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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

What should I take to eat / drink during childbirth? What did you have?

52 replies

HelloMama · 23/07/2004 10:03

Just getting some last minute things ready to take to the hospital and I've been wondering what we should take to eat during labour? We have got some boxed fruit juices and I was thinking of getting some things like dried apricots and yoghurt covered raisins, fruit and maybe some museli bars?

I would really appreciate knowing what everyone else took or what you wished you could have had if you had thought of it. Or maybe when push comes to shove (!) you just weren't hungry...? Please let me know!

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colinsmommy · 23/07/2004 15:42

Didn't have or want anything at all. Packed some snacks for DH since I figured I'd have a long labor, but I didn't and he didn't eat, either. But oh, how I loved my MIL, because when we called to say the baby had been born,they came to the hospital right away and brought a dozen donuts, and I think I had about 3.

Gem13 · 23/07/2004 16:05

Couldn't eat a thing but had 3 chocolate milkshakes at one go and loads of water.

Didn't realise I wasn't weeing in the pool (couldn't feel a thing beyond the pain) and hospital were none too pleased when I was transfered from the birthing unit to see that my bladder was visible!

If you drink loads, make sure you wee (somehow!).

xoz · 23/07/2004 16:17

I have to follow the trend and say that eating was the last thing on my mind during both my labours. All I wanted was the gas & air but I was STARVING as soon as it was all over.
Packed heaps of stuff for dd1's birth, dh ate some and I ate some after the birth, but for dd2 took virtually nothing except a pack of cereal bars for dh.

Original poster

HelloMama · 23/07/2004 16:22

Wow! Thanks for all the replies and messages of luck! Looks like my DH may end up snacking on all the food! PrettyCandles - I like the sound of your organisation re. the frozen quiche and custard tarts!!! Perfect! We have been told that the hospital positively encourages women to eat and drink during labour so it won't be a problem if I do feel hungry. I have got hold of some energy tablets and will make sure we have something prepared for after the birth. I appreciate all your advice very much.

OP posts:

vict17 · 23/07/2004 16:48

I only had water during labour and threw up loads. Wasn't offered anything afterwards, eventually someone asked me if I'd like a cup of tea and when i sadi yes they heated up half a cup left by dh!!!! i threw it up anyway, never offered toast and when they moved me to a wheelchair to get me to the ward I fainted I'd take chocolate next time I think!

mit · 23/07/2004 17:01

What an amazing hospital - encouraging you to eat....sounds like you've found a good one! I wasn't meant to eat anything according to hospital protocol but my wonderful doula sneaked in some cheese & nuts.....it really helped when I was feeling exhausted after a whole night of being in labout - by 6am I was pooped and starving! I didn't have any medications so I'm not sure how I would have felt...... I also took about 4 large bottles of Evian in with me, and some bendy straws so I could have a sip no matter what strange position I'd adopted.
Lots of luck, mit x

Hulababy · 23/07/2004 17:07

I didn't get to eat at all during the day either. I had some tea the night before in hospital (induction and all that) but then nothing until the morning after DD was born so a good 36 hours probably). I was told I couldn't eat and was only allowed a small amount of water too. Not sure if it was the epidural, the drugs or what. Had a cs in the end thouh and couldn't get anything to eat or drink afterwards either. A kindly MW finally gave in to me about 10am the next morning and brought me a cup of tea and a slice of toast. I was starving!

lucy5 · 23/07/2004 17:35

i dont remember drinking but im sure i must have. I definitely didnt feel like eating, but was ravenous afterwards and because it was late there was nothing around, so my hubby got me a bar of chocolate from the vending machine, we might have had a cup of tea! I also stockpiled cheese and crackers from the disgusting hospital menu.

kiwicath · 23/07/2004 17:58

Didn't even get time to put on my jarmies let alone have a snack. Lots of good ideas already mentioned though. You can't eat it but one thing I was very grateful for was my birthbuddy brought along one of those little handheld battery operated fans. When push came to .... push some more, I was "glowing" terribly and the fan worked like an air con - bliss!!! Very best of luck Ooh, and disposible knicks - they were a life saver.

tammybear · 23/07/2004 18:02

i had sips of water and one lucozade energy tablet. i went into labour early, and we were completely thrown off when she came, so i had nothing prepared A lesson learnt for the next one

Kayleigh · 23/07/2004 18:14

nothing to eat - but drank about 6 cartons of ribena kept cold in cool bag. It was august with ds1 and hottest day of the year. Even hotter in the hospital with no bloody windows open.

popsycal · 23/07/2004 20:03

i ate walkers balsamic vinegar posh crisps (can't remember the name - want to calls them sensations but that is wrong¬

i was induced and forgot not to eat - until the midwife came to find out what the stench was in the labour ward!

whizzz · 23/07/2004 20:21

Took Lucozade tablets & Kendal mint cake (well they take it up mountains for energy!!) but wasn't allowed anything other than a few sips of water. DH polished off a load of sarnies though!
Wasn't sick but was starving afterwards - the cup of tea & toast I got at around midnight was the best I'd ever tasted. !!
Good Luck

