Are you eating before labor?

melaniedel · June 2011

What is the deal with not being able to eat before labor? Is it because of the possiblity of surgery? Do you plan on grabbing a bite before heading to hospital (assuming you feel that there is time)? Is it better to eat something light than heavy? I just can't imagine being ravenous and have to labor for X amount of hours.

megd06 · June 2011

I went into labor with DS in the middle of the night (2 am) and labored until 5:21 pm that evening--all they gave me was a popsicle. One. And it was at 9 am. I went meds-free, so I was getting no rest, and was completely exhausted. So yes, I plan to eat before going to the hospital if I have time--it'd be something light--toast, snack bar, etc. I also plan to take light snacks with me to eat during labor.

alliapistor · June 2011

I think the concern is nausea and complications with anesthesia if it should become necessary.

This is one of the reasons I plan to labor at home as long as possible. I can't imagine going 20+ hours on ice chips and popsicles if I'm expected to do something physically straining. We haven't had our hospital tour yet, but I'm expecting that to be their policy.

Jay_Cee · June 2011

I'm planning to eat something small, perhaps a bowl of oatmeal before I go into the hospital. I'm also going to bring some light snacks that I can munch on if I need them. I can't imagine going hours upon hours without eating anything.

Nanner22 · June 2011

I'm a FTM and I plan on eating a little something before heading into the hospital. I also plan on stopping to get a snow cone. haha Clear Flavor for sure though.

jenmarshall88 · June 2011

My best friend just had her second child, she learned the hard way after her first that you get very hungry after going a while in labor with no food so when her water broke and her doctor told her to come on to the hospital, she went and had a family dinner to celebrate the oncoming baby before heading to the hospital.

I plan to eat something light ahead of time. I've heard they worry a lot about women vomiting due to pain through labor and knowing me, if I ate something heavy that would be me, so I plan to eat something to at least tie me over for a few hours.

chelwig89 · June 2011

Last time, despite warnings of "don't eat dairy if you're going into labor blah blah blah" I did eat most of one of those Tostinos pizzas before going to the hospital I had been having contractions all day and we went to a store an hour away, came back, went to Kroger and got Gatorades, pads for when we got home, and one of those pizzas. I ate that and then we went to the hospital. It didn't cause any problems with me, but I didn't have to have a c section, either.

I plan on eating before again, if time allows it

aliska · June 2011

I'm going to an out of hospital birth center...so they don't have this rule. They encourage eating, but don't go to a buffet. The snacks should be easy on the stomach, easy to digest, have carbs, have protein, and be low in sugar. I'm going to bring some granola bars, maybe some frozen fruit popsicles, and some running "fuels" from my marathon days.

We'll also be bringing our own "after" meal to heat up there...since I will likely have a huge appetite right after LO is born. It also isn't a bad idea to pack snacks and sandwiches for DH.

To keep myself distracted during early labot I plan to bake muffins and cookies for DH and the midwives to snack on. For me baking is a stress reliever...but I know that I am weird.

The hospital we would be transferred to if something went wrong allows eating. The rules against eating are in place for the very very small chance that you would need an emergency c-section where they wouldn't have enough time to give you an epi and would have to give you general anestesia. With general anestesia, if you have anything in your stomach, you have a risk of throwing up and breathing in your throw up...not good. But this is a VERY small risk. Good luck!

legalbee33 · June 2011

Before I was induced, I ate some chicken for the protein. Make sure to have some type of protein before you go to the hospital for the endurance. I didn't really feel hungry while I was in labor. Best decision I made because they don't offer you food. Some doctors let you eat a popsicle, but most only let you have ice chips. I will be doing the same thing this time around.

Nutrguru · June 2011

You should eat something light while you are in early labor because it will give you energy for the rest of labor and delivery. You are not reccomended to eat a ton though and definitely not high fat/greasy foods because that may actually make you sick...

Every hospital is different though with if you can eat small snacks during labor or not. But I would just plan on ice chips...who knows you may not even notice the hunger...

CHI-06 · June 2011

I did... they told me to come in and I showered and eat first... a light breakfast.

With number two I had a big steak dinner while my contractions started and that was about 6pm and had surgery at 3am. I didn't do that on purpose though and was totally worried about the full belly and no one seemed to care...

