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Original poster

Homebirthers - what food to have in for you/partner/midwives?

29 replies

workingtitle · 01/09/2013 12:22

Just working out what we'll need. The midwives have already given us a rider (bacon sandwiches and cake!) but I want to make sure we have lots of options for during/after. Anything I should add to my list..?

Fruit (melon, apple, raspberries)
Bread for toast/bacon sarnies
Pasta (maybe veg lasagne?)
Cheese & biscuits
Greek yogurt & honey
Pizza
Cereal
Haribo

Homemade:
Choc muffins
Banana bread
Granola bars

Drinks:
Tea
Coffee
Coconut water

OP posts:
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princesscupcakemummyb · 01/09/2013 14:16

hi workingtitle intresting list il be watching this as i am also hoping for a home birth and no idea what refreshments food/snacks to do as theirs no specification from the midwives

Suttonmum1 · 01/09/2013 14:23

Wouldn't stress over it too much. Mine was:
Midwife arrives. Midwife has a look. Midwife says you can push, baby is born. 2nd midwife had not arrived before baby was out. Midwife was in house at most 20 mins before baby was out.

Much more relaxed at home.

Original poster
workingtitle · 01/09/2013 14:44

That sounds great, Sutton--super quick birth! I'm not sure I can guarantee that will happen for me, especially as it's baby no 1...
princesscupcakemummyb, have you thought what you might like to eat?

OP posts:
WentOnABearHunt · 01/09/2013 16:17

I have also been thinking about this. was thinking about baking some cakes, lots of biscuits etc. :) lots of juice and tea/coffee etc. Bottle of champers on ice lol :)

Hawkmoth · 01/09/2013 16:21

Nothing that they can't get themselves! Mine brought their own strangely flavoured bottled water. They may also have had a brew but I honestly have no idea.

LillyNotOfTheValley · 01/09/2013 16:48

Your list is good as it is, do not forget about yourself though.
I may add a veggie tray + dipping sauce for quick and easy snacks.

Original poster
workingtitle · 01/09/2013 17:16

Champagne - of course! I don't want to forget that. I've been craving a margarita recently, so might make sure we have everything to make one.

Good idea about veggies plus dips, Lilly - that would work well

OP posts:
jammiecat · 01/09/2013 19:38

For yourself I would make sure you have some full sugar drinks. When I was in labour with my DS I couldn't face eating and the midwife was concerned about my body not having enough sugar as I hadn't eaten which can slow labour down. (I had ketones in my urine which can be an indication your body is using protein rather than carbs for energy) However, I found I could drink so was able to get my sugar levels up (I had caprisun pouches for the hospital but whatever takes your fancy).

HorryIsUpduffed · 01/09/2013 20:37

Ooh, interesting, and marking place.

There's often home baking here and mw definitely approves. I have her tea order on our noticeboard so DH can be dispatched to get t'kettle on without a lot of faffing about.

In my previous labours I haven't been particularly fussy about food, but postnatally it was like the worst pregnancy or premenstrual cravings ever. I wanted crunchy things, not the lovingly prepared and frozen casseroles/curries etc. I didn't want any more fucking toast or sandwiches. I'd have cheerfully murdered someone for fresh fruit. I ate nine KitKats and six ginger cake bars in 48h on p-n ward Grin

So my post natal standby list will be carrot sticks, peppery lettuce, apples, satsumas, etc (due early Nov), maybe grilled chicken or salmon. And I'm learning how to make ginger cake.

Original poster
workingtitle · 01/09/2013 20:49

Jammiecat that's a really good point about sugary drinks. I can imagine not wanting to eat and I wouldn't normally drink sugary drinks so will add to the list.
Horny, your post made me laugh. I am adding cruncy veg to the list--will prep some carrot sticks, celery, peppers.

OP posts:
Truffkin · 01/09/2013 21:46

Get some Capri Suns in the freezer. Food of the Gods Grin

UpTheFRIGGinDuff · 02/09/2013 11:43

Jesus...I was just going to leave some biscuits out next to the kettle...

