Eating in labour - what would you choose?

[NumptyMum]

Since I had DS my local hospital has closed and I'm going to another one - and they now allow you to eat during labour. Now from what I remember, labour isn't conducive to eating (hot, bothered and feeling hugely constipated) but if I could eat something, what would others suggest, what did you wish you could have had? I'm planning on taking glucose sweets and isotonic drinks, am wondering whether grapes will be nice or not... anything else?

I've also heard that the hospital food is rotten, and that the traditional post-labour tea and toast has been replaced by tea and a scone so suggestions for what to take and eat afterwards might help too!

Not that I'm food-obsessed .

My contractions were so close together I had to go for small quantities... Sunflower seeds were great, high energy, small handfuls. Cereal bars - but nutrigrain rather than anything too chewy. And bottles of chilled squash (yes, I made DH bring a cool bag full of the bottles I'd made up and kept in the fridge) although it was summer, but all hospitals I've ever been in are like a sauna inside. And bananas. Couldn't face apples, too chewy again. Grapes sound good but need you to know when you're going into labour a bit more accurately! Good luck. And over 27 hours, I did need food!!

I went into hospital as late as possible and nothing puts me off eating so I made fish fingers and chips 12 hours into labour . It did take a while to eat though as I had to keep stopping for contractions!

But in hospital I would definately second fruit or cereal bars.

Unless you are like me and could probably put away a pizza .

When I was in labour my parents came to visit me at the hospital... they went out to get DH a sandwich, Dad got chatting with the local baker who then sent him back with lots of patisserie for me - to keep my strength up It worked!

But more seriously, the best thing I ate during a long, long labour was lots of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries - very refreshing, and with the added benefit that my first trip to the loo post partum wasn't quite as traumatic as it could have been. TMI, I know.

I had a load of cereal bars, I think I managed about a third of the first bar and that was all. Next time I would definitely take glucose sweets or maybe some kendal mint cake (yummm) something with lots of energy but melt-in-the-mouth.

Would you consider a homebirth?
Or stay at home as long as possible!
I have cooked boeuf bourgignon with red win for my clients when in labour.
I also make a 'labour-ade' which I freeze and take into hospital.
Its bad practice for a hospital not to allow women to eat in labour, I would challenge this.
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/143640.php
www2.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab003930.html
Selina

Sorry, just realised you said this hospital does allow you to eat in labour, should have read your message more carefully!
S

I'm opting for hospital birth as we live in a studio flat in converted townhouse with 7 other flats, and I don't think it would be conducive to home birth (though given the option I'll stay home as long as I can). On the plus side, the hospital has newly revamped labour wards with 2 birth pools, ensuite bathrooms with showers (don't like the idea of a bath in labour) and midwives are trained in aromatherapy and help with active birth. So, assuming I avoid induction, I'm hoping my hospital experience will be better than last time. Other than the food, it seems - I'm really going to miss that tea and toast!

Fruit sounds like a good suggestion, though DH is worried that carting bags about for labour might make it end up as a smoothie... but I was wondering whether I should have carbs too? Or are fruit and glucose/quick energy sources better?

There has been research published recently to show pomegranetes help contractions, so you could take in a few of them!
I think carbs is a good idea, whatever you fancy really!
I think gatorade is better than lucozade to drink.
S

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm in two minds about isotonic drinks as I don't really like fizzy drinks - may just opt for squash in the end. Although with the amount of fruit I may take, perhaps a glass of Pimms might be nice

Recipe for Labur ade from Mother care

In blender mix
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup honey (to taste)
1/4 tsp salt
2 calcium/magnesium tablets, crushed
Water to make 4 cups

Mix well and drink or freeze (to suck as an iceblock).

Ad some rescue remedy too.
Nothing wrng with a glass of Pimms (or wine) in labour I reckon!
S x

Honey yogurt smoothie was what worked for me when I got light headed. Had also packed a more fruity berry smoothie though so I had a choice!

Was given loads of tea and huge pile of toast afterwards - with marmite. Would be most unhappy with a scone! Feeling quite enraged at the very thought. If you birth a baby, you deserve hot, buttery toast.

