snacks during labor (also posted in natural birth)

hdchafin · April 2014

Im trying to figure out what to get and have on hand for labor. If you had small snacks during labor, what did you get? My doula said to get chewy things. Right now, I am planning on taking gatorade or something with electrolytes, granola bars/cliff bars, and maybe a bag of trail mix. I would love to hear suggestions though. :-) TIA!!

ililheatheri · April 2014

I just wanted stuff to occupy my mouth honestly. I had lifesavers and mints and I went with electrolytes as well!

spacepotatoes · April 2014

We're not allowed to have anything at the hospital, natural birth or no, but they did provide a list of light and easy to digest snacks to have while labouring at home - crackers, yogurt, granola bars, popsicles, things like that.

runningyogimama · April 2014

Honestly, I couldn't handle anything more than the jello and Popsicles they had at the hospital, even when I was in early labor at home.

*LrCg* · April 2014

I ate a cheeseburger and fries during the first part of my labor. Honestly I didn't put a lot of thought into it- whatever I was hungry for I ate it. I did keep chocolate milk on hand and Gatorade. Later, I figured out I was in transition when I went to eat something and wanted to throw up so that's when Gatorade was helpful since I didn't want anything very filling (vomiting is a sure sign of transition). I would actually be careful about candy, gum, etc. because your mouth muscles are related to your cervix muscles- meaning clinching your mouth/jaw will actually hamper your dilation. I mention this only because some people when they have candy/gum in their mouth tense up on it without realizing.

WashingtonQueen · April 2014

My first labor I was throwing up the whole time, no desire for food at all. My second labor hit hard and fast, no time to even worry about it.

ElTrain5 · April 2014

I was told dried fruit, coconut water and honey sticks are good for keeping energy up. A lot of people vomit whether they eat or not, so it can still be a good idea to try and get a few calories in to help keep your energy up.

hdchafin · April 2014

Thanks to all of you for your input so far! This is my second time, my first was a long miserable experience. I was forced to go days without anything- food or water. This time I am determined to not let them torture me. I told my doula that if I grab food and tell them Im going to poop its code for someone to watch the door, Im going to eat something even if I do just throw it up later. Haha if I were out to dinner and was in a car accident and ended up in an emergency c section, they wouldnt pump my stomach just because I had just ate a big meal, so why should I be tortured for my labor not being an emergency. And if the birth center down the road can let me lightly graze why cant the hospital. But again I thank you all for your replies. :-)

kalette · April 2014

I wasn't hungry when we went in with DD. Labor was 12 hrs start to finish, the only time I wanted anything was right before it was time to push, I was so thirsty! The nurse brought me two sprites and then I was OK again for 3 more hours till the kitchen opened. I don't plan on bringing anything this time either.

owlcup · April 2014

With my DD I munched on fruit throughout labor. Grapes and watermelon.

My labor with DS was too quick to even think about eating.

lavendergiraffes · April 2014

I've been told most places 'won't let you eat' because they don't want to clean up what you puke. So basically it's not about you keeping up your energy, it's about them. I like some of the suggestions on here!! I've also been told make sure it is something you wouldn't mind coming back up. :-)

veetveet · April 2014

I wasn't allowed to eat.... well I was but she asked me if I liked barfing. I stuck with ice chips. I was in so much pain- food was the last thing on my mind.

ncbelle · April 2014

There's no reason you can't eat in labor even if it's against your hospital's policy. They can't tie you down and forbid it

I puked about halfway through labor so eating wasn't on my agenda at all the second time. Really whatever sounds appealing is good - just be aware that puking is fairly common so you'll likely want to avoid anything that would be harsh on the way up!

I would recommend having something like gatorade on hand for after labor (and maybe during) as well as some good protein snacks - I was FAMISHED the moment baby was out!

And not going to lie….I've totally got my post birth meal all planned out

darkangel42 · April 2014

With my first, it was all over so fast that I didn't have time to do anything but breathe and have my birth partner feed me sips of water.

I had juice boxes and a water bottle with me though (doing this again for this baby) because my mouth got so dry. Also bringing smoothies in case it's a long labor (If I'm likely to throw it up, smoothie seems easier) and some kind of snack like a granola/cereal bar and a sandwich for after the birth. The kitchen was closed and the visitors were shooed out after I had my first so I was starving til next morning when my Grandma brought me a cup of tea and some toast!

