birth experience

The First Thing You Eat After Giving Birth Will Taste Like Magic
Pregnancy

The First Thing You Eat After Giving Birth Will Taste Like Magic

by Jill
written by Jill

The best sandwiches and pizza of my life have been devoured right after I had babies.

I think one was literally white bread, a slice of soggy cheese, and some questionable ham and IT WAS AMAZING. And I was always grateful for the snacks we brought in. I consumed an entire bag of Dove caramel filled chocolates right after I had Wallace.

This photo, by my friend Katie Lacer (MommaKT Shoots), is the perfect illustration of that post-birth food-euphoria.

When we shared this photo on the Baby Rabies Facebook page, we asked you to share your favorite postpartum meals and snacks. Here’s what you said:

“I had a bagged lunch from the hospital. Turkey sandwich with lettuce and mayo with some chips and let me tell you mayonnaise never tasted sooooo good on a sandwich then it did at that point in my life.” – Victoria

“With my oldest daughter it was a chicken bacon ranch grinder from a place called Mancino’s and it was amazing. With my youngest daughter I hadn’t eaten in almost 36 hours and although I was told it was a bacon egg and cheese bagel from Einstein brothers with an iced caramel latte from Starbucks it could have been cardboard and water lol. I ate it so fast I’m not even sure I tasted any of that one.” – Jayne

The First Thing You Eat After Giving Birth Will Taste Like Magic

“In the UK you’re always given tea and toast with jam. However, best thing I ever had was my husband brought me pretty much the whole McDonald’s breakfast menu. It was AMAZING.” – Heather

Related: You Don’t Have To Invite Anyone To Your Birth… Unless You Want To

“When I had my first, my sister was in charge of bringing me tasty things. Then I wasn’t allowed to eat for two days after. Then they put me on clear liquid and it still wasn’t real food. I finally got released to try normal foods right when they were switching me from a more monitored floor to a regular floor annnnnnnd forgot to give me lunch. The nurse then rounded up food for me which was so nice of her but it was clear liquid. Totally called my Mom crying and she brought me a burger. It was really the best thing ever.” – Laura

The First Thing You Eat After Giving Birth Will Taste Like Magic

“My husbands reenactment of our second’s birth- push, grunt, push (kid out), ‘I need a cheeseburger!’ It was the most amazing (hospital) cheeseburger I have EVER eaten.” – Laurie

“I was asking for food before they were done closing after [my daughter]. I’d been monitored all afternoon so by that time I’d gone like 11 hours without anything but the six packages of fruit snacks I ate clandestinely. At about 2am they finally brought my mom and I each a packaged sandwich and I don’t think I chewed either.” – Jessica

“When the doctor came in for me to push with my last one he asked what that smell was. I pointed to the counter and said ‘that’s a calzone waiting for me to be done here’. He laughed and gloved up and said ‘don’t let me stand in your way’.” – Jen

“I called room service as soon as possible. I ordered a Belgian waffle, scrambled eggs, extra bacon, fruit and yogurt parfait, cheese danish, orange juice, and ginger ale. Then asked my husband what he would like and his face pretty much said it all.” – Amanda

What was your favorite postpartum meal? Share in the comments or here on Facebook!

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Dallas/Ft. WorthPregnancyReviews

Birth- A Play (And a DFW Giveaway)

by Jill
written by Jill

I’m going to see it next week. It’s part of the Birth On Labor Day, or BOLD, movement to make maternity care mother-friendly.

Obviously, I don’t have any sort of review of it yet, but after watching the video about it and reading more about the cause, I’m pretty sure I’m going to love it.

I’ll try not to get too sappy here, but, for me, my 2 positive birth experiences changed me and empowered me. I feel lucky and blessed by all that every day, but I had to fight to get what I wanted. I had to work hard to educate myself and left 2 OB practices in search of more mother-friendly midwifery practices.

It’s not about whether you have an epidural or not, if you birth in a hospital or at home. It’s about getting the experience YOU want, and having the support offered up easily. It’s about not having to dig and search, fight and leave your OB at 39 weeks when he states he will not let you labor out of bed, or she won’t allow you to try for a vaginal birth after your last cesarean, even though you and your baby look perfectly healthy and are great candidates to try for it.

I think this is an important movement. The cornerstones of mother-friendly maternity care are described by BOLD include:

Birth can safely take place in hospitals, birth centers, and homes.

A woman’s confidence and ability to give birth and to care for her baby are enhanced or diminished by every person who gives her care, and by the environment in which she gives birth.

Every woman should have the opportunity to: Have a healthy and joyous birth experience for herself and her family, regardless of her age or circumstances.

Maternity care practice should be based not on the needs of the caregiver or provider, but solely on the needs of the mother and child.

And many more. You can read more about BOLD’s description of mother-friendly maternity care here.

Birth, the play, is showing all around the county, and, in fact, the world. You can find a location near you here. I will be attending the DFW showing next week. The ticket sales will benefit the Tarrant County Birth Network, the largest Birth Network National Chapter in the country.

Producer Shannon Blackwell said she became interested in the play after the birth of her second child in 2009.

“My two different births and the care I received during my pregnancies from my providers showed me the huge difference in experience a woman can have. Being educated and knowing your options are significant factors in walking away from a birth feeling empowered. It is a milestone in a woman’s life and we should celebrate that,” says Blackwell.

The DFW production of Birth opens September 23rd with a performance at 7 pm. There are 2 performances on the 24th, a “crybaby” matinee at 2 pm and another evening performance at 7 pm. Advance tickets are $10 and tickets at the door are $15. This play is PG-13 in nature, and not recommended for children. Go here for more DFW details and to buy tickets.

I’m also offering up a quick giveaway for 2 tickets to the DFW area production and the book The Birth Next Door. You’ll be able to choose the time that works best for you.

All you have to do is comment below telling me you’re in the area and interested in seeing it.

You can get an extra entry if you like BOLD Fort Worth on Facebook.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. I’ll draw the winner Tuesday morning with Random.org. You’ll need to get back to me quickly so we can arrange to have your tickets sent to you in time for the show.

Disclosure- BOLD provided the tickets for me and for my winner. I was not compensated in any other way for this post.

Entries closed. Congrats to Ashely, comment #16, as chosen by Random.org.

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