https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 14 May 2026 22:46:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2632351 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 14:42:35 +0000 Iced Tea 2632351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At the first facility, drinking and light eating were encouraged.<br /> I remember eating a sandwich and crackers.</p> <p>At the second facility, it was technically against policy, but the nurses said, "We can't stop you!" (wink,wink). I ate a cereal bar; I would have eaten more if anything had been available in the middle of the night. </p> <p>And, of course, the nurses are right. Hospitals make these policies to cover their asses, but ultimately it is your body and your decision. </p> <p>Studies in the UK and Canada do not show an increased risk in women who eat light meals in labor. There are no American studies on the topic because changes in policy are so recent here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2632324 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 14:09:48 +0000 looch 2632324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I packed a ton of food, I thought I would want to eat, but then when it came time, I couldn't. </p> <p>The hospital was totally fine with you eating what you wanted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2632319 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 14:05:25 +0000 alphagam84 2632319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I thought I'd want to eat during labor but I was so nauseous I couldn't keep anything down. We drove to the hospital at 3am and on the way there I ate a banana as our last meal had been dinner and I wanted something in me. While in the OB triage I tried to eat a granola bar and immediately felt nauseous. I couldn't keep anything down after that-no water, Gatorade, sport chews, or the chicken broth they brought me. It all came back up. While pushing I was starving but I couldn't eat at that point! All I wanted was pizza but she wasn't born until 10:29 pm and everything was closed. My first post baby meal was a sad bowl of Cheerios the nurses brought me. So depressing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2631970 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 22:26:02 +0000 AnnabelleG 2631970@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was allowed to eat whatever I wanted both times. I was induced with my first, and I assumed I'd be waiting a long time to give birth, so I ate a huge dinner! Definitely a mistake since I was puking it all up a few hours later. The second time we brought lighter snacks, but labor went to fast to need anything. So many answers here and different experiences! I guess it's probably best just to bring some food you like and see how you feel... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2631932 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 20:58:34 +0000 Bernieboo 2631932@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My induction took about 36 hours, so i really needed to eat!! I ate lunch and dinner on the first day, but didn't eat much bc I was really uncomfortable. Though my nurse was quick and generous with the zofran so I was able to eat enough. By Friday morning, I knew we were heading to an epidural because we were expecting pitocin. My doula brought me a bagel and juice and made sure I ate all of it and I am SO thankful! After the epidural, I couldn't eat anything (though we had food in our room so I could have snuck something). They brought me a couple of broth/justice/ensure trays that I could have had and I think I ended up drinking one of the ensures and most of the juice. I wasn't really interested in food at that point, I slept for a couple of hours after the epi and then M arrived at 12:30. I drank a lot of sprite while I was laboring down and pushing and I think the sugar helped keep my energy up. We got to our postpartum room at around 4 am and I was starving!!! Our sweet nurse brought me milk and a bunch of graham crackers and then breakfast came about 6. I would definitely eat if/when you can before the epi. I would also recommend eating something (get the zofran if you need) before the epi! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2631913 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 20:32:01 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2631913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was induced with no restrictions that I knew of. The hospital served lunch...big mistake. Egg salad sandwich, juice, soup. All came up in labour...twice. Then after my unplanned c section and baby being mushed into my face, I had to ask my husband to move her and tell the doctor I needed a bucket because I was throwing up again...not sure if that was a reaction to meds or my body's reaction to stress. </p> <p>But after the c section I really wanted water, I was so thirsty. I was only allowed ice chips,<br /> And only a couple until a few hours later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2631903 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 20:16:28 +0000 skipra 2631903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was definitely allowed water and I think the nurse said I only couldn't eat if I got the epidural. I was only in labor at the hospital a few minutes with LO2 and a few hours with LO3 and food was the last thing on my mind. I do think DH ordered dinner and they saved it for us this last time.<br /> I was induced with LO1 but I don't remember much about if and when I ate except I was so hungry afterwards and the kitchen was closed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2631871 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 19:05:29 +0000 MoonMoon 2631871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I gave birth in 2013 and neither the hospital nor my doctor had a policy against eating. The nurses showed me a room with food and told me to help myself! We were there for so long that we were able to order food at mealtime too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2631860 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 18:21:45 +0000 Woolly Mammoth 2631860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I ate regularly throughout my induction. I had dinner right when it started, then regular snacks (I could have brought other snacks, but my room was stocked with graham crackers and juice).</p> <p>I had a c-section with spinal anesthesia just before 4 am and was ready for breakfast by 8 am. I had to get the "no food" order removed before they would bring me anything, but as soon as I mentioned it they took care of it for me.</p> <p>I did have trouble with nausea afterwards due to the pain medications, but I found it was better if I kept something in my stomach. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2631858 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 18:21:09 +0000 LovelyPlum 2631858@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wasn't technically but did anyways. I was allowed Ginger ale right before I started pushing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2631804 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 15:56:56 +0000 Mrsbells 2631804@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shantuck: no they dont use general anesthesia except in rare cases, but it isnt an epidural either, it is a spinal which is similar to an epidural but is placed in differently and is usually mixed in with something like morphine. The combination increases the chances of nausea etc<br /> so in my case i was awake for both c-sections, they told me though that if the need arose they would put me under completely </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2631801 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 15:52:01 +0000 Shantuck 2631801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: That's interesting. Did they use general anesthesia on you (i.e. were you unconscious)? I've been reading that c-sections often use epiduals or spinal anesthesia so that the mother can remain awake during childbirth and that is why some doctors are changing their recommendation. </p> <p>At the end of the day, I'm a rule follower so I'll probably listen to my doctor but I'm really hoping a Larabar or something light for energy won't be off limits. