Eating during labour

[MakiJ]

Hello  did anyone eat during labour? I don't know if I would even feel like eating but since I've had a big appetite throughout my pregnancy I thought I would ask your advice 

I was told no, in case they needed to carry out an emergency C-section. Long time ago though, so might be different now.

I couldn't face food at all, I had bags of lollies and cereal bars in case but nearly had a meltdown when DH cooked himself a sausage sandwich before we went to the birthing centre

God no, food and eating didn't even cross my mind. It was only a few hours after labour that I felt like eating again.

Yes! I had cheese and crackers for my lunch the second time around. I was starving!

My first labour was very very long but I wasn't hungry at all. I needed energy though so I had juice (this was also useful when they told me I wasn't allowed to eat because I might need a section). My other labours were also fairly long and I don't remember being hungry in either of them. I ate because I knew I needed energy rather than because I wanted to. All unmedicated so it wasn't drugs masking hunger.

Take something, so it's there if you need it, but things which are small and easy to snack on, rather than something 'proper'. Most hospitals have an m&s or equivalent anyway so your birth partner could nip out and get you something if need be. But definitely take some sort of drink with energy.

One labour was extremely long and I did not want to eat anything at all during it. Just had no appetite.

One labour was very long and I was constantly nibbling and munching throughout.

One labour so short and intense that I had no chance to eat.

Drank masses of water throughout each labour, though, and was utterly ravenous after each labour. Pack food for after!

Not a chance. I went into hard labour and from the start had less than a minute between contractions though so I guess everyone's different. Take something in your hospital bag for afterwards though - you aren't necessarily fed.
Also half frozen bottles of water that you top up to have cold water are nice.

Not during established labour, no. When you have your first twinges with your first baby and think you are in labour, you might want something small. When shit gets real, absolutely not. However, pack snacks in your bag because your appetite may return with a vengence as soon as baby is out. I was scoffing cookies while the midwife stitched me up

I was absolutely starving and my labour was long and they wouldn't let me eat, I think because I'd had an epidural and ended up with an EMCS. I kept throwing up too but that was normal for me in pregnancy when I was hungry but they seemed bothered by it. So my advice would be to eat lots in the early stages if you can!

Yes! With my first I was sitting up eating a chicken salad sandwich at 8cm dilated, the midwife wasn't happy about it, and my sister in law (at the time)was my birthing partner and she was furious with me because 3 months before she had had her son who took 2 days to come and she was pushing for 6 hrs lol she was a tad bitter for weeks after lol

I was encouraged by the midwife to drink sugary drinks and eat jelly babies between contractions to keep my energy levels up. I managed a sip here and there, and a handful of sweets. I don't think I could have faced actual food. Afterwards however, I'm was ravenous!

My labour was fast and intense so I didn't even think about eating. However I have never been so thirsty in my life. I must have drunk pints and pints. I didn't bother with the gas and air most of the time because of how dry it made me.

I sucked on Quavers and had a few ice lollies the last time. I actually think they really helped.

Aww thank you all for swift response and advice, amazing I'm packing my hospital bag

My midwife tried to feed me but i threw it up then couldnt face anything, even water

I ate a cereal bar but threw it straight back up. Yes to being starving afterwards though!

I did eat but threw it up...

I've got a massive appetite & ate like a horse throughout my pregnancy (and before that to be honest!). I can honestly say food didn't cross my mind at all during labour and even afterwards I was really thirsty but not hungry at all.

Fizzy haribo helped give me an energy boost while in labour as I really didn't feel like eating (had bought granola bars but couldn't stomach the idea). Then the gas and air made me throw up so it was just sips of water after that.

I'd take snacks/chocolate etc for afterwards in case you're stuck on the ward with the grim hospital food. You'll need the energy then, especially if you want to breastfeed.

Good luck!

I had a few jelly babies which give a little energy boost, and some sips of fruit juice. You probably won't want much.

HOWEVER, you will probably be starving afterwards, so do pack some high-energy snacks such as cereal bars, nuts, biscuits etc.

As others have said, I wasn't allowed to eat but managed to persuade the midlife to let me have Ribena to keep my energy up. It was a very long labour though and it will hopefully not be an issue as you'll be too busy giving birth!

I was starving once my pain relief kicked in. Was told the doctors would rather I didn't eat but the midwife equally would rather I kept my energy up so she told me to find a happy medium and not eat anything heavy. I had pieces of cereal bars throughout the day, lots of water and lots of Lucozade Sport (though I threw up most of the sports drink immediately after giving birth!)

They brought me tea and toast after and I was hungry and thirsty but not that fussed by it. Everyone had told me it would be the best meal ever but it most certainly was not!

In early labour with my second as had two or three contractions every ten mins for a while and they were fine. No chance in proper labour with both kids. Puked both times also

Good deal of people are sick during labour. This is why they discorrage you from eating during.

I drank huge quantities of icy water but didn't feel like eating. I had a bagel when my waters broke and then that was me. I was starting after (and my labour was only 4 hours), made DH phone for a curry before we phoned our families to let them know!

I'd have cereal bars and maybe some rich tea biscuits and a banan on hand in case you can stomach something, though.

I had loads of boiled sweets on hand last time. No idea why, I think a few people suggested it. I don't particularly like boiled sweets and I didn't suddenly develop a desire for them in labour!