Labor Snacks?? « Back to Group Discussions

[LadyCatherine185]

What do you like to snack on during, or just after labor? I just want a few things on hand to keep in my "birth box" that I can munch on if I need to, and for directly after the birth to regain my strength! I am going to be dairy free, but all ideas welcome for others too!

The only things I can come up with so far--

trail mix

powerade (blue powerade is my "treat" drink when I am sick with a tummy bug or during/after labor!)

[Chloe'sMama]

They didn't let me eat with dd1 in laborious and with dd2 it was so fast I didn't eat anything either.
But, Lara bars are awesome!
Maybe home made popcorn?


I had a sandwich just after dd1s birth and had baked chicken after dd2s birth. I am planning on making a huge pot of lentils to have on for the birth team in case they need food. I was also thinking of making muffins in early laborious for my kids and the birth team.

[buko]

During really early labor, I'll probably eat whatever I'm hungry for that isn't too hard to digest, maybe including some protein.  During active labor, I am just guessing that what I ate during my last marathon (2011) will be good.  I found dried fruit and sport beans (link below) to be easiest for me to digest while training/running-- even easier than PowerGel-type products.  I'll probably also drink apple juice or some other non-acidic juice (in case it comes back up).

www.amazon.com/Jelly-Belly-Sport-Assorted-Flavors/dp/B002UNFJI8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357593784

Afterward (assuming it's open!), I know I am ordering a chopped liver sandwich and matzoh ball soup from the Jewish deli nearby.  I haven't restricted myself too-too much during pregnancy, but chopped liver (since it can't be "heated to steaming" as well as other deli meats) has been out for me.   

ETA: Oh, honey, too (during active labor)!  And DH is a genius at smoothie-making, so if I let him leave me for 5 minutes, maybe one of those as well.

[Teles]

I have three Kind bars in my bag, along with two litres of water and I'll probably add a bag of dried fruit. I am slightly worried that the nurses at the hospital will argue that I'm not allowed to eat, but I'm planning to stay home for as long as possible so I'll probably eat as much as I'm comfortable with while I'm here.
 

[LadyCatherine185]

I should probably add I'm expecting a quick labor (ds2 was 2 1/2 hours) so probably won't be eating DURING labor, but I want some snacks on hand for afterwards! I had some granola bars after DS2 but it didn't quite seem like enough.. I will most likely have muffins/pancakes etc and other things in the freezer, but still want something I can grab RIGHT.NOW. to keep in my birth box in my bedroom!

[odinsmama]

I'm having trail mix, fruit/nut bars and more electrolyte drinks.
Last time I had some leftover soup that was good but a little too rich.
I'll also have easy stuff that DH can throw in a bowl for me... Yogurt and granola, cream of wheat.

[loveandgarbage]

Same story as Chloe'sMama-- didn't eat during the 1st because I wasn't allowed to, and not during the 2nd either because it went so fast! I actually tried to eat at the beginning of that labor (had just come home from yoga class, was starving, and didn't think I was actually in "real" labor) but I found that the contractions were coming too fast and furious to get food in my mouth. If this one is fast, I don't imagine I'll eat anything either. But just in case I plan to have some quinoa in the fridge as well as cubed tofu. There also a natural gatorade-like drink I want to have on hand called Recharge. I want to order a case because it would also be good to have around during those first few days of nursing when I'm suddenly parched/dehydrated!

[loveandgarbage]

Oh and for after labor! Definitely going to go hog wild on some veggie burgers and fries like I did after DS2.

Is anyone planning to have food around for other people at a homebirth? In my mind I'll have set out a tray of veggies with dips, but that might be stretching it. I think it would be nice to at least have crackers and hummus for anyone to snack on.

