Food and Drink to have around for labor?

[mama.rye]

What are you planning to have on hand for energy snacking, staying hydrated?

I have lots of water, of course, but some vitamin water to for a sugar and electrolyte boost - my doula brings emergen-c too...

As far as food - I have bananas for potassium, and some TLC granola bars for carbs. Maybe some almonds for protein?

I have never done this before - is there something preferable to have on hand? I assume carbs with protein is good for energy? But obviously nothing heavy...

I was going to bake some energy muffins, made with fruits and nuts - more for hubby and dula than myself though.

[Marcimama]

This is what I have on hand currently, I may run to the store for other thing though.
- Sport drinks (I usually 1/2 with water)
- Miso soup
- Fresh fruit popcicles

I usually don't need to do much eating in labor, but mine aren't long. I try to eat a decent meal during early labor and then just keep hydrated during active labor.

[NDFanatik]

I've heard some women like to have orange juice around bc it keeps thier energy up... but then some women can't stand the acidity of it during labor either. Maybe ahve some on hand just in case??

I'm gonna get granola bars, try to eat some pasta in VERY early labor for the high carbs (it'd rock if I went into labor tonight bc I ate 1/2 a pot of spaghetti, he-he), some energy/protien bars, maybe some fruit. I don't know, lol. I'm just gonna wing the crap out of it and pack in as much protien & carbs as I can think of, lmao!!

[janasmama]

I have some Recharge (it's a healthy sports drink without HFCS or added sugar)

I also have some apples. I'd like to get some miso soup also. I usually don't like to eat much...maybe some grapes. Pizza always seems to be something I'll eat so maybe I should go pick up a couple CPK or Amy's pizzas.

[lovemysunshine]

I was just thinking of posting this. I'm not overly concerned since I'll be at home anyway, but will pack a few things in my just-in-case bag that are non-perishable (probably granola bars, emergen-c, what else?).

Last time around with DS, I really wanted chicken noodle soup, so definitely some soup (miso sounds good and we already have that here); I think it was the broth that appealed to me. I also ended up eating peanut butter on toast since I couldn't think of what sounded good to me. The mw assistant made it and I had to choke some of it down; it was way too dry though and hard to eat. I also had emergen-c and apple juice. My labor with him was 16 hours total, but I ate those things in the last 6 hours or so (after mw arrived).

Personally I will avoid too much acidic food as mentioned because I've thrown up during transition both times and that sounds like it would be torture.

[lasciate]

Just water. I didn't want to eat or drink anything when I was in labor last time, so I don't feel the need to pack anything special.

[ibusymomto5]

I was pretty nauseous with this labor, but I was able to nibble on a Cliff bar, like 3 tiny bites, drink Gatorade and water, and took a couple spoonfuls of honey. The honey was the most disgusting thing to get down at the time, but it gave me the best boost of energy.

[Dahlea]

I am planning on Gatorade, Annie's cheddar bunnies, and granola bars. The bunnies are my comfort food =D Not the healthiest, but I can always get them down!
Like others, I'm going to try and eat a nice, healthy, carby meal in early labor.

[birthdancedoula]

I just picked up my Recharge for labor yesterday. I've always had a bunch of that on hand.

I also made bite-sized ice cubes out of my pregnancy tea. In the past I've made popsicles with RRL tea and may still, but dh bought me a bag of yummy locally made natural popsicles yesterday that might be enough. I've always loved popsicles in labor.

As far as food...in one of my labors I craved a big green salad and in another I downed an entire Amy's veggie pizza. In another I drank miso soup. It really depends. Have a bunch of stuff on hand that's easy for your birth team to grab and fix for you. You'll never know what you'll be in the mood for.

[farmerjess]

So far, I just bought a case of cans of coconut water. It has lots of electrolytes and is one of my favorite treats. I think I will be able to drink that better than a sports drink.

I think I will get some granola bars and a frozen pizza. Those 2 sound great.

[mommysaurus]

Well I usually don't want to eat while in labor...my last few labors were pretty quick and I usually started labor in the morning so I had something quick to eat. I think my last baby I had toast and oj. So far on hand for this labor:

Recharge (tropical flavor) and ICE (gotta have it with ice)
yogurt
granola bars
rrl tea
honey

I think i'm going to get some soup and now that I"ve read about cheddar bunnies I have to have some on hand!!!

[TaraRae82]

Great thread! I've been thinking about this and meant to ask my Doula about it. I do remember her and my OB saying that carbs that are easily digestable are best. So, things like crackers. Protein is good because it helps the body retain the energy from carbs but remember that it's NOT a source of energy. Only fat and carbs are sources of energy.

I think I'll have some Goldfish crackers around, honey sticks, flavored water (for the cals/sugar/electrolytes). Not sure what else. :

[maizy]

Originally Posted by Marcimama

This is what I have on hand currently, I may run to the store for other thing though.
- Sport drinks (I usually 1/2 with water)
- Miso soup
- Fresh fruit popcicles

I usually don't need to do much eating in labor, but mine aren't long. I try to eat a decent meal during early labor and then just keep hydrated during active labor.

This is what I had planned to eat too. Although not sure what type of sports drink. Are there natural alt's to say gatorade?

I've also been baking up a storm for everyone in attendance. Cookies, brownies, etc.

[Honey693]

Water, honey straws, and blue Gatorade (I know it's not the healthiest thing, but I love it). It has to be the blue too, no other color.

[Amber Lion]

Originally Posted by maizy

Are there natural alt's to say gatorade?

Recharge is a great one! Got lots of flavors too.

My midwife specified a couple bottles of recharge, miso soup, yogurt, and anything else I want that is like comfort food but easy to get down and digest. I plan on eating a pretty big meal early labor though! (And making Dh eat one too!) I've seen too many women (and their partners!!) get exhausted early b/c they were too excited to eat when they had an appetite.

[kayleesmom]

taking notes

[calendulamama]

Organic fruit yogurt totally got me through my last labour. It was the perfect mix of sugar, protein and fat to keep me going. Juice too- but the yogurt especially. My fridge is well stocked for this time!

[leurMaman]

With DS's 16 hour labor I managed to eat some peanut butter sandwhich with honey. I also keep honey sticks on hand for labor (you can buy a pack of organic honey sticks at Trader Joe's - I give them out to Bradley students in class). I love to have the Vitamin Waters on hand during birth - my favorite is XXX and Dragonfruit. Otherwise, I didn't really eat too much once I actually got to labor. Be stocked for postpartum breastfeeding hunger though! Nuts, yogurts, veggie sticks and hummus, etc....cause you'll want to constantly snack for a while.

[nurnur]

just popping in from nov ddc, I discovered coconut water or sometimes called coconut juice....it is amazing stuff, I plan on having this to drink during labor...well as an option