Eating during labour?

[sunkist33]

What does everyone plan on eating during labour? Protein bars and Gatorade?
I was thinking of bananas (don't know why!)...and what is the deal with those
Preggo Pops? Will sucking on lollipops help keep your mouth loose/ relaxed during surges?

After the birth, we plan on ordering take-out (depending on the hour)~ steak or burgers

Stacy
37 weeks

[StrawberryFields]

I will have a bunch of little things around the house. Cheese, crackers, avocado, cream cheese, yogurt, eggs, toast, juice, fruit.

[guestmama9972]

I never want to eat during labor. Plus I throw up in transition and I just hate it. I stick with fruit juice instead (not as offensive the second time around) and pig out after baby arrives. I ate a huge breakfast burrito after dd#2 was born and I still remember how good it was!

It seems like protein would be good for labor, plus something with sugar in it to boost your energy. I have heard of having those honey sticks around for a quick sugar snack.

[StrawberryFields]

Originally Posted by mom2anna

I have heard of having those honey sticks around for a quick sugar snack.

Oh yeah I forgot about honey! When I got to the end of my labor with ds, right before we transferred, I was so out of gas and the midwives started spooning honey into me to boost my energy. It was actually on my list of required supplies and I will have some in the house this time, too.

[applecore]

I don't like to eat in labor either. After my water broke w/ dd, we needed to go vote (last presidential election), and then went to breakfast after. Well, hard labor kicked in right about the time my food arrived, and I didn't even touch it. I'm sure that if I had longer labors I would need to eat at some point since I'm hypoglycemic, but the thought of actually doing so is repulsive to me. I think yogurt might be tolerable since no chewing is involved.

[nolonger]

I haven't thought about it much, but bananas do sound good. Probably lots of fruit and dd will have some ideas at the time if my appetite needs to be pampered.

My freezer is pretty much full, as are most of my canning jars and my cabinets are overflowing with dry goods. it's been months since I've used the grocery store for anything besides seasonings, fresh fruit, herbs/homeopathics, and satisfying cravings.

[Dea]

HA! I was going to start the same thread! I was thinking also about having some homemade chicken soup simmering. But after labour is hard to decide, shepards pie? beef stew?
I also want to make sure I have a spread of stuff for the other people there, I want to make sure they're nourished and happy too.

[the elyse]

i bought a bunch of orange vitamin water on sale the other day. with dd i ate a footlong sub so who knows what i'll want this time around. i know i'm going to want to eat ice (yes, i'm still craving it...despite the liquid chlorophyll) so i'm thinking i'll have dh go buy a bag from sonic because it's SO YUM.

[GreenRose]

I was talking to midwife about this the other day.. she said no one ever wants the dry stuff during labor (crackers/protein bars etc) and that yogurt.. frozen fruit pops... bananas... honey.. were all good. And of course, a big meal afterwards! I'm going to get all of the above and hope something sounds good on the day..

[the elyse]

oh! and i'm going to have a bunch of frozen grapes in the freezer too.

[mama_nym]

Smoothies!!! I have a container of organic vanilla yogurt in the freezer along with frozen peaches, mangoes, strawberries and bananas so that dh and/or the midwives can make me peach/mango or strawberry/banana smoothies depending on what I'm in the mood for.

I can't EAT during labor, but I can drink, so smoothies are a good choice.

I'll also be making my own electrolyte drink since I can't stand commercial ones like Recharge:
2 cups water
2 cups apple juice
1-2 fresh squeezed lemons
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

I'll make this up ahead of time (possibly later today!), without the water. I'll freeze some into cubes and also freeze a couple bottles half full with the drink. I'll put the cubes in a container and dh can use them to mix up a pitcher of the drink (just add water!) and earlier in labor when I'm in a solitary mood, I can take the bottles out of the freezer and fill them with warm water and shake and will be all set for a while.

[Jlcampbellkidz]

Food, is so important, but it can be in a liquid form. My favorite is frozen fruit smoothies. Add protien if you like. and I enjoyed frozen grapes with my summer baby. I agree about solid foods. You may want it durring labor but the likelyhood of being able to actually get over the smell and eat it is slim. Labor makes most people nautious.

Things I keep in my doula bag.

Honey Sticks (can usually find at a healthfood or coffe shop)
Suckers ( You may feel hungry but not be able to stomach food) this is a great alternative because it gives a taste and gives some sugar for that extra boost.
Gum (easy to chew, takes little or no concentration)
peppermints (supposed to help with nautia and has sugar)
Peanut butter crackers (great for Dad, doula or kids present and great energy boost for mom, following delivery)


I always want some take out of some sort after delivery. I have already told my husband what I want after this delivery. I want a California Club sandwich from Jasons deli with their fresh fruit, and a bowl of tomato basil soup. It makes my mouth water right now just thinking about it.

[LoveChild421]

apples, apple juice, gatoraide, water....those were the only things I wanted when I was in labor with ds1 and that was a 20 hour labor! I'm thinking watermelon and canteloupe for this one though...

I want Pad Thai after the birth...

[kathywiehl]

Pad Thai after the birth sounds wonderful!!!!

These are all great tips!

[Gunter]

here's what i are last time:

spaghetti for lunch and enchiladas for dinner (which i threw up all through labor), drank lots and lots of water

soon after birth: i ate chocolate chip banana bread, biscuits and vegetarian gravy, lots of juice and water

i went from being vegetarian then to vegan now. but all of those foods still sound so good to me. especially the choc banana bread right after birth. it even smelled yummy all through my house. my best friend/doula is an amazing cook so i think we'll have lots of yummy food...maybe i should make her a list!