How ridiculous that you can't eat in labour! I was induced and didn't get wheeled off for my EMCS until 24 hours later... I ate plenty while I was in hospital: chocolate, crisps, anything I fancied I'd send the OH to the shop for it.

After a well timed epidural I managed a chicken sandwich, two mini mars bars and a gatorade - slept for two hours then on with the show!

Babylan: I'm allowed to eat during labour as the policy has changed since I had DS - but knowing what it's like I'm not sure what I'll tolerate or WANT to eat, so was looking for suggestions. Don't think I'd like chocolate though, luckily I can't stand eating it when I'm hot and I know I'll be roasting (summer, in hospital, in labour...) so I'm more likely to go for the raspberries etc. But depending on how long it goes on I might want a sandwich, perhaps...

Again, thanks for all the ideas!

Oh and Throm - my sentiments exactly! For some reason I'm really cross about not getting my toast afterwards . Met another Mum last night who gave birth at same hospital last month, she was given scone, and they did give jam BUT it was all fuzzy. Not sure how toast is less 'health & safety' than scone with fuzzy jam

Chocolate! Didn't eat during labour, but wolfed down a Snickers immediately after. Don't put up with a poxy scone and fuzzy jam, take something yummy!

Off topic slightly, but after dd was born by em cs I hadn't eaten for 2 days (couldn't eat in labour, made me vomit). I was starving. They wouldn't let me eat though as I was post-op. They brought dh some food and stood over him to make sure he didn't share. I should have packed something and had it later when they weren't looking. 10hrs post-op I asked for the millionth time for food and they offered....

Prunes.

I was home 2 hours later and eating fish and chips.

first time round I refused to leave for the hospital without having my porridge and toast for breakfast. this despite having phoned the hospital and been told that they thought I ought to come straight in. (only just got there in time - and was still starving afterwards!)

Second time around I had a home birth and managed a three course meal while in established labour (contractions every 3-5 minutes!) I can't exactly rember what I ate for the first two courses but the pudding was a very rich and yummy magic chocolate pudding! and then gave birth less than two hours later. The midwife then demanded Tea and toast!

ShowOfHands that's terrible. I had an ElCs at 11am and was eating toast by 5pm.

Re: toast health and safety - some trusts are banning toasters as burnt toast sets the fire alarms off so often and the fire service are obliged to come out which is fairly expensive amongst other things. Hence the scones as an alternative I suspect....

But you need toast after giving birth! I'd imagine the scones to be the cheap and nasty ones that leave a horrid feeling in your mouth....

I've packed a selection of cereal bars, dried apricots, fruit and nut mix, penguins, water and will add bananas at the last minute

Oh and last time I ate absolutely everything I took (similar items) so have increased quantities this time. Bag is quite heavy...

SOH - - can't believe you were denied tea and toast or ANY food for 10hrs after your op! I only thought it was an issue if GA used? I had a spinal after DS (couldn't bear internal stitches without) and was offered tea and toast around 2hrs afterwards; felt sick as a pig though and gave it to DH (he was starving too!). Only enjoyed the tea and toast once on the ward... I can understand the issue re toast burning, but a scone is no substitute. Not unless it's covered in cream and jam, and then it might be a bit TOO much.

Perhaps chocolate afterwards would be a good choice...

I ate loads of food about one hour after a GA op and only felt slightly nauseous (my own fault). I really don't get why they left you.

once labour gets started in earnest you wont want to eat - in early labour is good idea to trog something though (though hope you're at home at that point - I had toast and grapes when in early labour with DS2). Post birth I was ravenous - had biscuits, toast, tea and some lucozade type drinks. And a couple of cereal bars. Straws and bottles of water are good idea for during labour.

I only had a spinal. They were just bastards tbh. The kitchens were closed and they couldn't be arsed. They were atrocious, absolutely disgustingly bad and I dread the idea of ever having another because of it.

I had a ga in January for a minor op. Had tea and toast about 10 minutes after coming round. I suspect there was no reason for them not bringing me food other than they couldn't make time for it.