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Midwifery - on-call job with random hours. Suggestions?

Le_Joy
Le_Joy Posts: 549 Member
edited October 2024 in Motivation and Support
I am a midwifery student and can be away from home with very little notice for a few days. I am finding it rather challenging to eat well when I get called away from home in the middle of the night and don't return for a few hours or a few days. I have some food in the fridge I can grab and go but it is only 1 meal and 1 snack. I also have trio bars & pretzels & beef jerky in my car. I have enough food to survive but when you are up 36 hours straight eating trio bars and beef jerky the calories add up pretty quickly.

I can't exercise at births (though I do stretch when I can) so I don't want to overeat because I can't make up for the extra calories. And when I finally get home my schedule is off for a day or 2 so making up for lost exercise is kind of out of the question. I attend out of hospital birth 90% at someone's house in a very rural area so cafeterias or going to get food real quick aren't options. We have our snacks and when those run out or get boring we have what is available at the home which varies widely.

Replies

  • Mynue_Jeens
    Mynue_Jeens Posts: 98 Member
    Could you prepare more than one snack and meal ahead of time? That would be my suggestion so you have a lot of options at a moments notice.
  • rosebarnalice
    rosebarnalice Posts: 3,488 Member
    I'd keep fruit that keeps well (apples, tangerines) in the "emergency food" kid. Also how a stash of canned tuna and light crackers instead of the beef jerky?
  • Jill_newimprovedversion
    Jill_newimprovedversion Posts: 988 Member
    WOW- this is quite enlightening- NEVER thought about the dilemma you have in this occupation.

    I'm not sure I'd have any good suggestions, but I sure do have a greater appreciation for your field.

    Is there any way you can ask the expectant mother to provide some snacks for you- as she gathers up
    things in preparation for the "big day?" ( and you'd give her a list of items)

    I know that I made up a lot of snacks for my hubby when he was my birthing coach- kind of the same idea?
  • Jennyisbusy
    Jennyisbusy Posts: 1,294 Member
    I am a midwifery student and can be away from home with very little notice for a few days. I am finding it rather challenging to eat well when I get called away from home in the middle of the night and don't return for a few hours or a few days. I have some food in the fridge I can grab and go but it is only 1 meal and 1 snack. I also have trio bars & pretzels & beef jerky in my car. I have enough food to survive but when you are up 36 hours straight eating trio bars and beef jerky the calories add up pretty quickly.

    I can't exercise at births (though I do stretch when I can) so I don't want to overeat because I can't make up for the extra calories. And when I finally get home my schedule is off for a day or 2 so making up for lost exercise is kind of out of the question. I attend out of hospital birth 90% at someone's house in a very rural area so cafeterias or going to get food real quick aren't options. We have our snacks and when those run out or get boring we have what is available at the home which varies widely.

    A jar of peanut butter and a spoon (unless pb is a trigger food for you). the protein really helps to create a full feeling and keep you going. Having some apples would make it a yummy treat. There are also nut butters that come in single serve packs.

    At the office you could keep canned black beans, soups etc that heat up very quickly, maybe yogurts in the fridge.

    Some protein shakes can be mixed with water in like 2 seconds. You could even premeasure a serving into a go-cup with a lid, so all you would need is good water and maybe some ice.

    Bananas are instant food, but they don't last forever.
  • shoshi68
    shoshi68 Posts: 407 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/335680-shift-workers-folks-who-do-lots-of-call-md-s-and-midwives

    I am a midwife, and know how hard it can be! The sleep deprivation messes with our minds and bodies. Some of the stuff above has been helpful to me.

    Take care!
  • MIMITIME
    MIMITIME Posts: 405 Member
    Do you have access to a refrigerator or freezer in the homes? If so, maybe make up things like pots of chilli, soups even meals similar to tv dinners but lo cal versions and keep in the freezer. You can get a thermal bag in the camping section at Walmart that will hold several containers. Also, greek yogurt, Laughing Cow Cheese, things like this to grab and go. If no fridge, check around at the grocery store and see if there are any healthy type microwave meals that don't require a fridge. Maybe keep some graham crackers and peanut butter around with some fruit. You are in a tough spot. Good Luck
  • caramkoala
    caramkoala Posts: 303 Member
    snacks you can freeze, then you can grab them on the way out the door and by the time you need them they'll be defrosted. I like small bunches of grapes and morning glory muffins :flowerforyou:
This discussion has been closed.

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