SofiaAmes · 23/07/2004 23:44

I so did not want food during labor, but was absolutely starving afterwards and the hospital had nothing. I found crushed ice and water really helpful during the labor. The ice cools you down and quenches your thirst. In the usa I think it's pretty standard to offer it to you when you are in labor.

mit · 23/07/2004 23:47

Hi Sofia - yep, in the USA crushed ice is standard (IME anyway!) - they have a machine in the hallway for dh to run and grab it!
mit x

mummytosteven · 23/07/2004 23:48

i had diamorphine and vomited during mine - but even before the diamorphine when I asked it would be OK if I had chocolate the midwife said -yes, that's fine, you'll vomit anyway, so you may as well have whatever you want now(!). Have you checked with your midwife if you can eat during labour - some units have differing policies on this, particularly if you are anything other than a low risk pg. Especially if you are bfing you may not find the hospital food adequate, so expect to be starving after the labour, and line up someone to bring you some decent food in, like extra butties and chocolate!

Linnet · 23/07/2004 23:50

In my first labour I didn't pack anything to eat, was given diamorphine and was sick so wouldn't have mattered if I'd eaten or not.

2nd labour I packed some dried apricots but didn't eat them during labour ate them afterwards though. When I went into labour I had some toast before leaving for the hospital and while there I didn't feel hungry at all but was ever so thirsty so I was glad I'd taken water bottles with me. You'll need plenty of fluids as delivery rooms are always so hot and Gas and Air I found is very dehydrating. When I was almost ready to push I started to feel really hungry and could actually hear my stomach rumbling. The midwife asked if I'd like some ice-cream but I just couldn't face the thought of actually eating anythng. Wasn't sick at all during 2nd labour but it is something that you should be aware might happen as everyone is different.

Does your maternity unit offer food? The information I got from my unit said that they had some cereals, yoghurts and toast was available if you wanted it during labour. All I really wanted was water.

lavender1 · 23/07/2004 23:51

During labour I had no pain relief for both children and didn't have the urge to eat as felt I would be sick, wanted chocolate in between pushes as really weak, so if you feel up to it, get dh/dp to have it at hand and if you don't need it then you can have it later

SofiaAmes · 24/07/2004 21:28

mit, here in england we had to bring our own in a cooler. And when we ran out, dh ran outside to the pub and begged for more.

prettycandles · 24/07/2004 21:39

I can't believe that so many were discouraged from eating! When I asked my hospital until what stage was I allowed to eat, they said I could eat whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. And when I was actually in labour, the midwives kept offering me food and being concerned if I didn't eat it! I was at UCH for both births.

haggis1 · 24/07/2004 21:57

During labour with ds, wasn't allowed to eat once in delivery room. Was induced, and they said I couldn't eat in case I was sectioned! Didn't really feel like it anyway, too caught up in the proceedings! Anyway DH kindly ate my dinner which an auxiliary brought into the delivery room for me(thoughtful!) After the birth, I only had gas&air, I got a slice of toast and a cup of tea, (best I've ever had!!)

Piffleoffagus · 24/07/2004 22:13

ummm gosh I only went to hospital when I was literally about to drop said kiddies out... no food taken at all... but that said if labour was lengthy or unforeseen circs etc, plan for easy unwrap cereal bars,that sort of thing...

Slinky · 24/07/2004 22:50

My hospital has always encouraged "eating during labour". When I was in labour with DD1 (almost 9) they came in with "sweet and sour chicken with rice" and although I wasn't very hungry, they actively encouraged me to some. A few hours went by, and the midwife was then presenting egg/cress and cheese/tomato sandwiches in front of me. Nibbled a few of those.

As it happened, by the time I got round to delivering DD1, midwives were concerned about my blood sugar as I showing signs of "ketosis" so eating during the labour did help me as I could have been a lot worse if not.

For DS1 - induced - but whilst waiting for induction I ate 2 blueberry muffins . DS1 arrived 1 hr and 15 mins after start of induction.

DD2 - barely made it into hospital let alone have time for something to eat

pupuce · 25/07/2004 16:46

Generally when you are in proper labour (active stages) you won't be hungry anyway... it is one sign that you are indeed in labour.

Rowlers · 25/07/2004 17:09

Can't remember much other than hospital water was warm and unpleasant. A big bottle of cold water was a godsend - I was induced and so had plenty of time waiting around for something to happen - lots of snacks were great for that stage - and for afterwards - I stayed in 6 days and choccy bars etc were a nice break from almost inedible hospital food. Also, if you like it, take a bottle of squash to make the hospital water more drinkable. I had an epidural - didn't want a painful experience (chicken, I know) and can thoroughy recommend it - I felt no pain at all once it kicked in and was able to enjoy the whole thing (I was petrified beforehand). I was sick a few times but really didn't care at all. Don't worry about that. Just make sure somone has a big bowl nearby as it can tend to come pretty fast! Hope it goes well for you!

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