[HouseofPeace]

i've never been much of an eater during labor (that said, both my homebirths were middle of the night) though i know i ate a bit here and there w/ my first b/c she was 12 hours.  i drink a LOT- especially kombucha.

will probably have hummus, veggies, cookies, chips (corn for kids and for dipping), and ice cream/sorbets on hand.  the first things for everyone else (mama's not cooking right now!) and sorbet and cookies (almond flour and honey sweetened) for me.  husband usually makes me a post-partum omelet w/ farm bacon.  something high protein.  and green juice.  

my last labor was 8-12:30 at night, so no major need for snacks then.  hoping for another one of those!  

Suddenly i want a big bowl of oven-roasted potatoes and a rare steak to celebrate!  hm- might have to plan ahead a bit...

[josie423]

I never have an appetite in labor, but for some reason always want grape juice to sip on during, so I always keep that on hand. I'm usually ravenously hungry after birth, so I don't focus much on snacks but meals rather.

[AnahataChakra]

I am going to have bananas because I know form the 1st trimester that if you throw up a banana it is not so bad(with some water)..I did not eat with either of my other two out of my choice I was too busy!  But my midwife this time insists that is why I had nausea and why with my 1st the active part took so long.  I am still unsure about this because lately I have been carb loading like woah!  I ate pasta last night and then for lunch today and honestly I could eat it for breakfast I am just soo wanting carbs.  I think there is something natural about avoiding food in labor(active at least).  What about you guys, what do you think?  I am always suprised when a mom can eat in active labor and not throw it back up(I am a doula so I have seen both happen).

Buko those sports jelly beans are great I will def have those on hand..

love and garbage speaking from the perspective of being a apprentice midwife for a few short months...if the midwives are smart(which they are of course) they will raid your kitchen soon after arriving at your house(don't worry about them) something that is helpful is to show them on your home visit(or label) food that is specifically for them or for labor.  So that they don't eat something you were saving for post-partum special or something.  Speaking from the perspective of having a homebirth before..the less you worry about the midwives the shorter your labor will be which will make everyone happy :)   I remember the midwives getting to my house with my 1st and I immediately jumped into the hostess role asking what I could do to make them cozy..did they want tea etc..  my contractions totally stopped!! I had to go into the bedroom shut the door and pretend that they weren't there and then it started up again.  But I knew if I was in the main room with them that I would not labor effectively so I shut myself in the bedroom. It was funny!
 

[odinsmama]

Yeah I've never had a desire to eat during active labor. Drinks yes, food no. The snacks I am planning will be for after the birth.

[typebug]

I posted part of this list in another thread yesterday but thought I'd move it here to join this one. I figure I won't eat in active labour but will be snacking in early labour as much as I can. Hoping hubby and MW will keep me drinking as much as I can later to avoid dehydration. 

Keep in mind it was 109 degrees here yesterday and at least 91 on a normal day before factoring in the 90+% humidity... so many things I'm thinking of are frozen or cold.

• Ice chips

• Filtered Water

• An electrolyte drink

• Non-citrus juice

• Non-citrus juice popsicles

• Coconut based ice cream

• Frozen blueberries

• Frozen grapes

• Lara bars

• Hard boiled eggs

• Whole wheat crackers with peanut butter

[loveandgarbage]

Originally Posted by AnahataChakra 

love and garbage speaking from the perspective of being a apprentice midwife for a few short months...if the midwives are smart(which they are of course) they will raid your kitchen soon after arriving at your house(don't worry about them) something that is helpful is to show them on your home visit(or label) food that is specifically for them or for labor.  So that they don't eat something you were saving for post-partum special or something.  Speaking from the perspective of having a homebirth before..the less you worry about the midwives the shorter your labor will be which will make everyone happy :)   I remember the midwives getting to my house with my 1st and I immediately jumped into the hostess role asking what I could do to make them cozy..did they want tea etc..  my contractions totally stopped!! I had to go into the bedroom shut the door and pretend that they weren't there and then it started up again.  But I knew if I was in the main room with them that I would not labor effectively so I shut myself in the bedroom. It was funny!
 

LOL, this would be me too, totally trying to play the hostess! I'll keep that all in mind, thanks.