Food suggestions for birth partner

[pinkflamingosinthepool]

Having done plentiful research into what to pack in my hospital bag I feel I have everything I need and more except one thing - everyone just says "food" or "snacks" for birth partner. But that just seems so vague and we have run out of energy to think about this!

If everything goes relatively smoothly with the early labour stage he can make/nip out and buy sandwiches to bring with us, but who knows in what circumstances we might be rushing off to the hospital! Does anyone have ideas of non-perishables that we could have in the bag that won't go off between now and whenever it might be that I pop?

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.nhs.uk/news/2009/03March/Pages/Eatingduringlabour.aspx&ved=0CCUQFjABahUKEwjxrcKrr9jHAhUDshQKHfMfC9s&usg=AFQjCNEDiir7rC6Uv6CItajEqvexCL6u7w&sig2=RjkbKWBno5auvmbS9ghonA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.nhs.uk/news/2009/03March/Pages/Eatingduringlabour.aspx&ved=0CCUQFjABahUKEwjxrcKrr9jHAhUDshQKHfMfC9s&usg=AFQjCNEDiir7rC6Uv6CItajEqvexCL6u7w&sig2=RjkbKWBno5auvmbS9ghonA

Thats from 2009 but even before then it was being questioned but results of controlled studies showed no increase risk re vommitted and surgery etc if women ate in labour. Plenty of evidence that it can actually help some women.

I think the best thing is to go with your body, if you feel the need to eat then do so. And as others have said jelly babies, kendle mint cake etc all good sources of energy. Things you can suck are also good during labour.

It was in London

Well they are not following up to date guidelines. There is quite a lot of stuff about it. Am surprised at a hospital in London following outdated policies... Though not really given it affects women... And childbirth, heaven forbid they let women be in control of their own bodies. Is it a teaching hospital?

I'll admit i did have a little giggle at the idea that it takes two adults to plan snacks for one of those adults to take for the hospital visit. If he cares he'll manage to think of something himself. He probably wont care.

My exp went to the canteen and had a fry up during my labour, all of his own accord, he had the idea all by himself. Like a real adult. I was dead jealous.

No, The Portland. Renowned for childbirth facilities. Sil had no complaints and was more than happy with advice and followed ( didn't need c section in the end). I did similar but 4 and 5 years ago. If people want to eat I assume they wouldn't actually stop you, but don't encourage as say the surgery really does have better results on emptier stomach as can cut smaller and get baby out easier with less in the way. Sounds logical.

DH didn't eat. He barely spoke .

The portend may have very nice facilities... Money help there but they are not following evidence based advice re birth. Fgs they still recommend practising to hold your breath so that you can hold your breath during the pushing stage of labour. Also not recommended. In fact much of their advice on writing birth plans etc is crap. Yes be flexible and am sure their midwife unit is very nice but they don't look geared up for supporting women in their choices... Unless they happen to be what the consultants/Dr's want.

Their info on eating during labour though does say that it's fine but to see what your midwife or Dr says at the time.

Why would eating during labour mean a larger incision for a c section, that may be affected by size and position of baby not if you have eaten a handful of jaffa cakes in labour... And all recent evidence shows no increased risk during an emergency c section if you have eaten during labour.

yes but surly don't think the issue people have had was that 'two people' were planning the snacks, but that OP was thinking of her DH when apparently she shouldn't bother, and he should be thinking of himself. which I just find bizarre. If OP is packing the hospital bag why should she pack it only for herself? seems a weird criticism. also the general snarkiness of some people on this thread has just been a bit off and bizarre.

and hey, great for you that your labour was such your exp could go and get a fry up. as I previously said (and others have), I didn't let my DP leave my side during labour and was in labour a long time. not all births are the same, some birthing partners don't have the freedom to go to a vending machine three floors away or whatever, so it helps to have snacks. just because they aren't going through the physical pain of labour doesn't mean it's fine for them to have little/no food/water just because dehydration/hunger isn't as 'bad' as labour pain.

don't think the issue people have had was that 'two people' were planning the snacks, but that OP was thinking of her DH when apparently she shouldn't bother, and he should be thinking of himself.

Yeah i was speaking for myself. Not for anyone else. my issue that i find a bit silly is that two adults are apparently sitting scratching their heads over what one of them will eat at some point of a certain day in the future. In actual fact i'll bet it isnt two people at all but the OP alone. I'll bet her DP hasnt even thought about it. Fair enough if thats what she wants to do but i tend to let other adults sort their own food.

But surely the point is it's not really up to others to decide what's important to think about or not. It's the OPs birth and if she wants to think about snacks why shouldn't she? Loads of replies have said how useful others found it to pack a few cereal bars or whatever so it's not like the idea is so left field as to deserve some of the more unpleasant comments that have been made. If people think it's a silly idea they could just not comment rather than choose to give a woman close to her first birth a cyber slapping.

Not sure if that comment is directed at me worried?

Couldn't agree more worriedmum

Hi surly wrote a long reply which my phone decided to send into the ether without posting but in short no not aimed at you just a general observation. I said up thread that I'm due any day and have been thinking/worrying a lot about what size and how many baby outfits to pack. I'm sure some would find that daft but not important but it's just possible that given the enormity and anxiety around giving birth (especially if like the OP it's your first time) some women may choose to focus on things that others may consider minor issues. Like I said it's the OPs birth and I don't really think it's necessary to judge her for what she chooses to think about. If it makes her feel more prepared so what? She didn't ask if she was being unreasonable to think about it she just asked for practical tips. I just think it's a shame that people choose to comment negatively on her and her partner simply for asking a question.

Thanks for responding worried i wasnt sure if it was in response to me as ws directly after my post and i didnt think i had been nasty in my posts. Thanks for clarifying.