Did you smuggle snacks to L&D for yourself?

emmavenus77 · July 2010

I need to eat every 2-3 hours and if I get really hungry I get sick, headache, nausea, the works and this before I was pregnant. I've heard that when you're in labor, food is the last thing you think about, BUT, how do you have the power/strength to get through labor on an empty stomach? I can't wrap my head around it.

Sooooo, I'm thinking of smuggling some snacks, nothing heavy because I know it will probably come back up, but something to take the edge off. I did pack some preggo pops.

What was your experience? Did you think about food at all? Did you get hungry? And above all, did you smuggle anything in? If so, what?

MrsMoody2006 · July 2010

I had food with me, some granola bars, some yogurt, but I didn't touch any of it. I didn't even think about it.

MelbaCat · July 2010

Nope and I don't recommend it. They tell you not to eat for a reason. I was on IV fluids to slow down my contractions at one point and part of those fluids is sugar water, so i never even thought about food or being hungry.

They did give me popsicles and juice and water...but at one point i threw it up, so i stuck to ice chips after that. And if anything happens and you have to go for an emergency c/s, you definitely do NOT want to have eaten. I hadn't eaten in 30 hours and i STILL threw up something during the c/s and several times after it.

The first time i even noticed hunger or thirst was immediately after the c/s and i was thirsty, not at all hungry. In fact, i didn't eat until the morning after the c/s. it had been almost 48 hours since my last meal and even then i was starving at all.

coshea1 · July 2010

I ate a meal right before my induction was started and brought snacks for DH and I. I didn't even think about food/get hungy once labor started. Furthest thing from my mind.

anabell0920 · July 2010

mychelba:
Nope and I don't recommend it. They tell you not to eat for a reason. I was on IV fluids to slow down my contractions at one point and part of those fluids is sugar water, so i never even thought about food or being hungry.
They did give me popsicles and juice and water...but at one point i threw it up, so i stuck to ice chips after that. And if anything happens and you have to go for an emergency c/s, you definitely do NOT want to have eaten. I hadn't eaten in 30 hours and i STILL threw up something during the c/s and several times after it.
The first time i even noticed hunger or thirst was immediately after the c/s and i was thirsty, not at all hungry. In fact, i didn't eat until the morning after the c/s. it had been almost 48 hours since my last meal and even then i was starving at all.

I went all natural and my doula actually HIGHLY suggested eating and drinking to keep up your strength and to make sure you don't dehydrate. Plus regardless of eating/drinking throwing up is common because of what your body is going through it doesn't have much to do with food or drink.

OP- My doula suggested water and electrolyte drink (gatorade or similar) also she did say eat food that you wouldn't mind throwing up! lol I snacked but barely, I had some apple sauce and honey sticks and had TONS of water. The honey sticks were a lifesaver! So easy to eat especially when you don't really want to. Also my doula told us some nurses are not cool with it so she said it's always better to say your sorry then ask for permission! lol So the worst they will tell you is to stop but hey it's definetly worth a try! My nurses never once told me to stop. Good luck!

vegandy · July 2010

I did, but it was the last thing on my mind during hard active labor

jessica_block · July 2010

My water broke @ 3:30 in the morning and we were at L&D by 4:30. I didn't have regular contractions, so they let me have breakfast (pancakes, yogurt & fruit). Then around lunch they let me have broth & jell-o (which came back up about an hour later.) After that I didn't think about food again until long after my DD was born at 9:39pm.

ToledoDeux · July 2010

The hospital served me full meals while I was in labor, and I scarfed them right up. I know other women say food was the last thing on their minds....but I don't get that at all. I was fricking hungry.

So no smuggling necessary. But with DD1, we did come prepared with major snackage just in case. We were pretty open about it, though. I'd like to see a nurse try to stop me from eating. lol.

KeepingItLowKey · July 2010

i brought food to eat after and I'm glad I did because I was famished... but when I was in labor, food was the furthest thing from my mind. Oh and I was having contractions all day and ate lunch anyway and wish I hadn't since it all came out the other end on the delivery table.

Oh I went med-free also.?

vegandy · July 2010

ToledoDeux:
The hospital served me full meals while I was in labor, and I scarfed them right up. I know other women say food was the last thing on their minds....but I don't get that at all. I was fricking hungry.
So no smuggling necessary. But with DD1, we did come prepared with major snackage just in case. We were pretty open about it, though. I'd like to see a nurse try to stop me from eating. lol.

I'm shocked to hear your hospital served you food while in labor, most hospitals barely allow sips of water. Did you have an epi/drugs? Everyone has a different birth obviously but after laboring so long naturally....once it got really rough eating was the last thing I wanted to do!

ToledoDeux · July 2010

vegandy:
ToledoDeux:
The hospital served me full meals while I was in labor, and I scarfed them right up. I know other women say food was the last thing on their minds....but I don't get that at all. I was fricking hungry.
So no smuggling necessary. But with DD1, we did come prepared with major snackage just in case. We were pretty open about it, though. I'd like to see a nurse try to stop me from eating. lol.
I'm shocked to hear your hospital served you food while in labor, most hospitals barely allow sips of water. Did you have an epi/drugs? Everyone has a different birth obviously but after laboring so long naturally....once it got really rough eating was the last thing I wanted to do!

