Snacks during labor

realmissjess · February 2014

I'm planning a med-free birth at a birth center near my home. I didn't expect to need to pack snacks -- I had expected to labor at home for a long time (and that's what they encourage), but I am GBS+ so I'll need to come in when my water breaks.

I hope this doesn't happen too early in labor, but if it does and I head into the birth center in early labor, what kinds of snacks should I bring? I'm supposed to bring my own, and I can't think of what I'll want to eat! I googled some suggestions and I think I'll bring pretzels, applesauce, and yogurt, but I want a variety but I don't want to overpack.

What kinds of snacks do you like in labor, either at home or in a facility?

NoeliaV · February 2014

I didn't want to eat in labor at all, but did keep hydrated with water. I had also packed coconut water, but we didn't get to that. The snacks I packed actually came in handy, though, in postpartum because I delivered DD at 4am, and the hospital kitchen didn't open until 7am, so I ate all my snacks in the meantime. You may not have that trouble being in a BC.

Snacks:
KIND bars

Honey sticks

Coconut water

Nut butter packs (almond butter)

spicysurro · February 2014

My midwife says honey sticks are good for when you don't really want to eat but it gives you a good sugar. Also grapes or little fruit things!

natalie202 · February 2014

I'm a long distance runner and I based my snack packing on what would sound most edible during a long race. I ended up bringing fruit snacks, jelly beans, dried fruit, some Kashi cookies, etc. And then had such a fast labor that I ate none of it despite being GBS positive, heh. But they tasted great when I was eating everything in sight shortly after the little made his appearance!

sschwege · February 2014

Keep it light, I'm a big fan of Popsicals. Saltine Crackers are also a good choice.

RebeccaY1 · February 2014

I would bring things that are easy to pack and you actually enjoy eating. I'm Canadian living in the USA and my parents sent me some special snacks that aren't available in the USA. I've made sure to keep some of them to pack for the hospital since I might feel homesick during labour.

I would bring granola bars, a water bottle, fruit snacks, crackers, grapes, carrot sticks. I would make sure to bring nut-free items since some places don't allow nuts due to allergies.

aylafsu88 · February 2014

I ate while in labor and was really hungry. I did pace myself because I was not sure how transition would feel. I ate honey sticks, a Kashi fruit bar, crackers, and some Popsicles. My Bradley instructor suggested staying away from acidic things in case you throw up. I never did and felt fine with no nausea during my labor. As soon as LO was out I ate a huge turkey sub sandwich. Everyone is different, you may want to eat and you may not. I would have a couple things on hand though just in case.

SidraJedi · February 2014

The only thing I had was water and coconut water. I threw up before transition even hit so eating was the last thing on my mind but the MW wanted me to eat some honey water for energy so I choked that down.

Verstej2 · February 2014

With my DD I took a few snacks with me, Jello cups, nuts, granola bars, cheese and crackers, fruit. But I never ate any of it until after she was born. With my son I ate my regular breakfast before I went into labour and his delivery was super fast so I didn't eat anything during that time. Then we ordered Chinese take-out after (we were at home). I think what others have suggested would work well. Anything that you find comforting is a great option and sticking to high protein, low acid snacks works. Honey is full of energy so that is a great option and a few PPs mentioned coconut water which is fabulous also.

KrisM86 · February 2014

My labor with DS was only 6 hours long and in the middle of the night, so I just had water and sprite.

With DD, I was in labor for 29 hours and quite hungry for the first 15 hours or so. I ate a turkey sandwich, pasta salad, noodle soup and crackers as well as water and cranberry juice with sprite.

Summer889 · February 2014

I felt seriously nauseous by the time I was in active labor (4 cm) and didn't feel like eating anything after that. Good thing too, because I puked 3 times and thankfully, it was just water. But I did drink lots of water, some Gatorade, and my midwife basically made me eat a honey stick while I was pushing.

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