Food during labor

BabeDebolt · May 2013

I will need some calories to get me thru laborI have a high metabolism from high intensity running before pregnancy and still exercise just not as intensely. I assume during active labor I won't want any food, but those hours before I want to be wise with my choices. I only have coconut water on my list. Any advice on some other options? Thanks in advance!

tokenhoser · May 2013

Just eat what appeals (and stay home so you can eat what appeals). I was not nauseous in labour and at no point vomited. I ate a normal lunch before I realized I was in early labour, an order of spring rolls later in the afternoon, a pulled pork sandwich for dinner, a DQ Blizzard at 8 pm, went to the hospital and was 10 cm dilated at 10:30 pm, and had a baby by 1 a.m.

I packed some granola bars and fruit snacks. I didn't eat at the hospital in labour, but I was glad to have my own snack foods for recovery. I did bring my own water bottle and drank several litres of water while pushing.

You'll probably now get a bunch of answers that say "I didn't want to eat!" and "I puked so much!" That could happen, or my experience could happen. Listen to your body.

BabeDebolt · May 2013

Great response. Thx!

Manderlin923 · May 2013

This is what I think I'm bringing:

cheese (like the babybel rounds?), juice, water bottle (a must!), granola bars, peanut butter crackers.

aylafsu88 · May 2013

I ate during my entire labor. I was never nauseous and did not throw up. Here are some of the things I ate: a turkey sandwich, honey sticks, grapes, nutrigrain bars, popsicles, Gatorade. Just be sure to have lots of options on hand and go with what appeals to you.

annabelle.27 · May 2013

I agree with "eat what you want." With my first I had french toast with bananas in early labour. At the hospital, even in advanced labour, I ate oranges and yogurt. I still remember those oranges being the most delicious thing I had ever eaten... I am sure due more to my body's craving for sustenance than to any super power of the fruit.

RMama2012 · May 2013

I just packed healthy stuff that would stay fresh. I packed my bag early so I had prunes, granola bars, walnuts. I drank a small iced coffee and an egg and cheese on a croissant from DD at 4cm. I forgot about eating the rest of my labor and ate my snacks well after my LO was here about 12 hrs later. My DR told me to just eat whatever I wanted and drink as much water as possible.

lorelaie10 · May 2013

Here is an article that might be helpful. While I don't think I'm going to be eating liver pate, I like the idea of the honey sticks and beef broth cubes. Best of luck!

KrisM86 · May 2013

I agree with the pp that you should eat whatever sounds good to you. I'd avoid anything too heavy but try to get some protein in there. Juice is a good option for active labor as it will hydrate and get some extra sugar and calories into you.

brennarobbie · May 2013

Smoothies! I made some in advance...I put my protein powder in for some lasting power. I didn't want any of my usual stuff..just something light and fresh and smooth.

)

virginiagirl11 · May 2013

I puked a lot during my first labor so I wasn't able to eat very much. Dry things weren't very appealing but I remember apple slices as tasting particularly awesome. This time around I'm doing bottles of water, maybe a small bottle of gatorade (I'd rather use coconut water but I absolutely despise the taste), granola bars, some dry cheerios, apple slices, a banana, and maybe an orange.

I think I also packed a sandwich last time but I really wasn't able to tolerate anything substantial. Little snacky things were best for me.

ec0983 · May 2013

another vote for eating what sounds appealing. i thought i was hitting another round of false labor when my contractions started, so i tried eating to get them to stop because that was what had worked for several days before (i was 37w 6d when ds showed up). the only thing that sounded even remotely appetizing was hot dogs, so that's what i had. the contractions didn't stop after i ate since it was the real deal; i had about an hour of nausea as my contractions intensified, and after that my stomach was fine. the only thing i wanted to actually consume from then on was water until after he was born, but i never regretted those hot dogs

Hyaline · May 2013

Have a stash of foods you won't mind eating if you're feeling nauseated. I had a very nauseous labor, right from the get-go--anything heavier than toast or fresh fruit was a no-go for me. I'm glad I had this kind of stuff in the house! Doesn't happen to everyone, but good to have a stash just in case.

hamiltks10 · May 2013

Another reminder to stay at home if you want the flexibility of eating what you want during labor.

DH made me a fantastic omelet while I was in early labor. My labor progressed pretty fast and I never felt hungry again after that...but I was very thirsty and made sure to grab a bottle of water for the ride to the hospital.

PhoebeJones3 · May 2013

I'll tell you what to AVOID - chicken tenders and honey mustard sauce. It burns very badly on the way back up.

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