as well because I was really thirsty and craved those after the birth.

[Koalamom]

DDC crashing.  I ate yogurt mixed with chia seeds, and from the seeds, I was pumped and had so much energy when it came time to pushing.  My midwife commented that she never saw such energy in labor that she now recommends chia to her patients.

[Twinklefae]

I was another one who really didn't want to eat in labour, but I had to (45 hours).  Granola bars are good for choking down when you're nauseous, and anything you associate with 'comfort food'.  (I'm probably going for some PB&J on white bread.  I know I'll be able to eat it no matter what.)  The hospital provided broth and popsicles were also welcome.  (I drank broth in the shower at one point - the height of luxury! )

Lots of drinks, tempting drinks.  I got SO dehydrated.

[bluebirdmama]

I didn't eat much in my labours either - I didn't really feel like it...but I also had short labours so it wasn't as vital that I do so.

Both of my previous births were summer ones so I had watermelon and fruit popsicles (the mashed up fruit ones, not juice ones). A friend of mine also had frozen grapes for her labour which I thought was a great idea. I kind of intellectually like the idea of miso but have never had it during labour. I'm sure carbs are super important for a longer labour but I couldn't imagine eating something dry or heavy...although, you never really know what might appeal in the moment!!

I had a bowl of baby potatoes with butter, dill and loads of sour cream right after my dd was born and it was heavenly!!

[pixiekisses]

I've written down to get some "Eat natural" bars I like, almonds, dried peach snack, and maybe some hard candy. I might bring some grapes too.

Now to drink, besides water, I don't know. I don't really want to drink juice, and I never drink any energy drinks, so I have no idea if there is any I like out there. Maybe a smoothie? No idea.

[meg007]

I'd heard that sporty energy gel called Gu could be good, and honey sticks.  So I got some Gu yesterday to try the flavors to see if I even like it, because I don't want to find out I hate it during labor!  ha!  I liked the strawberry banana one and will try the chocolate mint one a little bit later today.  I like reading all your ideas, everyone!

[OkiMom]

I was thinking about this (actually thinking maybe I should freeze some grapes) but its cold here right now Im wondering if something cold to eat would be a good thing. If anything I feel colder in labor than I do regularly, with my first they ran down to the next floor and got heated blankets because I was shaking I was so cold. Hot soup might be a good thing but I really think that might be pushing what is "allowed" according to hospital policy.

[Twinklefae]

Okimom could you get a doctor's note for an exemption?  With DS I had a note written on my doctor's prescription pad saying that I was allowed to eat in labour.

[pixiekisses]

Wait, what do you mean "allowed to eat in labour"?

Aren't you allowed to eat in labour at US hospitals?! Seriously? You've got to be kidding? Why not?

I've packed almonds, my "Eat natural" bars and dried pineapple so far. I was thinking I'd get some Lovehearts because they help against the heart burn, and a natural "energy drink", more of a juice-ish thing I figured out that I like.

Oh, and I packed crushed flaxseed, to add to yoghurt, after birth. (Just to be "proactive".)