Snacks for l&d

vintagevix2016

I'm extremely curious what folks will be packing, food-wise, for l&d at the hospital. I was instructed to eat light before heading to the hospital and was told that hospitals often limit what you can eat once you're there. So what are you thinking of bringing for you and for your partner?

I have a tray of OJ popsicle and one of cranberry juice ready to go in the fridge that we'll be bringing in a small cooler. I told my husband that if ice chips were all I was going to be permitted to eat while in labor, then I'd at least make it interesting with some flavor. I'll probably make my husband a bag of trail mix this weekend and have him pick out some fruits and such to keep in the cooler.

adiaz132003

It really depends on the hospital as some will only let you have juice or ice.  I'd call and ask ahead of time, can't hurt right?  Of they let you bring snacks some good things to have is fruit cause it digests quickly or some nuts for protein.

waldropra

I'm having a rcs but some snacks I packed for afterwards are Luna bars, almonds, yogurt covered craisins, and Gatorade. 

NLewis1

My hospital gives out unlimited Popsicles. However, my OB has given me his blessing to bring snacks. He (along with several other OBs at my hospital clinic) believe it's very good for mom to eat during labor of she feels like she wants to, however since they cannot get the anesthesiologists on board, they can't change hospital policy. He told me "bring what you would like, just let me know that you are eating do I'm aware should the need for surgery arise". 

HeartLikeMine3

I was only allowed to eat ice chips even with a non complicated vaginal delivery. Also I packed some protein bars for energy I was starving right after birth and it was 1am didn't want my husband leaving me. I also had trail mix, goldfish and bananas. I didn't want to mess with a cooler.

mamabird24

I never brought anything that last two times, but I have chips, fruit snacks and some mammachia pouches in my bag just incase.  I couldn't eat before my c-sec obvs. but I didn't want anything to eat when I was in labor with my first which was vaginal, even threw up my dinner lol 

goldie987

My hospital has a clear liquids only policy during L&D so I would definitely check that you can bring the popsicles for yourself.  As far as food for H, allegedly the nurses at my hospital have a list of local places that deliver to the hospital lobby that we plan to utilize.  Less to worry about getting into the hospital bag and since I can't eat most take out food due to food allergies anyways, it's actually less of a craving for him to have a full meal than a snack that I know I could eat if it weren't for the hospital's limitations. 

mollie2383

I'm bringing  him trail mix, apples, protein bars and energy drinks.  I'm not bringing anything for myself.  Our hospital was pretty good about getting me food right away afterwards, but I don't know if that was just convenient timing last time.  OP Do you think you'll bring any other snacks for yourself for afterwards?  

vintagevix2016

GoldenmamaJ said:

My hospital has a clear liquids only policy during L&D so I would definitely check that you can bring the popsicles for yourself.  As far as food for H, allegedly the nurses at my hospital have a list of local places that deliver to the hospital lobby that we plan to utilize.  Less to worry about getting into the hospital bag and since I can't eat most take out food due to food allergies anyways, it's actually less of a craving for him to have a full meal than a snack that I know I could eat if it weren't for the hospital's limitations. 

Our hospital has a fantastic cafeteria with lots of variety and it has 24hr bistros and food stalls throughout the facility too. That's really cool that the nurses have a delivery list! I could totally see myself wanting something from outside the hospital after delivering.

cmac827

My birthing center allows you to eat whatever you want and has a fridge in each room. I'm bringing frozen fruit bars, powerade, protein bars, gummy worms, and gu.

AmberLiz99

I've never wanted to eat while in labor. My hospital has a snack area though for moms and dads, so we will have access to snacks, Popsicles and soda to keep dh awake  

alileecam

AmberLiz99 said:

I've never wanted to eat while in labor. My hospital has a snack area though for moms and dads, so we will have access to snacks, Popsicles and soda to keep dh awake  

Ditto. There was a "coach lounge" with free snacks and drinks for moms and dads and since I gave birth at 2 am, I wasn't hungry this time anyway. There was no lack of food during my stay--it's not something we worried about at all. 