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2631798 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 15:45:51 +0000 Mama Bird 2631798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With my first I was in labor all night and was too sleepy to eat a proper breakfast at home. Once we got to the hospital and the adrenaline kicked in, I realized I'm pretty hungry. DH was sneaking me cookies when the nurse wasn't looking. Thankfully the second time I slept much better before DD was born, so I tanked up on breakfast before heading to the hospital and didn't need to worry about breaking the rules. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2631782 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 15:11:25 +0000 Mrsbells 2631782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shantuck: if you end up needing surgery the anesthesia used is different from an epidural. with my 1st child i wasnt allowed to eat except ice chips. i'm glad i followed their instructions because i ended up needing a csection and you feel so nauseous its good to have an empty stomach, also recovery is easier that way.<br /> this time around i was told no food after midnight before my scheduled c-section and no water 8 hours before </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2631757 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 14:26:36 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 2631757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep! Our midwives made sure I was eating to keep up my strength. I had peanut butter toast and granola bars during my first labour, and a giant Jugo Juice smoothie during the second. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2631744 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 14:10:59 +0000 JennyLayneAZ 2631744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shantuck: No, I didn't. They offered to let me go eat before they admitted me (I'd been there a few hours at that point for monitoring) but I wasn't hungry at all. I ended up with a c section so I guess it worked out in my favor that they didn't need to worry about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2631663 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 11:39:21 +0000 skinnycow 2631663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My hospital's rule was no food/water in labor with the exception of popsicles. I was only there for 2.5 hours before DD was born though so I didn't really need anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2631576 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 10:09:48 +0000 snowjewelz 2631576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was not allowed to eat/drink since I had GD and was hooked up to be monitored right away and since there was always a chance I would need a C-section (was getting induced). It was pretty awful to not eat/drink for 24 hrs (that's how long it took). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2631569 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 10:04:51 +0000 yin 2631569@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was only allowed to eat ice chips. :bummed: Admitted at midnight and LO arrived in the afternoon. I was hungry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2631566 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 09:52:52 +0000 mrsrain 2631566@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I ate lunch right after they inserted the prostaglandin to begin my induction. Baby was born around 5 and then I ate dinner. Don't think they would have allowed me anything other than liquids after that first meal, if labor has dragged on. It's really a terrible policy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2631558 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 09:45:00 +0000 psw27 2631558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, I went in at 1 am though and LO was born at 2 pm. I wasn't hungry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2631552 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 09:38:53 +0000 josina 2631552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't remember if I ate breakfast or not, went in at 8 for induction and was allowed to have chicken broth at lunch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital/page/2#post-2631536 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 08:43:34 +0000 rachiecakes 2631536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I was allowed to, but there was no way I was going to. </p> <p>I ate dinner on Friday evening and didn't eat again until Sunday morning. I just couldn't with everything going on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital#post-2631518 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 08:24:30 +0000 Maysprout 2631518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They didn't want me to during my first. I was sooooo hungry by the end. I'd been in labor so long. I stocked juice and Gatorade and powerbars in the house for my second and when I went into labor I drank a Gatorade and ate a powerbar before leaving for the hospital. I drank Gatorade throughout and ate another powerbar or two during the 6 hrs at the hospital and they gave me some flavored ice cup. I was in a diff hospital for my second and didn't ask about food, I'm not sure if they knew or cared. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital#post-2631517 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 08:23:43 +0000 catlady 2631517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think I was supposed to have anything except clear liquids. I honestly don't remember having or wanting anything anyway though. We brought a bunch of gatorades with us and I think I drank a few sips. I had breakfast before going in (around 8am), gave birth at 4pm, and they fed me dinner at around 8pm, so I didn't go too long without food. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital#post-2631497 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 07:43:11 +0000 winniebee 2631497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes I was allowed to eat with each of my labors -- until I got an epidural, then only ice chips. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital#post-2631489 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 07:26:47 +0000 Mrs. Dolphin 2631489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was told no both times, but I brought homemade broth to the hospital when I labored with my first. With my second, they weren't sure I was in labor but had me on a food restriction for the first several hours I was there (I had my husband sneak me in some granola and fruit, though, because I knew from my exhaustion with my first I wanted SOMETHING). After being in the hospital for half a day, they wanted to keep me overnight because I was 35-36 weeks but having regular contractions. My doctor said I wasn't in labor and I could eat, so I had a chicken gyro. I delivered five hours later and was super grateful for the food. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital#post-2631472 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 06:35:22 +0000 MrsBrewer 2631472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep I was allowed to eat, as long as I didn't have an epidural. During labor my nurse suggested that I order some soup, something easy on the stomach, but solid still to keep me full! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital#post-2631460 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 05:49:13 +0000 Alba4 2631460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, but it wasn't food. Broth, Italian ice, juices. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-eat-during-labor-while-at-the-hospital#post-2631459 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 05:41:57 +0000 ineebee 2631459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was told I could eat! Started pitocin around 6pm and ate soup and half sandwich around 8. </p>