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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

What's hospital food like now?

30 replies

faintpinkline · 04/04/2012 15:32

its six years since I had dd and I remember hospital food as being pleasant but very stodgy and filling - e.g huge portions pizza and chips followed by crumble and custard.

Is it still the same or has it been Jamie Oliverised in some way? (sort of hoping its still the same )

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NeedlesCuties · 04/04/2012 15:38

Wow, you're preparing in advance aren't you? I think you're on the August thread I'm on

Anyway, to answer your question I will tell you about the only hospital I've ever stayed in (which is in Northern Ireland and might not be similar to where you are).

When I had DS 2 years ago and when I was there again 3 months ago with hyperemesis the food was largely the same: mash potatoes, boiled-to-death veg, pork chops or shepards pie. Lots of toast or cornflakes. Got some nice jelly and ice cream or crumble for dessert.

I don't think they'd be getting awards any day soon, but the food was grand.

MrsTwinks · 04/04/2012 15:48

appauling. Or at least it was when I was recently in for my appendix. DH had to bring me in food as soon as I was able to eat again as it was frankly vile. Its no longer that stodge/comfort food but weird combinations for all the nutrients etc - stuff like pasta with massive chunks of potato in the sauce. It was really over or under cooked too which made it all worse

LIG1979 · 04/04/2012 16:01

I have who has worked in lots of hospitals and have lots experience of eating in hospital staff canteens (which provides the same food that goes to the wards) the quality of hospital food can vary alot from horrendous to not being too bad.

Personally I wouldn't take the risk and would make sure you have your own food to supplement it. I am also due in August and trying to not even think about the idea of giving birth yet

Original poster

faintpinkline · 04/04/2012 16:24

May need to be admitted for some extra tests (hoping not) so not really planning that far in advance

OP posts:

NeedlesCuties · 04/04/2012 16:55

faint I really do think the best thing is to bring snacks or food you know you like in with you in your bag.

Hospital do give 3 meals a day, but no snacks. Also if you don't like what they give you you'll have something to eat.

Hope you're ok.

PoppyS34wantsminieggs · 04/04/2012 17:17

I've been in since early hours of monday and the food's been ok. It's not the best, but it was edible. Portions are tiny though! But have had juice and fruit or yoghurt with meals and an endless supply of tea :o

FoeufFighter · 04/04/2012 17:23

I was in hospital a month ago and it was vile. I had better hospital food when I was in 20 years ago!! parts were overcooked, parts undercooked, lukewarm, tasteless, watery and very very small portions. I was truly disgusted with it. I was lucky and could nip to the shop in the lobby and buy a sandwich, but others were stuck with that.

When I am next in I will take my own and/or go to the coffee shop or get family to bring me in a takeaway!

shushpenfold · 04/04/2012 17:26

If it's still the same 11 1/2 years later in Nottingham, it still serves lamb mince and cabbage.....and if you're at the 'wrong end ' of the maternity unit everything else is snaffled by those who are located at the 'right end'!!!

mousebacon · 04/04/2012 17:28

Vile if you're in the north east! Utterly vile! I'll be going in to have dc2 in a few weeks and most of my hospital bag list revolves around food!

Take snacks and juice cartons so you can hope for the best but be prepared for the worst!

Mouse x

ProlificYoungGentlemenBreeder · 04/04/2012 19:56

I'm down south and the food was good! The porridge was amazing!
Had a good choice and because I gave birth in the middle of the night, a midwife brought tea, biscuits and cheese with crackers, salad, cake, jelly. After such a long labour I lapped it up!
With DS2, I really struggled to sleep so at 3 am a midwife brought me tea and biscuits.
My local midwifery unit are fab!