I loooove my hospital, and this is one of the reasons why. There is really no reason that a laboring woman should not eat or drink (if she wants to, of course).

I had an epi with my first, after almost 24 hours of labor. I konked out after that, and woke up to push, so no eating with the epi...but before the epi I pigged out with abandon.

I was med-free with #2, and ate when I wanted. I ate a full meatloaf and mashed potatoes lunch at noon and she was born by 3. No vomiting, no regrets.

anabell0920 · July 2010

ToledoDeux:
I loooove my hospital, and this is one of the reasons why. There is really no reason that a laboring woman should not eat or drink (if she wants to, of course).
I had an epi with my first, after almost 24 hours of labor. I konked out after that, and woke up to push, so no eating with the epi...but before the epi I pigged out with abandon.
I was med-free with #2, and ate when I wanted. I ate a full meatloaf and mashed potatoes lunch at noon and she was born by 3. No vomiting, no regrets.

Yes If you think about it your working and HARD so why would it be recommended to not eat or drink!?

NewlyWeds13 · July 2010

anabell0920:
ToledoDeux:

I loooove my hospital, and this is one of the reasons why. There is really no reason that a laboring woman should not eat or drink (if she wants to, of course).

I had an epi with my first, after almost 24 hours of labor. I konked out after that, and woke up to push, so no eating with the epi...but before the epi I pigged out with abandon.

I was med-free with #2, and ate when I wanted. I ate a full meatloaf and mashed potatoes lunch at noon and she was born by 3. No vomiting, no regrets.

If you think about it your working and HARD so why would it be recommended to not eat or drink!?

I agree in theory, however I would be scared in case of a medical emergency that required a c-section. If you had just eaten a meatloaf meal, I could imagine that might be a little difficult if you did have to have a true emergency c-section (which as much as we all don't want, could happen at any time).

Maybe I am just paranoid.

vegandy · July 2010

ToledoDeux:
vegandy:
ToledoDeux:
The hospital served me full meals while I was in labor, and I scarfed them right up. I know other women say food was the last thing on their minds....but I don't get that at all. I was fricking hungry.
So no smuggling necessary. But with DD1, we did come prepared with major snackage just in case. We were pretty open about it, though. I'd like to see a nurse try to stop me from eating. lol.
I'm shocked to hear your hospital served you food while in labor, most hospitals barely allow sips of water. Did you have an epi/drugs? Everyone has a different birth obviously but after laboring so long naturally....once it got really rough eating was the last thing I wanted to do!
I loooove my hospital, and this is one of the reasons why. There is really no reason that a laboring woman should not eat or drink (if she wants to, of course).
I had an epi with my first, after almost 24 hours of labor. I konked out after that, and woke up to push, so no eating with the epi...but before the epi I pigged out with abandon.
I was med-free with #2, and ate when I wanted. I ate a full meatloaf and mashed potatoes lunch at noon and she was born by 3. No vomiting, no regrets.

IA, lucky you to have such a lax hospital!

anabell0920 · July 2010

NewlyWeds13:
anabell0920:
ToledoDeux:

I loooove my hospital, and this is one of the reasons why. There is really no reason that a laboring woman should not eat or drink (if she wants to, of course).

I had an epi with my first, after almost 24 hours of labor. I konked out after that, and woke up to push, so no eating with the epi...but before the epi I pigged out with abandon.

I was med-free with #2, and ate when I wanted. I ate a full meatloaf and mashed potatoes lunch at noon and she was born by 3. No vomiting, no regrets.

If you think about it your working and HARD so why would it be recommended to not eat or drink!?

I agree in theory, however I would be scared in case of a medical emergency that required a c-section. If you had just eaten a meatloaf meal, I could imagine that might be a little difficult if you did have to have a true emergency c-section (which as much as we all don't want, could happen at any time).

Maybe I am just paranoid.

Personally I can't imagine having a big meal because like others said I wasn't very interested in food and that was with a 24 hour hard/active labor but I knew to keep my strength up I needed something so I had some honey sticks. Which really isn't gonna change much if there was a need for an emergency c-section.

BlondeBeachBride08 · July 2010

I would have liked to eat after I had the epi when I was just hanging out but my hospital doesn't allow food after you're admitted because if you were to vomit while under anesthesia you could aspirate the vomit. They cover their butts even though the vast majority of women don't require anesthesia.

Aknight1986 · July 2010

I had some snacks and the hospital gave me juice and popsicles. I ended up losing it all when I went through transition. I wasn't hungry during labor I was more thirsty. I was starving when I was done though. If anything pack something for right after because I could not get food fast enough after they took DS to clean and weigh him.

lizloo85 · July 2010

We brought a bag with apples, cereal bars, goldfish crackers and some m & m's. I was induced at 8 in the morning and was not in any pain whatsoever until around 1 in the afternoon.

