For those who will not have an IV in place.

Squishycheeks · July 2009

What types of foods or drinks are you bringing with you to the hospital to ensure that you stay hydrated?

Someone suggested honey sticks because you most likely won't feel like eating, but it's a quick way to get your sugar/energy up.

What else?

mrs.schwery · July 2009

Mmmmmm honey sticks.

I don't have an answer for your question but I'm going to on a mad search for these all day today.

deb2126 · July 2009

Check with your hospital to see what they offer too. Mine offers Italian ice, ice chips, jello, popsicles etc.

oct-wedding · July 2009

Our hospital won't let us eat, regardless of IV or not. They tell you to eat before you come in in labor since you won't be able to eat until after delivery. I did have an IV with #1 but hope to not have one with #2. The only thing I was allowed to have were ice chips, thank goodness labor was only about 9 hours.

lovesazzie · July 2009

I don't know! I am hoping our MW will have a few suggestions once we get closer to September. I'm thinking I would take stuff like jello or fruit - light but tasty with some sugar.. kind of the same idea as the honey sticks.

tmp-116966375004162 · July 2009

The nurse practioner I saw today recently delivered twins at my hospital. I was counting on just chugging water but she suggested Gatorade. I'm going to stock up on a few bottles soon!

GypsyEsq · July 2009

Our doula suggested nuts so I have some individual packs of trail mix (several different kinds), also some granola bars and cheese crackers. For liquids there is a drink called "laborade" that is a homemade drink that frankly sounds gross but you can get a recipe on the internet. I think honestly I might bring a six pack of my favorite flavor of gatorade (or G2 for less sugar). The hospital will give us ice, water, and jello.

smilelari · July 2009

Gatorade and emergen-C have both been suggested to me

For food I'm thinking along the lines of what a runner would take to a marathon. Honey sticks for sure. Maybe some of those energy gel things or the jelly belly energy things

5dogs · July 2009

Propel or Gatorade, trail mix, granola or Nutrigrain bars, my favorite Promax protein bars.

Squishycheeks · July 2009

mrs.schwery:

Mmmmmm honey sticks.

I don't have an answer for your question but I'm going to on a mad search for these all day today.

Lol, I know! I'm scared that if I go buy them now there won't be any left by the time I actually go into labor!

At1stsight · July 2009

oct-wedding:
Our hospital won't let us eat, regardless of IV or not. They tell you to eat before you come in in labor since you won't be able to eat until after delivery.

This. Many hospitals enforce this for two reasons:

1) vomiting is not uncommon during pushing/labor and you don't need non-fluids spewing everywhere or painfully coming up (I remember these days from 1st tri fondly...)

2) If you need an emergency C-section, it's really best for everyone involved for your stomach/bowels to be as empty as possible.

CalinsBride · July 2009

I'm not allowed to have solids, but we are bringing tons of water, juice boxes, popsicles, and of course there will be ice chips.

Squishycheeks · July 2009

At1stsight:

oct-wedding:
Our hospital won't let us eat, regardless of IV or not. They tell you to eat before you come in in labor since you won't be able to eat until after delivery.

This. Many hospitals enforce this for two reasons:

1) vomiting is not uncommon during pushing/labor and you don't need non-fluids spewing everywhere or painfully coming up (I remember these days from 1st tri fondly...)

2) If you need an emergency C-section, it's really best for everyone involved for your stomach/bowels to be as empty as possible.

My hospital is fine with it, I checked:)

lovesazzie · July 2009

smilelari:
Gatorade and emergen-C have both been suggested to me

For food I'm thinking along the lines of what a runner would take to a marathon. Honey sticks for sure. Maybe some of those energy gel things or the jelly belly energy things

So smart!!!

lovesazzie · July 2009

Squishycheeks:
At1stsight:

oct-wedding:
Our hospital won't let us eat, regardless of IV or not. They tell you to eat before you come in in labor since you won't be able to eat until after delivery.

This. Many hospitals enforce this for two reasons:

1) vomiting is not uncommon during pushing/labor and you don't need non-fluids spewing everywhere or painfully coming up (I remember these days from 1st tri fondly...)

2) If you need an emergency C-section, it's really best for everyone involved for your stomach/bowels to be as empty as possible.

My hospital is fine with it, I checked:)

My birth center encourages it to keep energy up.. their #1 reason for transfer to hospital is the mother becoming exhausted, so they really push resting during early labor and eating/drinking during labor.

At1stsight · July 2009

Squishycheeks:
At1stsight:

oct-wedding:
Our hospital won't let us eat, regardless of IV or not. They tell you to eat before you come in in labor since you won't be able to eat until after delivery.

This. Many hospitals enforce this for two reasons:

1) vomiting is not uncommon during pushing/labor and you don't need non-fluids spewing everywhere or painfully coming up (I remember these days from 1st tri fondly...)

2) If you need an emergency C-section, it's really best for everyone involved for your stomach/bowels to be as empty as possible.

My hospital is fine with it, I checked:)

Lucky you! I'm fine with the policy b/c I understand it, but I'm SUCH a food driven person. I'm planning to labor at home until I actually reach the 5-1-1 mark just to make sure I eat if I really want to. I'm quite the grump when I'm hungry!