Anything you can eat one handed that's minimally messy like fruit, granola bars, juice boxes or bottled water with the lid you don't have to take off.

spacepotatoes · April 2014

libbylu7 said:

I've been told most places 'won't let you eat' because they don't want to clean up what you puke. So basically it's not about you keeping up your energy, it's about them. I like some of the suggestions on here!! I've also been told make sure it is something you wouldn't mind coming back up. :-)

I thought it was a precaution in case you need an emergency c-section? Though it is outdated since they don't typically use a general anesthetic for that anymore so the risks associated with having food in your stomach don't really exist.

cMichelle0423 · April 2014

Like a couple pps said, I also wasn't "allowed" to eat. I wasn't even allowed to drink water. They would only give me ice chips but I hardly count that as food or drink. Plus I was so preoccupied with the actual part of being in labor, that I didn't really think about eating until a couple hours after I had DS.

oct-wedding · April 2014

With #2 I had a decent sized meal just before my water broke and wasn't allowed to eat anything other than ice chips in the hospital. My heartburn was SO bad that I was demanding meds for the heartburn and I didn't want to eat. I got Pepcid or Prevacid in my IV. After I delivered they gave me a sandwich that I devoured. I was only in labor for 6 hours. With #1 I was induced and couldn't eat until after delivery which was harder because I delivered overnight and food wasn't available until 6am so I ate as soon as possible. I'm hoping with #3 that I go just after eating and I'm taking an antacid on the way to the hospital.

The reason our hospital won't let you eat is that they want your stomach reasonably empty in case of an emergency C section and having to put you under.

darkangel42 · April 2014

I'm going to a birth centre rather than a hospital so I'm 'allowed' to eat if I want as the birth is med-free. I doubt I'll want to though which is why I'm only packing food for after and smoothies for during - at least smoothies aren't difficult to bring back up.

PrimRoseMama · April 2014

Actually, the nothing to eat rule is to prevent you from choking on your own vomit should their be complications...

I really wouldn't advise going against hospital policies on here. They are in place to protect you.

sschwege · April 2014

PrimRoseMama said:

Actually, the nothing to eat rule is to prevent you from choking on your own vomit should their be complications... I really wouldn't advise going against hospital policies on here. They are in place to protect you.

Then why do some hospitals 'allow' it and some don't? At my hospital you could eat/drink anything you wanted in fact they encouraged it, were they not in the business of 'protecting' me? It's an outdated rule that hospitals should be moving away from. Even the ACOG has stated that women should be 'allowed' to drink clear liquids meaning, water, juice, sports drinks, etc. So why are so many women still being restricted to ice chips?

darkangel42 · April 2014

I had my first almost 6 years ago and wasn't aware ice chips were a thing. The staff were fine with my birth partner feeding me water and juice so I don't see why it would be different in the US years later.

Anywho, if you're going to choke on your own vomit, you're in the right place to get it sorted out quickly. How you'd do that though, I have no idea as they pump your stomach before putting you under for big stuff usually.

What a lovely turn this discussion took!

PrimRoseMama · April 2014

sschwege said:

PrimRoseMama said:

Actually, the nothing to eat rule is to prevent you from choking on your own vomit should their be complications...

I really wouldn't advise going against hospital policies on here. They are in place to protect you.

Then why do some hospitals 'allow' it and some don't? At my hospital you could eat/drink anything you wanted in fact they encouraged it, were they not in the business of 'protecting' me? It's an outdated rule that hospitals should be moving away from. Even the ACOG has stated that women should be 'allowed' to drink clear liquids meaning, water, juice, sports drinks, etc. So why are so many women still being restricted to ice chips?

I'm speaking generally. Unclench. It's irresponsible to advise people to ignore instructions from their providers or hospitals.

Justabean3 · April 2014

It also has to do with the fact your digestive system virtually stops during labor.

While they won't pump your stomach for an emergency c after an accident. This isn't optimal conditions to operate on when they are literally moving intestines around.

It just makes doctors jobs harder unnecessarily if you were to have an emergency c section.

Plus it is harder on your body to barfs solids while laboring as opposed to liquids

Nekotaru · April 2014

Our hospital said ice chips only, and they didn't want food for the same reason of if an emergency C-Section is needed, they don't want complications. Especially if for an emergency you need general anesthesia.

