What are some good food and drinks for labor?

[logan&jordansmommy]

Just needing an idea of what to have on hand
Thanks!

[teachinmaof3]

Anything you normally eat
Carbs
Popsicles
Honey Sticks
EmergenC


Something quick or already prepared to eat after the birth.

[mama_at_home]

I had a hard time eating during labor. I remember nibbling on some apple slices, some toast some eggs and I drank water, orange juice and sprite. I hear the honey sticks are good but I have never tried them. I would say anything bland would be good for labor.

[twogreencars]

"Recharge" drink is supposed to be good at keeping your energy up! (available at healthfood stores)

I've heard trail mix is good

I've only had ice so far which could be why I've always been so exhausted ! NOT THIS TIME! ;o)

[punkprincessmama]

I snacked all through my last labor - pretzels, nuts, small bites of PB&J, annies cheese crackers. I drank lots of water. I think we had sprite on hand, but I didn't want it. I would say anything that you can eat a bite at a time so you can eat between contractions... although now that I think about it during my first labor all I wanted was oatmeal

[an_aurora]

I had big juicy green grapes, crackers and cheese, & apple slices and peanut butter.

[MommytoTwo]

I had a couple of Power Bars I had snuck into my bag at the hospital. Pretty sad that one has to sneak food. I also stole a tomato off someones food cart in the hall.

It was not enough food at all for such a long labor. Ridiculous.

[Peony]

I couldn't eat during both of my labors, 19 and 8.5 hours. I sure ate afterwards though. Carbs was my first choice, things like sandwiches, after dd2, a big bowl of corn and bean soup was yummy.

[rere]

Yogurt.I ate a whole big tub of yogurt.The idea of chewing didn't appeal to me.People just kept putting spoonfuls of yogurt in my mouth.It was nice.

[laohaire]

One big advantage of a home birth is you can have all kinds of food on hand. You never know what you're going to want (if anything).

Stuff I had on hand:
- Different types of juices (all 100% juice) such as apple, grape, etc.
- Spring water
- Tea
- Soup, which my mom made and had in the crock pot all day for anyone to help themselves at any time
- Fruit (not citrus, which is usually my favorite, but bananas and apples)
- Stock of usual types of food
- Ice cubes

I ended up drinking the tea (wanted it hot at first but then wanted it cold later), a little of the juice, and then, right before I pushed the baby out (after 6 hours of pushing) I had a little ziti and sauce - exactly what I wanted! (My mom couldn't make it fast enough for me! Good thing it only took 10 minutes). It gave me the energy to finish the second stage (I was really lagging at that point).

I expected to vomit during labor, but I never did (or felt the urge). I had decided I would eat whatever I wanted and not worry about vomiting.

[Eaglevoice]

I drank tons of Recharge and water. I ate watermelon and canteloupe, I liked them really cold. I also ate Luna Bars and homemade cookies.

[mendomidwife]

I agree with the above......Recharge, melon, yogurt, popsicles.....
It's always good to make some frozen things ahead of time....cookies, soup, lasgna...things you or your partner can stick in the oven after a long night.
Carla

[MsElle07]

Non-citrus juice
Granola
Yogurt
Berries

[SunRayeMomi]

i sucked down water and Vitamin Waters

i tried to eat yogurt but it turned out i was transitioning so i couldn't !!

[SusannahM]

I ate what I would normally eat. I even had chilie for lunch . I rarely ever get nauseous, so I was pretty sure I wouldn't (and it ended up I never did).

[Snowdrift]

I had all kinds of stuff ready but turned out that I throw up in labor. A lot.
For the last ten hours.

So my answer is whatever is gonna be least horrible throwing up. Yogurt is good. Grape juice really is good. I just went with gatorade despite artificial colors, although my midwife thought it was a little strange. Hey, I like the stuff!

Yeah, the whole chewing thing got way too complicated. Ditto with people just putting spoonfuls of yogurt in my mouth. I'd actually choose the sweetened but low-fat ones--to me that's a good combination of easy to digest plus calories, and the more sour taste of regular yogurt would have not worked for me in labor.

[LoveChild421]

all I wanted during the 20 hours of my labor was an apple and some apple juice. About 2 hours after the birth I was craving a grilled cheese.

[cheeseRjedi]

I couldn't really keep anything down in labor, but I had bits of watermelon, popsicles, vegetable soup, and lots of Recharge.

It hasn't been mentioned here, but having a bottle with a straw is extemely helpful! Someone can just hold it out for you and you don't have to worry about it.