FlashMeyer · June 2011

In my instance there was no time to eat before leaving for the hospital. My water broke unexpectantly and labor progressed very fast. Not every woman labors for hours on end. With that said, it was not hunger that bothered me but I was thirsty as hell and they control your intake of ice chips to a minimum. I would have done anything for a drink of water.

mrskeller825 · June 2011

I didn't eat anything last time, and I was induced. I was told to eat a huge breakfast, which I did, but still during the whole long- 35 hour deal I was so so hungry. One issue, was due to the epidural, I was puking every 30ish minutes, but honestly that was long after I had anything left in my system. Being so tired and hungry was awful. Didn't help that mil broght dh a pizza and he ate it in front of me. I was so so so MAD! He's FORBIDDEN from eating anything I deem yummy. He can choked down the power bars we bring for him

jenmarshall88 · June 2011

mrskeller825:
Didn't help that mil broght dh a pizza and he ate it in front of me. I was so so so MAD! He's FORBIDDEN from eating anything I deem yummy. He can choked down the power bars we bring for him

I don't have a birth plan and am really just a no rules, go with the flow kind of girl. One of like...3 rules I have is that DH is to not have a SINGLE bite of food in front of me while I am laboring. No matter how nasty the food may be, I know I will be hungry and want it. So he can step outside and eat it.

sunandsurfmama · June 2011

I am permitted to eat before and during labor at the facility where I am delivering. It really varies from place to place.

I am not sure if I will actually eat something. Will just play it by ear and see how I feel. I certainly will be drinking though.

mabma80 · June 2011

Probably ice chips or a popsicle. Whatever they give me at the hospital, cause I think eating will probaby be the last thing on my mind. ; )

SarahPLiz · June 2011

My response to a similar Question on the 8/11 board:

The risk of aspiration is actually very low. I was instructed in my birth classes to labor at home as long as possible, eating and drinking as I liked, and then to bring food to the hospital if I wanted to and just sneak it.

Several of the girls in my class, and me, are endurance athletes of some sort, so we all plan to bring packets of HEED, Accellerade, or PureSport with us to mix in our water bottles. This drinks are often used by Ironman athletes (and us non-Iron athletes) because they have both calories and protein, but are easy to digest. I suggest going to your local running or bike store and picking up a few packets to try out before you go into labor. Labor is an endurance activity, and often goes on longer than the cut off time for an Ironman, so getting enough calories, hydration and protein is key to maintaining your health during it.

12bailey18 · June 2011

I regret not eating before I went to the hospital. (I went into the hospital at 5pm) I was just too nervous and was focused too much on actually being in labor I wasn't hungry. When I was in labor I never even noticed being hungry but right after delivery I was starving!! (It was 4am- before the kitchen was open for breakfast.) I was glad we had brought some snacks for DH, I munched on those until they were serving breakfast. But yes, I want to make it a point this time around to eat something before.

Pearly609 · June 2011

I was told that in case you need to have a cs, you can't have anything to eat. I personally experienced vomitting after having some meds with my son. I was told after being induced that I couldn't eat, I tried to sneak a skittle and vomitted it up. Embarrassed

genekelly · June 2011

I'm going to try and eat something before heading to the hospital. I know what I'm like when I'm exercising hard and haven't had enough to eat--bonk city! I would hate for that to derail me during labor. I know we can have clear liquids during labor at the hospital so I'm going to bring some white grape juice and/or gatorade as well for the sugar.

EllenK11 · June 2011

I was told to eat something light when labor starts,but to avoid dairy so I was thinking about a turkey sandwich on toast. Also, my instructor said it is important to have/consume 8oz of fluids an hour so you don't get dehydrated, whether it be ice chips, popsicles, or water.

viceba · June 2011

With my first DS, I tried to eat crackers and drink water, but threw it all up. So, I gave up and didn't try to eat anything else. Just my body's reaction to the labor. This one, I am not even going to bother with food.

chelwig89 · June 2011

mrskeller825:
I didn't eat anything last time, and I was induced. I was told to eat a huge breakfast, which I did, but still during the whole long- 35 hour deal I was so so hungry. One issue, was due to the epidural, I was puking every 30ish minutes, but honestly that was long after I had anything left in my system. Being so tired and hungry was awful. Didn't help that mil broght dh a pizza and he ate it in front of me. I was so so so MAD! He's FORBIDDEN from eating anything I deem yummy. He can choked down the power bars we bring for him

That BEYOTCH!

lol, jk, but seriously, I would have been sooooo mad.