(Not sure how many have pets, but I do recall vets saying this is the same reason you aren't supposed to feed pets for "X" hours before spaying our neutering, because when they have to do a surgical procedure down there, they use anesthesia and don't want the puppies or kitties to choke or have complications too)

sschwege · April 2014

PrimRoseMama said:

PrimRoseMama said:

Actually, the nothing to eat rule is to prevent you from choking on your own vomit should their be complications... I really wouldn't advise going against hospital policies on here. They are in place to protect you.

Then why do some hospitals 'allow' it and some don't? At my hospital you could eat/drink anything you wanted in fact they encouraged it, were they not in the business of 'protecting' me? It's an outdated rule that hospitals should be moving away from. Even the ACOG has stated that women should be 'allowed' to drink clear liquids meaning, water, juice, sports drinks, etc. So why are so many women still being restricted to ice chips?
I'm speaking generally. Unclench. It's irresponsible to advise people to ignore instructions from their providers or hospitals.

It sends chills up my spine every time I hear a woman say, "My doctor won't allow..." so many people think they are bound by hospital policy and their provider. While some policies are in place to protect their patients, some are in place to protect themselves. Obstetrics has the second highest malpractice insurance of any specialty.

PrimRoseMama · April 2014

@joules235‌ : that's cool. You do you. However, it's not advisable or wise to advocate others disregard their medical instructions. No one goes into labor expecting complications or emergency C sections. However, shit happens. They don't tell you these things to torture you. It's so you don't have horrible reactions.

I puked bile during my labor with DS. That's after my entire lunch & an ice pop came back up. In addition to the pain of labor I felt awful puking my guts out. I can't imagine dinner on top of that. I went 12 hours without food & experienced very little fatigue. In fact the most tired I was was 48 hours later after the adrenaline worn off. Ice chips & Popsicles were alright.

So yeah-- sign your consent form. That's cool but I can't advise others to do the same.

NADA-H · April 2014

I never had electrolytes or gatorade, how do they taste?

spacepotatoes · April 2014

NADA-H said:

I never had electrolytes or gatorade, how do they taste?

Gatorade is the electrolytes. It's a sports drink. It comes in different flavours. It's always tasted a little salty to me but not bad. If you keep it cold, it's better.

abrazz · April 2014

I have never wanted anything to eat during labor. Granted I wasn't in labor for days. I assumed I couldn't eat anyway so I didn't even ask. If you can, then just labor at home as long as possible and eat what you want while you are there. If you can bring snacks then I would choose something that won't hurt your throat if you throw it up. I would choose jello and shakes. I am a circulator and we do c-sections. The majority of women vomit before the surgery begins. Also if you are having an emergency c-section and they sleep you, then they will put down an oral gastric tube and suck out your stomach contents so you have less risk of aspirating when they remove the breathing tube. If you aspirate then the acid "eats your lungs" and can be very bad. Of course these extreme cases may not happen all that often. It would be miserable to labor for days and I hope this time is much better and shorter

Jennys9 · April 2014

libbylu7 said: I've been told most places 'won't let you eat' because they don't want to clean up what you puke. So basically it's not about you keeping up your energy, it's about them. I like some of the suggestions on here!! I've also been told make sure it is something you wouldn't mind coming back up. :-)
The issue isn't bodily functions or clean up.

They won't let you eat in case there is a cord prolapse or other extreme situation which would require emergency general anesthesia.

Avoid meat & dairy. Meat and heavy foods which do not digest are the most life threatening in surgery because the anesthesiologist could be suctioning pieces of food instead of just stomach acid.

Just eat light foods and drinks which are easily digested (and won't sit like a rock in your stomach)- broth, toast, juice without pulp (apple juice was a perfect suggestion).

However, it is recommended you do not eat anything highly acidic such as citrus or tomatoes to avoid discomfort if you do vomit.

**google what is safe to eat before surgery or talk to a nurse anesthetist- most aligns well with what is recommended to eat in early labor**

beachbride5 · April 2014

a very close friend is an l&d nurse and while i can't remember exactly what horrific scenario she painted for me as to why i shouldn't eat during labor, it was terrifying. it was not a matter of cleaning up vomit, but a life threatening issue of some kind. although maybe it was aspirating vomit while laboring...

we are only allowed clear liquids or ice chips during active labor. i was allowed to eat something light when i was induced with my ds based on the time it would take to actually get labor going, but not when i got to the hospital with my water broken with dd.

i tend to agree that hospital policies suck, but they are there to prevent incidents that could potentially harm you or your baby. not worth the risk that late in the game, if you ask me.

shanaynerz · April 2014

Not sure if my answer will help, but I wanted to weigh in.