So I was freagin starving. I kept eating goldfish, some of the candy and an apple. Of course only when the nurse wasn't in the room. By 12 I was asking my dh to get me a burger. lol The nurse said nothing to eat or drink, but she could get me jello. lol

Everything turned out just fine and nothing other than the baby came out. lol

IrishBrideND · July 2010

The csection fear is unnecessary. If you get hit by a car after just eating a huge meal, do you think they are worried about the fact that your stomach is full? Nope.

I love my hosptial. They brought me food the entire time. I would have brought snacks if they hadn't done that.

CaitlinJ22 · July 2010

I ate some skittles and a granola bar. i didnt care, I was in labor for 12 hrs and needed some food...

Cilley · July 2010

Yes, I did but after talking to the anesthesiologist I changed my mind. Didn't want to go to surgery with a full stomach. Luckily, I had a vaginal birth, but it was just in case.

DizzyLiz422 · July 2010

IrishBrideND:
The csection fear is unnecessary. If you get hit by a car after just eating a huge meal, do you think they are worried about the fact that your stomach is full? Nope.

I love my hosptial. They brought me food the entire time. I would have brought snacks if they hadn't done that.

This! I mean come on, true emergencies happen ALL the time and they don't worry, "Well this guy just ate meatloaf so we should wait so he doesn't aspirate and die!" That's silly.

I was SO, very hungry. I was admitted on a Tuesday afternoon at about 3-4ish (due to preE), started pitocin early Wednesday morning, and had a c-section Thursday at 7 pm. They starved me until after I delivered. I thought about food constantly and those darn popsicles and jello just was NOT cutting it. I wish someone had snuck food in for me!

tbone22308 · July 2010

I didn't, but wish i had. I went into labor at 8pm and didn't deliver until 4 the next afternoon, didn't get to eat until 5. The whole time i was complaining how hungry and thirsty I was. Maybe i'm an oddball, but i was STARVING!

BuckeyeWife07 · July 2010

I wish I would have! I was really weak and sick after because I hadn't eaten in over 23 hours. And then all I wanted was a Popsicle and they wouldn't give me one because I had a fever! It sucked!

jamiedsgirl · July 2010

All I could think about was water, not food. In fact, I was thinking, I've got to get this baby out so I can get a glass of water!!! I mistakenly ate right before going into the hospital and promptly projectile-vomited as soon as I was situated in my delivery room.

lil_rhody · July 2010

I was at a birth center, so I didn't have to sneak anything in. However, by the time I got to the hospital, I was already 7 cm and not hungry at all. It was all the nurses, DH, and my doula could do to get me to drink juice to stay hydrated.

mbear511 · July 2010

coshea1:
I ate a meal right before my induction was started and brought snacks for DH and I. I didn't even think about food/get hungy once labor started. Furthest thing from my mind.

This.

Mrs. Reckling · July 2010

No. I didnt even think about putting food in my hospital bag. But while I was in labor eating was the last thing on my mind. After I delivered DD I was aloud to eat so my sis went to the cafeteria to get me something to eat.

numeria11 · July 2010

I didn't and man do I wish I had. Our hosipital wouldn't let me have anything other than ice. I at at 8am and went to the hospital at 11am because my water had broken the night before and I still wasn't having contractions, so we needed to get things moving. From the time I walked in the hospital doors til 7am the next day I had nothing to eat and I was famished. It didn't help that they didn't really get me into active labor until almost 8pm because they had to give me pitosin and didnt bother upping it much from 1pm til 7pm. That whole time DH and I were chilling together watching TV and I kept seeing food commerials and wishing I could eat soo badly.

I didn't throw up during labor but I did throw up right afterward and again once I finally ate. I think the whole fear of asperating thing is just something hospitals use to scare women so that they dont have to worry about the risk. But really you could throw up regardless, I mean I hadnt eaten in almost 24 hours and I still puked.

ELCJet · July 2010

I brought snacks for DH, and I also brought 2 huge jugs of Gatorade for me. I didn't feel like eating even though I had some hunger pangs, but I was super thirsty....before the epidural, I downed them both and there were plenty of calories in them to stay with me. I think I went into labor at 3am, had breakfast (peanut butter on English muffin) at 7am, and DS was born at 8:20pm. Didn't eat until 11:30pm, but I survived. Was more thirsty than anything!

georgia_peachy · July 2010

I had snacks but didn't eat them. Take this with a grain of salt though. I did a natural birth and didn't show up to the hospital until I was in HARD labor. I ate all day long before that. I did have contraband juice that I drank whenever the nurse left the room. It really helped me and I didn't get dehydrated. I did throw most of it up when I went into transition, but it was so much better than the HFCS popsicles the hospital wanted me to have.

shanesfiance · July 2010

I never even thought about food. The nurse checked for me and said my doctor only allowed a liquid diet while in labor -- this was around 10 a.m. and I was progressing quickly. I got a lemon ice (which was recommended for the sugar) but wasn't really hungry. I just sipped water and ate a lot of ice the entire time. I went almost 24 hours without any food other than that lemon ice and I didn't even notice. I also never threw up and didn't have any nausea. I did have snacks from home for the next 2 days in the hospital--you might get hungry in the middle of the night, especially if you are breastfeeding.

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