Currently in labour. What to cook DH?

[MummaBear4321]

I am 40+3 and I think I am in slow early labour. Contractions about 9 minutes apart, have been going since about 7am. Sometimes they widen to 11 minutes for a while, sometimes back to 7 for an hour or so, but they are mildly painful. I am at home, DH is in work, DD is in nursery. On my last labour I was having contractions for 36 hours, 25 of which were in hospital. Poor DH only brought snack bars and crisps with him. I was in so much panic and pain I begged him not to leave me to go to the canteen. He was absolutely falling apart with hunger by the time DD arrived. I sent him home 2 hours after she was born because he was a shell of a man.

This time around I want to be prepared and I need to stay upright to bring these contractions on, so I am going to cook. What do you think I should cook that we can bring in in tubs, he can eat cold, but will be a sort of dinner substitute? Pasta of some form?

Pesto pasta with shredded salami or ham and tomatoes tastes okay cold. If you have a flask, heat up a tin of soup as well.

However surely he could go and get a big lunch now? I think it depends if you're looking for a distraction or not? I made a load of cakes for dc1's preschool art show whilst in early labour with dc2.

Ds arrived on dh 40th birthday , I was adamant he wasn't coming 3 weeks early and made a cheesecake and a birthday cake while in labour with ds! If it's keeping you occupied and upright go for it 😀 I'd do pasta or noodle salad either in coolpack or a thermos and crackers, cheese, fruit and cereal bars.
Good luck

Bake some bread and cake. Maybe some pizza? You can punch the dough a few times and squeezing it during a contraction won’t be harmful. Just be aware your contraction timing when going close to the oven. You don’t want to get burnt.

FFS he’s a grown man, not a toddler and if going a few hours without food turns him into a ‘shell of a man’ I dread to think how he copes with life’s ups and downs.

Those egg muffins would be good. Beat eggs, salt, pepper and whatever you've got in the cupboards...cheese, ham, chopped onion, grated carrot, put in cupcake cases/muffin tin and put in the oven.

@LaLaLandIsNoFun

FFS he’s a grown man, not a toddler and if going a few hours without food turns him into a ‘shell of a man’ I dread to think how he copes with life’s ups and downs.

Last time it wasnt a few hours. It was from a sunday evening at about 6 through to a tuesday morning at 4am. I am not saying he was worse off than me. It's just one less thing to worry about if I bring the food. It means he doesnt have to leave the room. Of course he can pick up a sandwich. He isnt a moron. He is actually a brilliant DH. I am just trying to learn from my last labour, and I dont want to sit on my butt and risk these contractions fizzling out.

I cang believe how big of a deal this seems to be to some people. I was just looking for food that keeps well in a tub. I regret asking now. Some people are taking things a little seriously.

Make him a sandwich, then have yourself a nice bath!

Tuna sweetcorn and mayo pasta is great for keeping in a tub and eating cold.

You could do some sandwiches, make some sausage rolls or some pasties if you have the stuff in. Good luck OP, I hope your little one is with you soon xx

This is brilliant. I decided to make flapjacks when I was in labour. Problem is my dh wasnt at work at the time. He decided to interfere and that we should DOUBLE the recipie. Cue pregnancy meltdown from me

Op wants a distraction and needs to stay on her feet. I'm sure her dh hasn't demanded she cook him lunch!

I'm thinking pasta or soup op, if you have a means to keep it warm. He could take sandwiches to go with it.

@FlyNow

I think everyone’s missing the point - OP’s DH is at work, she wants to be upright, it’s something to do.

If that was the case I'm sure she'd say that instead of all the stuff about how he was a shell of a man?

I’d be a shell of a woman after 6 hours of not eating let alone a whole day, I don’t think that makes me incapable!

I like roasted veg, cous cous or quinoa and feta cheese with olive oil and balsamic dressing. You can also add olives if he likes them. It's nice warm or cold (but does require feta and veg etc which you may not have in!).

My initial reaction was wtf. But reading your posts I get it.

Pasta salad type thing. Eaten cold. Easy. Won't keep you on your feet for long though. You'll definitely have to make cake too .

Do you have a food flask OP?

Crikey, people are so quick to jump on people.

OP says SHE WANTS to cook. She has chosen this activity to keep occupied in early labour and might as well do something useful. It's a nice thing to do.

You've got some good ideas, OP.

I'd bake a cake probably because that would keep me busy.

Just don't do anything to beany or windy....you don't want him parping away.

*too beany

I'd do a big winter soup, take it in the thermos. It's filling and warming and in labour I may have managed to drink a bit too! (I couldn't stand eating during labour).
I get it, it's a good distraction and useful to do, as well as keeping you upright.

I can’t believe some of these responses to a labouring woman.

OP if you want to cook then go ahead. Keep it simple and take care.

I wouldn't be assuming the second labour will be as slow as the first, personally! .

If you want to make a few snacks to take along what about a fruit/nut bar/flapjack (although, if you have a good recipe, please post as I've yet to find a good one). they will travel well and be good for snacking.

We took a tuna pasta for DH: preferred pasta shapes although twirls/macaroni type ones work best I think, mixed with tuna, very finely chopped onion, chopped gherkins, chopped mixed peppers. Dressing was mayo mixed with some milk, olive oil, salt, pepper and and a few mixed herbs. Take extra dressing on the side as it tends to dry out a bit so taste is still good but if, like me, you don't like the dryness, having dressing with you is a good move.

Soup in a flask will stay hot for about 12 hours.

I always made flapjack & tea bread - kept everyone going & good for while bf too.

Dont exhaust yourself though hopefully you’ll be needing all your energy soon

Pasta definitely. Can eat it hot or cold. Brownies or flapjacks are also good for standing around cooking. Tortillas are also nice hot or cold (a spanish potato thing - means you can stand or sit peeling potatoes for a while too)

Good luck and hope baby arrives soon!

Cous cous, rice, pasta... all things I'd put in a tub (don't forget cutlery!).

Flapjacks and/or snacks for you during/after would also be great. Flapjacks/oats are great for energy, easy to eat and boost milk production (if you're planning to breastfeed).

... I made the best apple crumble I've ever eaten when I was in labour (or perhaps I just think that because my body needed to devour it for the calories... 🤣). I wouldn't hesitate to cook again during my next labour!

Curry is yummy cold. And always better tha next day. Or a big batch of chilli and rice.

Or cake, can't go wrong with cake. A waddle down to the corner shop for sports drinks and snacks like crisps, crackers etc would be good too, snacks for labour are most certainly essential. Good luck!! I hope things get moving soon!!

Pasta sounds good, shapes not spahgetti. Eats as well cold as hot and he might have access to a microwave, so typperware it when done!

I hope it's enough to keep you upright and occupied enough!

Sorry if you took my post as a dig at you or your DH OP, I didn't mean it that way. I just figure if you can ever make and eat an entire cake then it's now

Is this one of those old MN threads from 1950 that someone has just found and added a comment to bump it on???

This is a joke right?
Don't forget a ribbon for your hair and lippy during labour.....