I don't care how some women try and sugarcoat it -- giving birth to a baby is hard work and requires a lot of energy, which is something I really didn't have much left of after laboring for nearly 24 hours with my son.
I was exhausted. I was overwhelmed. And you know what else? I was hungry as hell. And that's probably why I found myself nodding my head in agreement when I read an article about eating during labor being a good thing over at BabyCenter Blog today.
The author of the post, Denise Cortes, talked about how by the time she delivered her son, she was craving a sandwich so bad she could hardly stand it. And I think she summed up just how badly women in labor could really use a little bit of extra nourishment by saying, "Birthing women cannot survive on ice chips alone."
(Amen, girl -- you're preachin' to the choir here.)
I can't remember exactly how far along I was in labor before my doctor finally decided I would probably be able to handle things a lot better if I had a snack. (God bless her.)
She wound up ordering me a bowl of chicken broth, and let me just tell you -- I'm not sure that anyone on the face of this earth ever enjoyed a serving of chicken broth more. It tasted like pure heaven -- and I swear the minute it went down my throat, I felt the life coming back into my body (or something equally as dramatic).
I'm serious, ladies, it was like the nectar of the gods -- and I'm not sure I would've made it through the rest of the huffing and puffing and pushing if I hadn't been allowed to eat something.
Bottom line, if you find yourself having visions of sinking your teeth into the most delicious slice of pizza you've ever tasted (or whatever) in the middle of labor, don't be afraid to speak up and ask for a snack. Believe me -- something as simple as a bowl of chicken broth just might be the difference between being coherent during your birth experience and having your head spinning in circles.
Have you worried about whether or not you'll be able to eat something while having your baby?
Image via Mary Fischer
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Comments 23
I think USA is the only country in the world that doesn't allow a woman to drink or eat during labor...is just crazy to me...I remember my first birth I was so traumatized that I couldn't drink, my husband had to sneak in the bathroom to get me tap water, if I think about it I get thirsty! Is just being mean to a woman! Fortunately with my second one I researched a hospital that allowed food and drinks.
In Italy they tell you to bring parmesan cheese and chocolate in the laboring room, and the midwifes comes by and asks if she can make tea!
I plan on eating before heading into the hospital. My hospital does not allow eating during labor due to the possible risk if a c-section is needed so I don't think asking for a snack would even be worth my time. But trust me, there will be some snacks packed in my hospital bag and I don't plan on asking permission to eat a little something if I get hungry.
I ate before I went, with my first! My labors were only 2-4 hours long, but I still complained during my last and shortest, because there was bacon going down the hall. They were sweet though and brought me lunch when I was done.
Some women do throw up (I know one) and I get what they say about emergency C-sections, but honestly... if I had labors longer than 4 hours, I would have eaten something too!
I was one throwing up all labor and I didn't have IV so even more I needed juice and honey! C section they do epidurals now, not general anesthesia! SO it doesn't make any any sense not allowing a woman to eat!
Already planning on having snacks and water in my bag to bring with me. Like amazzonia said in case of a c-section they use saddle blocks, not general anesthesia. I don't know if I'll be in the mood to eat during labor or not, but I am a water junkie and my mouth has been extra dry during pregnancy and ice chips won't cut it.