If you were induced, would you recommend eating before going in?
The nurse I talked to said it was ok to have something light but I'm worried about having a bm while in labor. What would you do or did you do in this situation?
I wasn't induced but I remember that I had several snacks the morning of to keep my strength. My body naturally wanted to get rid of the waste and I remember having a huge natural BM before it was time to push.
Edited: I had a natural childbirth so I moved to the bathroom all I wanted. So it really depends on if you are going to be restricted to the bed or not if you want to eat a ton since if you are glued to the bed they don't let you get up and have to go in a bed pan.
Post by biscoffcookies on Jul 12, 2012 15:06:13 GMT -5
I wasn't induced, but I put off going to the hospital when I went into labor so that I could eat dinner before we left. My hospital has a policy of no eating once you get checked in. Since I didn't know how long labor would be, I thought it was best to get one last meal in to give me energy in case it went for awhile.
Post by Shreddingbetty on Jul 12, 2012 15:10:14 GMT -5
I went in at 7 pm to get the induction started. I sure as heck had dinner. I ended up delivering at 8 am but my OB didn't expect me to actually deliver until sometime in the afternoon (1st time mom). I never skip a meal unless I absolutely have to. You won't even know if you have a BM during delivery because they won't tell you. Plus it is not like you would be going in with completely colonoscopy ready bowels to begin with, so even if you skip out on that meal, chances are you would still have a BM. The OB deals with this every day and they don't care. I honestly don't know if I had a BM and I really don't care. Once you have that baby in your arms you won't care either
Exactly. I got the fast and furious variety of labor both times and didn't feel like eating during labor either time (though I did drink water periodically), so I was glad I'd eaten prior to labor: you'll value your strength over pretty much everything else.
Post by mollybrown on Jul 12, 2012 15:12:58 GMT -5
I was induced.
I would absolutely eat before going in. It can be quite a long process. My first baby took over 30 hours from the time that I was admitted, so that would have been a long time to go without eating. Much of the early stages are sitting around waiting for the medicine to work, so you will have plenty of time to use the bathroom before you deliver if you need to. As a matter of fact, I was allowed to eat the first night mid-induction once it became clear I wasn't going to deliver anytime soon. The second time, I went and got food prior to heading to the hospital.
Eat as much as possible (that you are comfortable with) before going! I was induced and before going to the hospital at 7am had toast, peanut butter and a banana. My son wasn't born until 1am the next morning. I was CRYING because I was so hungry! Seriously, if it happens again I told my husband I'm breaking the rules and eating at the hospital.
Post by rootbeerfloat on Jul 12, 2012 15:39:10 GMT -5
I went out to breakfast before my mid-day induction. I figured I'd need my strength. And I'm glad I did because my labor was long, and I ended up with a c/s the next day and didn't get to eat until the day after that. Because of the c/s, pooping did not become an issue, but I did throw up at some point during labor (after I got the epi, IIRC).
Post by thatgirl2478 on Jul 12, 2012 16:51:40 GMT -5
So - they told me to eat a lite breakfast - I was in at 7am, they gave me a single orange jello at 7:00pm, I was wheeled to the OR for a CS at 8pm and the orange jello came up at 8:15, DD was born at 8:32.
Honestly, I think if I had been allowed to eat anything before noon, it would have been OK - but they never know if you're going to need an unplanned CS - which is why they prefer not to (if they have to put you under completely you could vomit & aspirate the liquid). However if you're already planning an epidural, they can usually up the dosage on that faster than they can put you under, so you'd probably be good anyway.
Post by hilwithonelary on Jul 12, 2012 17:23:32 GMT -5
I think the main risk with eating is throwing up. My midwife's advice was not to eat anything I didn't mind seeing again. I ate subway before my scheduled evening induction (actually, I was already in early labor and didn't know it). I didn't throw up. I'm pretty sure I pooped, but I doubt that had anything to do with eating a couple hours earlier. I would advise you to eat something light. You'll need your energy for labor!
I wasn't induced, but when I was in labor with DS1 we drove through Wendy's on the way to the hospital (I had fries and a frosty). With DS2, we drove through and got breakfast tacos. I wouldn't want to labor on an empty stomach.
Post by sewpinkgal on Jul 12, 2012 19:05:52 GMT -5
I wasn't induced. At 8am I realized labor had started, I called the hospital to let them know I was coming in and told the nurse I had just had half a plain bagel (nothing else sounded good that morning). She said that was perfect and to head on in. Food never sounded good again until after I had J around 5pm that night and throwing up crossed my mind several times, so I was pretty glad that I had a little something in my stomach, but that I hadn't started the morning with, say, a breakfast burrito. LOL
My water broke 6:30 PM on Monday(did not go into labor on my own), and Pitocin was started around 8:30 AM Tuesday. I ate half a peanut butter sandwich before I left for the hospital. I was given breakfast before I was induced. I had DS 10:55 Tuesday night. I honesty never felt hungry until a week later, after I was home. I did end up with csection and barely ate anything at the hospital(I was there Monday until Saturday). I think it was a combination of nerves, medications, and pain.
I was induced. We went out to dinner before checking into the hospital--I think we had to check in at 6 pm. They put in cervadil overnight, and i was told not to eat anything after midnight the night I checked in. I did have a mini luna bar the next morning, which I promptly threw up. I didn't bother with food the rest of the day. DD wasn't born until 7 pm the following night.
I honestly have little sense of pride. I don't care much if I poop on the table. I would rather not be starving during labor.
This. Most likely you'll poop. Labor is a marathon, you want food. Eat. Heck, if I had felt like eating I would have eaten during labor, too (at the birth center you can, usually you can't at hospitals). The day of the induction eat enough to feel full, not stuffed, maybe heavy on protein, but really just eat what sounds good - listen to your body.
I was in labor for 2 days. I was glad I ate first. I also brought granola bars and such. I also pooped about a million times. 2 days into labor I didn't really care. I know people tell you you won't care and you don't believe them, but seriously. The last thing you need to care about is pooping.
My water broke in my parking garage at work. I headed back home, gobbled down a huge bowl of Cocoa Puffs and headed to the hospital a couple hours later. I wish I'd waited longer because I was starving by the time she came (less than 12 hours later!). So eat all you can!
Definitely eat! But eat something that won't upset your stomach.
I ate a homemade pizza an hour before labor really started going naturally. I ended up puking it all up in a bucket next to my bed when the contractions got strong a few hours later.
As far as pooping goes, I don't know how an induction worked. But early contractions kept me on the toilet on and off for the first couple of hours. My body just wanted to get it all out. Despite spending all that time on the toilet, I still pooped a little on the table when we were at the hospital later. But really, it's NBD!
Delivering your baby is the most important thing and nothing else matters.
Post by dragonfly08 on Jul 13, 2012 8:06:10 GMT -5
I absolutely ate before both of my inductions. It could be a LONG time before you eat again, and you need the energy.
As for having BM on the table...1) it's not uncommon and the docs/nurses have seen it all, and 2) I gave birth to two children and honestly cannot tell you if I had a BM either time; I was too busy to care and if I did the staff dealt with it quickly and professionally. My kids are 5 and 8 years old now and I still neither know nor care, and IMO neither will you once you have that baby!
I honestly have little sense of pride. I don't care much if I poop on the table. I would rather not be starving during labor.
I had a surprise/emergency induction and thus no time to prep for eating beforehand. I was hungry. I wasn't allowed to eat. It kind of, um, sucked. I would definitely eat beforehand.
I was given cookies & probably other light food during my last induction. I've had 3--first 12 hours, other 2 were 6hours. I never puked & I have NO idea if I pooped. I don't care either way. I say eat