Really don't think the midwives will be expecting a buffet Grin

Original poster
workingtitle · 02/09/2013 13:01

UpTheFRIGGinDuff the first thing the midwife said way back at my booking in when I mentioned HB - we expect bacon sandwiches and cake Grin Most of the rest is for me...

OP posts:
MummyJetsetter · 02/09/2013 14:28

I would probably just get those boxes of cupcakes and crispy cakes from morrisons and plenty of drinks for everyone. All I wanted in labour was lucozade and water and after I didn't want anything. It's hard to do anything too fresh as you don't know when labour will start. Think she might have been joking about bacon sandwiches! x

motherinferior · 02/09/2013 14:31

Chocolate.

I really wouldn't worry about it. Don't bother baking. Unless you want to.

UpTheFRIGGinDuff · 02/09/2013 14:32

Well they certainly get any bacon sandwiches here,we're vegetarian Wink

Biscuits will do for the MW,and I'm never hungry during labour-afterwards I'll send DP out to get me whatever I fancy after the mandatory tea and toast!

UpTheFRIGGinDuff · 02/09/2013 14:34

Certainly *wont

StyleManual · 02/09/2013 15:19

To keep your energy levels up I recommend these
lucozade gels My DH uses them on his long bike rides and they were really good. Really kept my energy up when I couldn't face eating real food. I also had some kind of energy drink that you make with a powder. It was DH's job to keep me topped up and he did a mega job. A combination of hypnobirthing and energy drinks meant I had enough energy left for the hard bit at the end!
Don't share them with the midwives though. They might like real food.

RakeABedOfTyneFilth · 02/09/2013 15:31

For the midwives, we've got lots of biscuits in (a big selection tin) and we'll make sure there is bread for toast. I've got three of those gels in amongst the birthing box, and four 250ml milkshake drinks in the freezer (hopefully they'll defrost quick enough if I get them out when cx start!).

We have a half bottle of bubbly for after the birth, and DH has a shopping list for my post-birth platter - all the cheeses, pate, a runny egg with soldiers...

SaucyJack · 02/09/2013 15:49

Unless you have some strange feeder compulsion I seriously wouldn't worry.

They are paid professionals who are there to do a job, not dinner guests.

TwoStepsBeyond · 02/09/2013 16:30

Suttonmum, are you me? That was exactly how DD was born, the midwife was on her way to a meal out with friends when she got the call and still managed to make it on time! I wouldn't go to too much trouble OP, the MWs may have other plans.

I never considered providing food for them tbh, there was tea and biscuits, but they are at work, so presumably if their shift overlaps with meal times they will bring sandwiches?! DS2 was born at home, MW arrived about 8pm and was done by 2am - I presume she wouldn't normally have had a meal or anything other than a couple of biccies at that time of night.

Given that I was only offered 1 measly slice of toast with no jam when I had DS1 in hospital I didn't think that providing refreshments was part of the deal.

KirjavaTheCat · 02/09/2013 16:37

I've been thinking of this as well, and had only come up with buying some nice biscuits for the jar Grin

I think I'll ask next MW appointment. Tbh I think I'll just make sure the cupboards are stocked and the fridge is full of drinks and snacks.

BlackholesAndRevelations · 02/09/2013 17:32

Lol uptheFRIGGINduff! Surely you're not expected to put on a banquet for your midwives?! Tea and biscuits of course but veggie lasagne, really? Grin

BlackholesAndRevelations · 02/09/2013 17:35

Oh and I second the drinks for you; I had still lucizade by the gallon! Afterwards I hadn't realised how hungry I was (having not eaten for days!) and I SCOFFED a grilled chicken salad thinking it was the single most delicious thing I'd ever eaten! Good old nhs hospital meals!

RunningBear78 · 02/09/2013 17:56

Oh balls ... I hadn't thought about this! We've packed a 'just in case' bag of food to take to hospital (first baby and keep changing my mind about being at home) but hadn't thought about fuelling the midwives!

We have enough tea to drown in but are generally a biscuit free house. DH would eat any stores before the mw found them Hmm but I guess it would be nice to get something in for them. Will ask when mw comes to visit at home just in case.