ProlificYoungGentlemenBreeder · 04/04/2012 19:58

I am clearly in the minority
It really was nice.
I took a load of lucozade and snacks for the actual labour

heliumballoon · 04/04/2012 19:59

Surprisingly good a couple of months ago. I actually looked forward to the meals.

lolajane2009 · 04/04/2012 20:00

in september when i had my son it was guess the dish in the maternity ward in birmingham. no where near enough calories if b/feeding so i lived on chocolate and sweets.

ironically two weeks later on the kids ward in the same hospital i was fed because i was breastfeeding and it was yummy

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 04/04/2012 20:00

When I was in after having DS2, a year ago, the food was quite nice (lamb casserole, roast dinner) - but tiny portions!
My mum was bringing me extra rations, and DH was buying me cheese and ham paninis from the hospital Costa.

Catsycat · 04/04/2012 20:09

Here in midlands, the news isn't good.

I'm still having flashbacks to the turkey casserole (it was just after christmas) I was served while in after having DD2. It was grey in appearance and taste. The salad I had right after my CS was nice (but I would have eaten my own leg then). The sandwiches were rather soggy, on 10p a loaf bread, but not inedible if you were hungry. Breakfast was the best bit, because there was normal cereal and toast or porridge, and you also had the option to go down to the day room and make your own. Puddings - think OAP home, you didn't need teeth to eat them, and they all tasted the same. They weren't shy with the cups of tea though, which was very nice.

The hospital staff, and the standard of care I received were amazing, but I did end up asking DH to bring in food as much as possible. Especially after that casserole.

OhdearNigel · 04/04/2012 20:12

Terrible here in Eastbourne/Hastings. When I gave birth I never got so much as a crumb of toast afterwards despite being there for 4 hours after birth and being offered it. My MIL was in the Conquest a couple of years ago for gallstones and had to have a low fat diet. She got a jacket potato and yoghurt for every meal for 10 days. I have sat on wards during prisoner escorts and the meals I have seen also looked revoltingly unappetising.

Take your own if you can is my advice

starlight36 · 04/04/2012 20:17

Absolutely disgusting when I was on the post-natal ward after having my DD 16 months ago. Initially I was so hungry and tired that I didn't mind! Knew i was ready to go home when I couldn't 't face it anymore!

Murtette · 04/04/2012 20:33

Terrible here in Bucks. Not only is the food vile with weird combinations (cottage pie with mash as the vegetable for example) & tepid but you have to order 24 hours in advance and so end up with what the person in that bed the day before ordered... this applies whether they may be veggie, coeliac etc etc. I've no idea what you do if you are the one who has food allergies and get given something ordered by someone who didn't have food allergies!

wheredidiputit · 04/04/2012 21:00

Awful.

But then the person the day before has to choose dinner for the next day. But as most women don't stay in for more then one day. Your having to chose for someone else.

Oh and they ring a bell for you to walk down the corridor to the kitchen to make tea and toast.

Chunkychicken · 04/04/2012 21:05

Terrible here too I'm afraid, although this was on a day surgery ward used as DM 'overflow' when I had my appendix out. All re-heated stuff out of a packet for your evening meal (sausages that were nothing like any sausage I'd ever tasted before - the texture was akin to dumplings!!! ) or really awful sandwiches (think slightly stale white bread & soggy fillings) & some sort of soup.

If I were you, I'd hope you don't have to stay in long & get a friend/relative to bring in supplies!!

Chunkychicken · 04/04/2012 21:07

^DM should read 'as' stupid predictive text...

brighthair · 04/04/2012 21:08

My friends was bad - dry ham sandwich and yoghurt. All she wanted was fruit!
Had a feeling it would be bad so I went to m&s and got her lots of fruit juice drinks, per packed fruit and salads

bushymcbush · 04/04/2012 21:17

Depends where you are. I was at Wigan recently and the food was really good. A week later I was at Halifax and the food was dire. Post code lottery,

BikeRunSki · 04/04/2012 21:22

Really not bad at all in Barnsley.

sharond101 · 04/04/2012 22:48

Porridge was like wall paper paste that had not been mixed properly.

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