snack ideas for labor

[swl73]

Looking for ideas for good foods/snacks for labor...We're birthing at a birthing center and I want to bring food that will give me energy and stamina throughout labor! I happen to be vegan so I'm especially looking for vegan ideas...any suggestions?

[MommaGreenBean]

I was going to suggest honey, but you're vegan. I'd go with something easy to digest and that doesn't look bad coming back up should that happen. Diluted fruit juice? I'm not sure if molasses would work the same way...

[PreggieUBA2C]

I didn't eat at all during my labour, but I will have some things ready if I want to this time.

I would suggest Walker's Oat Cakes; they are a bit like sawdust at first until you're used to them, so start eating them now if you'll consider having them around- and the Highland ones are easier to take at first than the fine oat cakes, ime, but the fine ones are easier to chew and will dissolve in your mouth whereas the highland ones are baked with whole cracked wheat and require lots of chewing. I am actually officially addicted to them since I finished off the first box a few months ago Oh, the highland style has wheat and 1/2g sugar per cake; the fine oatcakes have no sugar or wheat, just oats, baking soda, sea salt and vegetable oil. They are not organic, and I really wish they were, but our choices are limited up here. Anyway, I can eat a few of those anytime and feel back up to speed again, and they are great for settling my stomach.

I'll also have lots of organic juice and pure vitamin C around. I really doubt I'll want anything else. Avocadoes might be a nice high-energy fruit to cut open and take by the spoonful- also so soothing to the stomach. Properly steeped Yerba Mate- full of nutrients, mild- not recommended for pg, but you'll be done by then and the reason is that it suppresses appetite by giving so many nutrients without caloric intake- dangerous for pg and nursing, but you won't be in danger at that stage and as long as you also take food if you are actually hungry, the yerba mate could just carry you through until you're done.

Just some ideas I've had kicking around on the same subject. I hope you have a wonderful birth!!!

[ASusan]

One thing I loved immediately after delivery was frozen grape juice boxes from TJ's. I couldn't get enough of them! Because they were still frozen - 6+ hours after we got to the hospital, my doula spooned the slushy out to me. I think I had 3 of them after the birth.

[prettymom]

Keep it simple. I know some women are hungry during labor, but I didn't feel much like eating. It's like when you are running a race or in a hard aerobics class, food just doesn't sound very good. I would suggest freezing Gatorade to eat like a popsicle. Have some fresh cut fruit on hand and maybe some simple crackers.

[XanaduMama]

I didn't want to eat in labor either, but I drank about 7 gatorades afterward. Definitely make sure you've got something on hand to rehydrate yourself! The frozen type sounds pretty amazing...

[Sileree]

Just a few suggestions:

-Vegetable broth
-Applesauce
-Crackers
-Bread with jam
-Fruit leather

[loraxc]

How about nuts? I ate some of those in labor. Lots of energy in a small package.

Also, yes, bring snacks! If you don't want 'em, your husband might! (Mine finished ALL our snacks in the end.)

[BlueStateMama]

In early labor (up until 4 cms or so) I was munching away on PB&J sandwiches and sitting on a yoga ball, watching Sex and the City DVDs. Good times...

Once I was further along I really wasn't hungry - at all. Eat earlier when you're hungry.

[veganjoy]

Here's my [vegan] labor food list:

For early labor, or if I'm feeling particularly hungry:
my favorite "chicken" ranch burger from a local vegan place
Thai papaya salad
pineapple gazpacho

For later:
smoothies
miso soup
fruit leathers
toast/crackers with peanut butter
agave sticks (like honey sticks, but with agave; Stash Tea makes them)
favorite fruit juices, both frozen into ice cubes and diluted with water
recharge

[swl73]

Thanks, everyone, for the great suggestions...I've added to our snack bag!

[avendesora]

I also wasn't hungry during labor.

But I was HUNGRY after the birth. My midwife doesn't recommend to bring snacks (she doesn't not recommend them, she just doesn't care either way), but she requires that I bring a meal for myself to have afterwards.

I do pack snacks for DH though.

aven

[Carlyle]

I puked up everything I tried to eat or drink during 40 hours of labor. But boy, I think one of the best meals I EVER have had was the miso soup after I gave birth!

[echospiritwarrior]

Well, for my labor snack DP started cutting up fresh fruit after I got in the birth tub. It sounded good at the time, but before he could slice a banana I didn't want it anymore because I was in transition! It ended up being a great post labor snack though

[silvermoonmyst]

I liked eating Jello and drinking Gatoraide when I was in labor.
I didnt eat much but my midwives kept me drinking near constantly. Always putting the staw in my mouth. It REALLY helped even though i had a really fast ( 3 hours) labor. After i gave birth I was starving. I delivered an 11 lb baby and i had room to eat finally hehe. Bring a big meal and drink OJ afterwords.

[~Boudicca~]

Make some strong raspberry leaf tea and sweeten it with agave, then put it in an ice cube tray or a popsicle mold.

Sorbet and miso soup are good too.

[MsElle07]

Cookies, specifically cookies like oatmeal or molasses. Muffins. Fruit juice. Nuts. Things that are easy to grab and are calorie dense. And then be prepared to be the most starving you've ever been in your life after the birth, and plan accordingly!