MynaBird

I wasn't hungry during or after my delivery last time, or for several days afterward, so it didn't really occur to me to think of snacks this time. Last time I did pack some lollipops -- someone had told me that some hospitals with clear-liquids policies allow them during labor -- but I never broke into them. I think my husband bought himself a sandwich while I was in labor, and then after delivery the nurses in the mother-baby unit taught us how to take advantage of the meal plan to get extra meals for him.

Tawny87

I will be eating oatmeal, fruit, and a large glass of juice before I go in for induction Friday. I don't think I will bring anything to snack on as I am planning on vbacing hopefully and I spent 10 hrs throwing up Arby's I had ingested before my emergency c last time. I don't think birth and food is something my body handles well.

GinnyJ2012

I throw up during labor so I'll only eat what I don't mind seeing again. Typically simple carbs like pretzels or crackers. The last two times I've had oatmeal before going in, but nothing stays down. I'll bring H some protein bars and diet coke. 

xc1148

GinnyJ2012 said:

I throw up during labor so I'll only eat what I don't mind seeing again. Typically simple carbs like pretzels or crackers. The last two times I've had oatmeal before going in, but nothing stays down. I'll bring H some protein bars and diet coke. 

this is a real thing. keep this in mind if you decide to eat during early labor...you might end up seeing it again. Also you probably won't be hungry during the active labor phase. I brought granola bars, gatorade but I wasn't hungry at all.

kwife15

I got a go go squeeze style pouches but with fruit and chia seeds. Worked really well. Wanted to get Gatorade gel pouches too but didn't manage to buy them on time.

adiaz132003

I ate in early labor and just wasn't hungry after a certain point.  I had dinner about 7 hours before he was born with the exception of some apple pieces in between.  Afterwards I was so hungry but still not in the mood to eat so I had light things like strawberries then eventually had a protein bar.  They made me sit down and drink apple juice and a granola bar before I left cause my blood sugar dropped and I felt dizzy. (We went home 8 hours after birth). 

alitria

I packed stuff I like just because I expect to feel pretty picky for a day or two and wanted my "queasy foods" that I know are safe if I still feel like puking.  I have snack mix, protein drinks, electrolyte drink, a small bag of gummi bears and instant soup and oatmeal in cups.  The food is the hospital is pretty meh and you can't really get anything past 7:00 so I wanted stuff if I was hungry at a time food wasn't available.  It will also give my husband something to eat if he's hungry.  I will probably come home with half of it, depending upon when I deliver, but it's not taking up much space anyway. 

Rosehip15

I ate in very early labor before, wasn't allowed to eat at the hospital during labor (11 & 9 years ago) and was STARVING afterwards.

After my daughter I was literally screaming for cheetos (hadn't eaten in 24 hours) despite the fact that I almost never eat snack/junk food.

After my son (emergency c/s), I was so incredibly hungry, but was on a soft diet until I had a BM.  My Dad went and got me a burger & fries the next day.  Best meal ever.

splsmama2016

I was put on a liquid/see through diet once admitted. They allowed me the fruit snacks I brought with though, seeing as they're essentially jello. But they brought me breakfast fairly soon after delivery. 

But water, Sprite, juice, Gatorade, fruit snacks, they offered me jello (but it's gross).... 

gauge1234

cmac827 said:

My birthing center allows you to eat whatever you want and has a fridge in each room. I'm bringing frozen fruit bars, powerade, protein bars, gummy worms, and gu.

Pretty much what I have packed!

energy gels, powerades, lots of gummy bears, electrolyte powder ... Protein bars are a good idea! I'll add some of those. 

AOliveira11

Picked up snacks at target today. You'd think my husbad was having a bunch of 12-year-olds over for a slumber party. He got chips, sour patch kids, beef jerky, slim jims, red bull and cheese its. I bought granola bars, pirate booty and some gum. 

AshleyBKeen

Dude. After three months of GD Dieting all I want is some Twizzlers and Oreos :P so uh. Yeah, we packed some of both of those along with some Peanut Butter crackers and trail mix for the hubs to snack on during delivery.

newbabymakes4

My hospital only allowed ice chips (sometimes they allow clears - water and juice). I packed granola bars, almonds, and some fruits that don't need to be refrigerated to eat afterwards. And luckily this time around DD was courteous enough to plan her arrival within cafeteria hours so I could at least order a (really disgusting) hospital meal.