DH and I went for Mexican for dinner to try and get labour going (couldn't hurt!), and once we sat down I went into labour. It wasn't bad though, it just started, so I just squeezed DH's hand off and on and actually finished my whole burrito and everything! We went home to labour more, and by the time we got to the hospital I only laboured there for 3.5 hours, so never ate anything!

Ask your doctor for their advice, too. I believe my OB didn't even want me eating anything during labour at the hospital. Just fluids, and maybe crackers I think. Labour at home as long as possible if you can, then you can nibble on whatever you want really. So often they say the snacks you bring are for the SO!

ETA: words

stella_blu · April 2014

I pack granola bars and those squeeze packs of applesauce for kids. Easy for a quick boost. I also pack a few snacks for after delivery so I have my own things to eat after delivery when I'm starving at 2am and don't want to get out of bed of leave baby.

darkangel42 · April 2014

Good point @shanaynerz

I didn't bring snacks for my birth partner (my BFF) with my first and he spent the whole time whining about being hungry. Don't forget to feed the birth partners too!

Mommy623 · April 2014

My hospital will allow us gatorade, water, juice, jello, popsicles and gummy bears. Basically clear liquids. They also advised us to stay home and labor as long as possible at home so that we can have something to eat i.e pasta, bread or something with carbs for energy and like others have said something that won't hurt too much coming back up. I personally am ok with not eating until after birth, I'm pretty sure you're going to have a lot on your mind while giving birth things that are more important than not eating for a few hours. Though I do think they should have the cafeteria open or something open so that after birth women can eat in the middle of the night if they feel the need.

argonne · April 2014

During labor with DS, I was all about Haribo gummy bears. I also had almonds, gatorade and some granola. I only ate in the earlier stages of labor, though. Once my contractions got really tough my appetite went out the window.

darkangel42 · April 2014

I had another midwife visit yesterday and she gave me the birth-bag checklist for the centre - there's access to a microwave, crock-pot, toaster,fridge and freezer AND eating/drinking is encouraged with the warning that it may cause sickness so to choose wisely.

Knowing that, I'll be bringing frozen juice-pops and frozen smoothie-pops as well as water/juice for during and then probably just wait to go home to eat since you're normally allowed to go within a couple of hours - our baby celebration meal is going to be lasagna, no matter what time of day it is!

beachbride5 · April 2014

NADA-H said:

I never had electrolytes or gatorade, how do they taste?

you can also just drink smart water, which has electrolytes, minus the food coloring and chemical sugars.

hdchafin · April 2014

Lots of great suggestions! Thanks everyone!

awc1986 · April 2014

My hospital actually recommends bringing snacks such as fruit, nuts, seeds and energy drinks. I guess they're easily digested and give you energy. I'm gonna keep some bananas and gatorade on hand.

flerlgirl · April 2014

joules235 said:

PrimRoseMama said:

@joules235‌ : that's cool. You do you. However, it's not advisable or wise to advocate others disregard their medical instructions. No one goes into labor expecting complications or emergency C sections. However, shit happens. They don't tell you these things to torture you. It's so you don't have horrible reactions. I puked bile during my labor with DS. That's after my entire lunch & an ice pop came back up. In addition to the pain of labor I felt awful puking my guts out. I can't imagine dinner on top of that. I went 12 hours without food & experienced very little fatigue. In fact the most tired I was was 48 hours later after the adrenaline worn off. Ice chips & Popsicles were alright. So yeah-- sign your consent form. That's cool but I can't advise others to do the same.

I think it can be just as dangerous for somebody to just agree with the instructions just because a doctor/care provider said it. Everybody is different and everybody will have a different labor experience. Talk to your doctor, do you research and make a decision that works for you. Puking might be uncomfortable or even fucking awful but I will still choose to eat during labor if I want to. The benefits greatly outweigh the risks.

I guess I don't see the point of having a doctor at all if you're not going to listen to them. I understand that you should be smart about decisions and stay informed. But I did a lot of research before choosing my doctor so that I would be able to trust him for things like this. Same with my hospital. Do what works for you and it really doesn't matter to me if you choose to eat or not. I just don't understand why so many people have doctors they apparently don't trust.

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snacks during labor (also posted in natural birth)

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