My mom called when she was on her way the next day to visit to ask if she could bring him some food or if he was stuck to hospital food like I was, lol. Luckily the hospital food was actually good haha.

I remember that my DH ate a twix and he had chocolate on his fingers... I was having one particularly hard contraction and wanted to squeeze his hand and he knew that chocolate on my hands would drive me insane without scrubbing my hands clean so he was trying to wash them... but I wanted to squeeze them, so I yelled at him FOREVER. and he still won't let it down.

So make sure he eats before going to the hospital too!

SailorGray · June 2011

I ate a, uh, healthy meal from Wendy's on our way to be induced. That was Monday. DS was born on Wednesday. I was allowed popsicles and nothing else. To be honest, I wasn't that hungry b/c being in labor = not feeling great. I will say that the turkey wrap I had immediately following delivery was one of the best meals I have ever eaten.

poppy33 · June 2011

I just replied to a similar thread on the 8/11 board, but we just had our birthing class at the hospital we are delivering at and they encourage us to eat and drink - nothing too heavy - more like high protein items.

They said the only time you wouldn't be able to is if you get an epidural. I know the other hospital in our town is the same way. It seems as though more places are getting away from just ice chips...although by this thread I seem to be wrong.

Serinn · June 2011

I had a McDonald's breakfast meal on the way when my water broke with my first son. So glad I did! I didn't have any issues. It was about 14 hours in before I caved and got the epi and 37 hours later was the csection so it had plenty of time to work through. All they gave me were two popsicles. Even after, all they gave me was more popsicles and crackers. They said I had to wait until morning to make sure nothing bad would happen. I honestly wasn't starving but I really did want something more than crackers...

Our friends brought DH food. The first time, one friend showed up unexpected with a big ol' burger from Chili's. The nurse came in and was like, "Uh, there's a (his name) here to see you and he has food..." She looked at me all sympathetic. I told DH it was fine but there was no way in hell he was eating in the room with me!

indytara · June 2011

Yes. Something with protein too. i don't want to carb crash. So some kind of meat and peanut butter with crackers or something.

elkaybie · June 2011

I will definitely eat something

Beckypooh09 · June 2011

I don't plan to eat anything. I threw up several times after my c-section with my first and even though I'm hoping for a VBAC I could still end up with another c-section. It is not very fun throwing up after having abdominal surgery.

banderson725 · June 2011

Im not eating a thing! they tell u to eat ice only for a reason...VOMIT! I HATE throwing up, so I'll wait til she gets here, like I did with ODD.

SugarQueen101 · June 2011

I plan to eat before laboring at the hospital. And I will bring snacks to nibble on during labor. Mainly because I am prone to develop excruciating migraines when I'm hungry. *sigh* I don't want to have a throbbing headache with bright lights shinning lights over me. Migraines can turn me into a completely different person b/c of the misery. So, I'll have snacks in my bag at the hospital :-)

cookiemonster82 · June 2011

I was actually advised by my midwife to eat right before I went to the hospital. I was at her office and my blood pressure was really high, so they sent me to the hospital. She told me to eat before going b/c it would probably be a long night. I had a salad, but I could barely eat most of it. My contractions actually started on their own and my water broke when I got to the hospital...lol Usually, your body will start to shut down and you won't want to eat once you go into labor.

liv97 · June 2011

we're planning a homebirth, so i'll be snacking all throughout labor.

wolverine8 · June 2011

EAT!! You're about to run the equivalant of a marathon and all the runners I know of don't skip a good hearty meal before the race. When you realize you're in early labor, eat something high in protine. It is very true that once you hit active and especially transition labor you will not want to eat.

mommyjahr · June 2011

First time, my doctor did not tell to avoid eating. I had been in labor all day and ate spaghetti before finally going to the hospital. I ended up having an emergency C section at around midnight. The next morning they gave me a prenatal with iron on an empty stomach and I got sick so they wouldn't let me eat. ALL day! It was the pits. I would plan on eating something, labor is hard work!

heather_09_15_07 · June 2011

I got sent home during early labor and made meatloaf and mashed potatoes for DH and I. It was good.

abrazz · June 2011

I ate before I knew I was in labor and 7 hours later I threw it up. It seriously looked like I had just eaten it. I was sick through the whole labor and the last thing I wanted was food. So I can't relate with people who were starving and angry that the hospital wouldn't let them eat anything. I'd rather be hungry than hungry and vomiting.

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