Comments on: In Labor? You Can Eat!

By: mamanomnom

mamanomnom — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:30:26 +0000

It seems to me that most women stop feeling hungry by the time they’re in very heavy labor. I ate what I want when I wanted, which led to a nice, protein and starch-rich breakfast during early labor. After I lost my appetite, I drank protein water to try and keep my energy up. When I got to the point that I vomited, all that was left was strawberry protein water.

After labor, I was more famished that I could remember ever having been. The nurse brought me a boxed lunch from the fridge, and as soon as I was finished I requested another, along with an entire live cow to munch on.

By: Julie

Julie — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 06:13:54 +0000

Wow, that is awesome news. I kind of thought that rule would change sooner or later.

Since I had to have a c-section, I never went through the ice chip thing. But I had read that eating was most likely safer than previously thought.

By: Erin M.

Erin M. — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:43:07 +0000

As an US Expat in New Zealand who did most of her laboring at home and transferred to hospital during pushing, I loved being able to eat and drink as I wanted during labor. Especially since my labor was 32 hours long! I mostly stuck to wheat toast, honey and juice chips / water, but it was exactly what I needed. And it kept the hospital from having to give me too many IV fluids because there’s little risk of dehydration when you’re allowed to drink during labor (unless you’re one of the unlucky few who’s bodies don’t accept anything in labor).

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:24:23 +0000

Oh, well that’s good news! I was in labor for 23 hours, and I did get hungry. I didn’t want a heavy meal, but a popsicle, something, anything to get my blood sugar up.

I too, sent my family for a burger after I slept a couple hours after labor, but I think my tastes were off because it tasted like sawdust. Very disappointing!

By: Lorry

Lorry — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:46:07 +0000

I’m an American in Denmark, and when I was pregnant, my Danish wasn’t that good, so I got most of my info and support from American message boards online. I went in with a list of questions for my midwife, and when I asked her if I could eat during labor, she looked at me like I had two heads and said, “of course, if you want to!” After my emergency cesarean, there was no concerns about letting me eat as much as I wanted as soon as I wanted, either. I was surprised to learn from my stateside friends that it was normal to be restricted to liquids until first flatus. Kinda makes me want to finish all my birthing over here before I move back….

By: Stacy McKenna Seip

Stacy McKenna Seip — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:13:37 +0000

My mom’s digestive tract purged itself of all contents in every way possible when her labor started with me (36 years ago) so apparently her system was all about getting it all out of the way, just in case. When I had my son, I had spent 4 days in high risk maternity first, and while I wasn’t allowed solids, I was allowed fluids. Sadly, the only thing the hospital had available at 3 in the morning was jello or fruit juice… and I wanted protein. Thankfully, some incredibly good friends who lived up the street happened to have some matzo ball soup in the fridge so they brought me some (broth only) and I swear it was the best tasting soup EVER. I can’t imagine how cranky/exhausted I would have been on only ice chips.

By: RHA

RHA — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:07:00 +0000

Sounds like it would be a welcome change, at least to be able to snack a little. I think I’m going to need to stick with ice chips myself though – I’m trying for a VBAC this time. While things *should* be fine, if I end up needing another c-section the food thing will probably be a concern. I should ask my midwife about what she thinks and the hospital guidelines (I’m in Canada, with a registered midwife, planning to give birth in a hospital).