What to drink during labour?

...of the non-alcoholic variety I mean .

Last time I remember being so pissed off at DH around the time of transition, because he'd finished off 4 V's by then and I really could have used the energy to help out with the pushing stage.  We hadn't taken any juice etc to hospital with us (and admittedly the V's were meant for him, not me ), so I had to make do with water.  Would like to be better prepared this time.  So, what beverage helped you with your labour?

I had blue powerade as well, it was nice at first but after a while I got sick of the taste!    Towards the end, my DP was giving me disgusting watered down pineapple juice and I bloody hate pineapple juice but I didn't have any energy to complain so I waited until after to do that.

I just had iced water.....I sprayed myself in the face (best thing ever!) more than I drunk though.

I had red powerade and it was awesome! I had it at the pushing stage, but had just drunk water for the rest.

DP and I took Powerade to the hospital it's safe to drink during pregnancy. 4 bottles. DP went through 1 of them during the labour but I only had water during labour.

Remember that you may not be able to drink out of a bottle. I tried but my body just wouldn't co-ordinate itself to allow me (your body is so focussed on giving birth that some basic movements just become impossible. I only just managed to walk on my own) so I ended up with a glass of water and drinking it through a straw.

I just had water at home then copious amounts of ice cubes at the hospital. They were pumping me full of some stuff to give me energy as I wasn't eating so I still had enough energy for pushing.

yeah i was another c section but i had 5 hours labour both times first..this time i sipped water through a straw..was too busy throwing up to take anything else:(

Oh yea, My midwife poured my powerade into a cup that was full as of ice and it made the powerade soooooooo good!

DF made me drink a red powerade at home while I was in early labour, I threw it all up as soon as I got to hospital

 

I just had water and ice in hospital. Lots of water, something like 4L of it. At antenatel class they really pushed the need to keep hydrated so I kind of went overboard with the drinking, and it was a nice distraction between contractions

Thanks for your replies everyone .  I vomited a lot last time too - but still had a major juice craving around transition.

Pantry is now stocked up with red and blue powerade, juice, ginger beer and straws.  Just have to make some ice cubes now.

Oh and KA, CONGRATS on the arrival of Liam - what a cutie pie .