what are you drinking/eating during labor?

carpozi

We're going to go shopping for our labor food soon - what have you or do you plan on eating/drinking while you're in labor at home to keep your stamina up?  I'm not the biggest fan of gatorade, so I'm looking for something else, but don't know if juices will make me feel weighed down or sick? 

 

~adamwife~

With my last baby I had some wonderful "power" bars that my midwife brought for me.  They were all organic and sugar-free.  I wish I could remember the brand name, but I guess you could look around at the store and see if you find something that sounds good.

gnomely

Saltines, lollipops (a friend told me instead of hard candy have a lollipop so you won't lose it if you have a painful contraction while sucking on it), coconut water, popsicles and an unsalted fruit/nut mix.

nosoup4u

I like eggs anytime, so I'm thinking hard-boiled eggs will be good. Peanut butter, cheese, yogurt. Lara Bars are pricey, but they're just dried fruits and nuts and are pretty tasty. My doula said she'll have honey sticks with her for later on in labor...

Whole Foods sells water with electrolytes that's unflavored, and coconut water naturally has electrolytes in it and isn't too sick - though i was reading somewhere that it doesn't have very much sodium, so to add a pinch of salt to it.

flyer23

I drank a ton of cranberry juice during labor with DD, and it was fine.

With both kids, once I was in active labor, I didn't want to eat much at all. Hence why I drank cranberry juice with DD, to get some calories into me. Active labor with DS was so short that I didn't need to eat/drink much of anything, but when my midwife encouraged me to eat shortly after her arrival (since we didn't know that labor would be so short!), I had some apples and peanut butter. Fruit was the only think that sounded remotely appealing.

AutumnBride929

Nothing sounded good to me during labor with #1 but, at the same time, I was hungry.  I brought some protein bars, which were disgusting and some Powerade (which I wasn't really loving).  My midwife had some graham crackers that she gave me so I was able to nibble on those.... that's pretty much all I had.  I brought some Fla-Vor-Ice but never had those during labor (just afterwards).  That's pretty much it.  I say graham crackers should be a good choice!

JuliaBug

I'm going to try to eat boiled eggs and drink a protein shake early in labor. Once I go into the hospital, they restrict me to ice pops and clear fluids. I'll probably bring my favorite flavor of gatorade. 

sschwege

I bought Popsicles and gel packs that they make for runners.  I have run two marathons and I found the gel packs to be easy on the stomach, while providing a burst of energy.   

pinksweetpea2

I ate peanut butter toast and drank Recharge (a natural version of Gatorade) and water.  All I really wanted was the water most of the time, so my MW would mix the Recharge with the water. 

Edit- I usually like hard boiled eggs, but I can't imagine eating them during labor.  After labor I ate a quiche my friend made me ahead of time and stored in  my freezer.  It was REALLY good.  

bandwife

sschwege:

I bought Popsicles and gel packs that they make for runners.  I have run two marathons and I found the gel packs to be easy on the stomach, while providing a burst of energy.   

Another marathoner! I've run a couple fulls and halfs and I would say my labor was a lot like running. You will do well.

I had a home birth and had water, vitamin water, orb protein balls and some Japanese food.

rianals

I ate chicken strips and fries and a salad just before checking into the hospital.  I was STARVING.  Then I spent most of my labor feeling like puking.  It was miserable.

With my first DD, I took a few little sips of OJ and nibbled a little on something (I don't remember what, but it was very light...maybe saltines?).  I did not get sick during that labor.

Both of my labors were pretty quick, though.  I didn't really need anything to keep my energy up.

 

mghnmouse

There is a recipe for "Laborade"  in Dr. Sears The Birth Book:

1/3 cup lemon juice

1/3 cup mild honey

1/4-1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1-2 calcium tablets, crushed

Add water to make one quart. Another 8 ounces of water may be added for a milder flavor, or you can flavor with your favorite juice.

 

This is what I will have on hand as well as some quick things like nuts, yogurt, fruits, juice, pasta and cereal.

ETA: Oh yeah, Peanut Butter and Honey are both lifesavers too

ToledoDeux

I always feel like the odd one out in these discussions, lol.  I would never have made it on broth and power bars, or some weird honey drink.  I ate big full meals when in labor, both times.  Three hours before Molly was born, I had a big lunch of meatloaf and mashed potatoes, served to me by the hospital, after I'd been in labor for 6 hours.  No puking.

And after she was born, I ate three dinners because I still could not stop being hungry.  lol.  That shiit is hard work.

AshasaurusRex

When I was in labor with DS I didn't want to eat anything, but loved orange Gatorade. This time I will eat a whole wheat pasta chicken dish of some sort during early labor for long lasting energy, and will try to find a natural labor aid recipe that tastes like orange Gatorade. I also like the idea of having popsicles on hand.

lindsayll

Yogurt, toast with jam and a banana.  I was drinking Vitamin Water and Smart Water.

I'm not a fan of coconut water, but it's supposed to be a natural alternative to Gatorade, lots of electrolytes.

missfire

Cold green gatorade tasted heavenly while I was in labor.

I also tried eating a power bar, but an hour later I was only half done. I would take a bite as soon as my contraction ended, and only have a minute to chew and swallow before the next one started. So next time, I'll try to find some protein that doesn't require so much chewing!

marisella

I'm doing a lot of what the others are doing (electrolyte drink, tea with honey, power bars).  I also was given the suggestion of instant miso soup, which can be mixed at the hospital with the hot water they provide.  I thought it was a great idea, and since it's "clear" it would work well for women birthing in a hospital with restrictions, too.

Jinsy80

I had a roast beef sandwich from Subway and a Pepsi. I was in labor for less than 4 hours, so it worked for me.

PDXPhotoGrl

I had popsicles, lemonade, juice, Z-Bars, candy, etc on hand but when it came down to it all I wanted was water.

I was STARVING right after, though, and it was a while before the hospital got a meal to me, so it was good to have stuff on hand.

I swear, I could have eaten three giant breakfasts afterward. I had to make  do with hospital pancakes and a fruit and yogurt parfait. I just wanted to keep eating -- the third trimester I could barely eat at all because my stomach had no room, and it was like all of a sudden the space was there and I wanted to FILL IT.

LittleMs.Wifey

mghnmouse:

There is a recipe for "Laborade"  in Dr. Sears The Birth Book:

1/3 cup lemon juice

1/3 cup mild honey

1/4-1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1-2 calcium tablets, crushed

Add water to make one quart. Another 8 ounces of water may be added for a milder flavor, or you can flavor with your favorite juice.

 

This is what I will have on hand as well as some quick things like nuts, yogurt, fruits, juice, pasta and cereal.

ETA: Oh yeah, Peanut Butter and Honey are both lifesavers too

Thanks for posting this recipe! Question: what are calcium tablets? I've only ever taken a gel tab type calcium supplement....