GypsyEsq · July 2009

At1stsight:
oct-wedding:
Our hospital won't let us eat, regardless of IV or not. They tell you to eat before you come in in labor since you won't be able to eat until after delivery.
This. Many hospitals enforce this for two reasons:
1) vomiting is not uncommon during pushing/labor and you don't need non-fluids spewing everywhere or painfully coming up (I remember these days from 1st tri fondly...)
2) If you need an emergency C-section, it's really best for everyone involved for your stomach/bowels to be as empty as possible.

Those reasons for enforcing the nothing by mouth order during labor and delivery are outmoded. Vomiting during labor may happen whether you eat during labor or not as digestion slows down significantly during labor so your "last meal" so to speak may still be available for throwing up. Second, your risks of aspirating during a c-section are directly tied to whether or not you are under general anesthesia and are still very low because the use of said anesthesia has changed over the years. Obviously some hospitals still enforce this rule but it is not based on sound reasoning and the reasons for eating during labor (shorter labor, more effective pushing) are much more compelling IMO. https://pregnancychildbirth.suite101.com/article.cfm/eating_during_labor_

At1stsight · July 2009

GypsyEsq:
At1stsight:
oct-wedding:
Our hospital won't let us eat, regardless of IV or not. They tell you to eat before you come in in labor since you won't be able to eat until after delivery.
This. Many hospitals enforce this for two reasons:
1) vomiting is not uncommon during pushing/labor and you don't need non-fluids spewing everywhere or painfully coming up (I remember these days from 1st tri fondly...)
2) If you need an emergency C-section, it's really best for everyone involved for your stomach/bowels to be as empty as possible.
Those reasons for enforcing the nothing by mouth order during labor and delivery are outmoded. Vomiting during labor may happen whether you eat during labor or not as digestion slows down significantly during labor so your "last meal" so to speak may still be available for throwing up. Second, your risks of aspirating during a c-section are directly tied to whether or not you are under general anesthesia and are still very low because the use of said anesthesia has changed over the years. Obviously some hospitals still enforce this rule but it is not based on sound reasoning and the reasons for eating during labor (shorter labor, more effective pushing) are much more compelling IMO. https://pregnancychildbirth.suite101.com/article.cfm/eating_during_labor_

Aspiration is actually not the issue I was told; nicking the intestines during any abdominal surgery is a possibility and this leads to life-long complications. Sure it's a small risk, but it's so serious that you want to do anything possible to avoid it.

ITA that eating has its benefits, but I trust my docs and DH (who's also an MD) so I'm not bothered.

madonnadouwanna · July 2009

oct-wedding:
Our hospital won't let us eat, regardless of IV or not. They tell you to eat before you come in in labor since you won't be able to eat until after delivery.

This. I'm incredibly limited to hard candy and ice chips.

madhatter2003 · July 2009

I ate a ton of PB crackers while in labor with DS, DD I was on a nutrigrain kick.

Check with your hospital on what they have on hand, mine had all kinds of snacks and would bring you whatever you wanted. I even got a turkey sandwich at one point while in labor with DD

Manderlin923 · July 2009

Thanks for posting that link Gypsy...it was interesting

I am at a birth center so i'll probably bring diluted apple juice, water of course, nuts, cheese, fruit, etcc stuff like that

And a huge old veggie lasagne to pop in the oven after the birth!

GypsyEsq · July 2009

At1stsight:
GypsyEsq:
At1stsight:
oct-wedding:
Our hospital won't let us eat, regardless of IV or not. They tell you to eat before you come in in labor since you won't be able to eat until after delivery.
This. Many hospitals enforce this for two reasons:
1) vomiting is not uncommon during pushing/labor and you don't need non-fluids spewing everywhere or painfully coming up (I remember these days from 1st tri fondly...)
2) If you need an emergency C-section, it's really best for everyone involved for your stomach/bowels to be as empty as possible.
Those reasons for enforcing the nothing by mouth order during labor and delivery are outmoded. Vomiting during labor may happen whether you eat during labor or not as digestion slows down significantly during labor so your "last meal" so to speak may still be available for throwing up. Second, your risks of aspirating during a c-section are directly tied to whether or not you are under general anesthesia and are still very low because the use of said anesthesia has changed over the years. Obviously some hospitals still enforce this rule but it is not based on sound reasoning and the reasons for eating during labor (shorter labor, more effective pushing) are much more compelling IMO. https://pregnancychildbirth.suite101.com/article.cfm/eating_during_labor_
Aspiration is actually not the issue I was told; nicking the intestines during any abdominal surgery is a possibility and this leads to life-long complications. Sure it's a small risk, but it's so serious that you want to do anything possible to avoid it.
ITA that eating has its benefits, but I trust my docs and DH (who's also an MD) so I'm not bothered.

That's one I hadn't heard yet -- if that's the case are you also getting an enema? Because even if you haven't eaten there's no guarantee that your bowels will be empty.

karelaorange · July 2009

Our birth instructor recommended oatmeal packets.

At1stsight · July 2009

That's one I hadn't heard yet -- if that's the case are you also getting an enema? Because even if you haven't eaten there's no guarantee that your bowels will be empty.

No enema planned. You're absolutely right that it doesn't mean your bowels will be empty, but not eating assists in keeping them from being any fuller than they already are. It definitely is just an extra precaution, which is why some hospitals don't enforce it.

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For those who will not have an IV in place.

Re: For those who will not have an IV in place.

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