Labor food?

[danotoyou2]

I'm making all my lists of what to pack and what to bring... so what foods do you plan to snack on, or what foods did you find helpful?

So far I just have the usual: crackers, fruit and gatorade. I'd like to have some more variety though! Oh, and I plan on bringing my favorite: chocolate covered cranberries.

I was never nauseous with labor with DS, so I don't think it'll be a problem this time.

Thanks!

[Alohamelly]

We're not allowed to have food in the hospital here. : But I am planning to bring plenty of water and Recharge.

[SeekingJoy]

Just a contrarian's perspective, but what will the hospital do if you do bring food/eat? I promise they won't toss you out. Can you just call it a snack for your support people and "share" if/when you get hungry? You may not, but it is miserable to want food and not be able to get it.

Check out this article about access to food in labor and its effect on mamas.
http://www.obgynnews.com/article/PII...03634/fulltext

I'm making chicken noodle soup and have fruit and homemade juice popscicles on hand. Granola bars sounded really good to me earlier, but no so much now. Regardless, I will pack them.

[Twinklefae]

Have you asked your doctor about eating during labour? Technically, our hospital doesn't support it, but my doc said it wouldn't be a problem "just bring something you won't mind throwing up later!".

I think they won't feed you (ie. provide food for you) but I can't really see them stopping you if you start to snack. I mean, if you are hungry you are hungry!

[josybear]

i brought a few of those organic energy bars with nothing but fruit in them. they were a great booster. then there's the iced capp dh got me while i was labouring... i only got to drink 1/3 of it and i threw it up while pushing, but it tasted sooo good!

[Emma's_Mommy]

Originally Posted by Alohamelly

We're not allowed to have food in the hospital here. : But I am planning to bring plenty of water and Recharge.

i wasn't either......but do you think that stopped me from eating during my 3 day induction??

I just packed snacks in my bag and would pass off whatever i was eating if a nurse came in:

[dantesmama]

I didn't feel like eating anything while I labored with DS. The hospital wouldn't have "allowed" it anyway - : - I even had to hide my bottle of water when a nurse came in. This time we're birthing at home so I can have dp run to the kitchen for anything I may want. I plan on having soup, crackers, and nuts on hand.

[mamamoo]

I can't believe they don't encourage women to eat, especailly in a long labor. YOu need for to make energy to get through labor. I would hide it if you have to but have it on hand in case you need it.

I don't really plan on having anything in particular. Lots of ice and cold fruit, and whatever else sounds goof, but I'll be at home, so someone can make me whatever I feel like having.

I know the last time I was in labor I asked someone to make me something and I ate like one bite, so I might not want to eat, but I'm glad I have the option if I need something.

I want to plan something really tasty for afterwards though, that is when the food is sooo good!!

[danotoyou2]

You guys with the hospital births... EAT!!! Don't listen to the nurses. What will they do? Throw you out?!

I'm going to be birthing in my MWs office, or at a hotel, so it'll be a 'homebirth' without the home. That means I have to pack everything. Ugh. But, we'll have a microwave and fridge, so it makes preparing foods a little easier.

Afterwards we'll be staying in a hotel for a couple days (also with a kitchenette), so we'll probably end up with take-out.

[mama2walden&luna]

I'm taking fruit, cheese, crackers, protein drinks, smart water . . . . popcicles sound really good. I think I'll make some out of freshly juiced grapes and peaches and pears. mmmmmmm. All that really sounds good to me is cold stuff, mostly fruit. But maybe I should bring something hot in case I want it, like a really brothy soup. My midwife said that whatever sounds good to me is fine.

[twilight girl]

The reason hospital won't "let you" eat is in case they have to rush you to emergency surgery.

I agree that it is ludicrous to prohibit a woman from eating when undergoing such intense physical exertion. I also agree with the rest of the PPs, take your food anyway. The hospital certainly can't tell you that you're not allowed to have food for your support people! Then you eat it when they're not looking Or eat it when the are looking, what the hell are the going to do? Remember, the hospital is a SERVICE that YOU are PAYING for. They are not the law or the police or anything.

[cornpicker]

DH thinks I'm nuts, but I bought a few packets of Gu, which we used a lot during marathon training. It is like a little packet of frosting. We'll see if they come in handy! I also bought Gatorade.

[Alohamelly]

I don't know what the hospital will do if I bring food. Maybe I'll bring a few snacks anyway.

[kristen1978]

Yes, yes, PLEASE bring and eat food at hospital labors and births!! Starvation (literally) and exhaustion are your biggest enemies in labor! The IV is NOT a substitute for nutrition, and women DO suffer when they don't eat when necessary in labor -- and they often have the unfavorable outcomes to show for it! If you do nothing else (if you let them run the rest of the show) at the very least, EAT!

[birdiefu]

Ugh, when I had my DS I wasn't allowed any food and I labored (induced) for 24 hours. It was horrible and I got horrendous heartburn and weak from such an empty stomach. I will definitely be allowing myself to eat if I want with this baby, planning on some PBJ (light on the PB) since that works well for me even with an upset tummy. Straight carbs leave me hungry again too quickly and something too sugary and some fruits can make me nauseas if I eat them by themselves.