Delicious Foods to Eat During Labor For Energy
Foods to Eat During Labor for Energy- 22 to be Exact!
Can I eat during labor?
Will I be “allowed” to eat during labor!?! This is a question we hear a lot. The simple answer is YES! Yes, of course, you are allowed to eat during labor, and several organizations, including the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) and the World Health Organization, formally recommend healthy mothers have access to food and drink during labor.
So why do some women only have ice-chips?
Though most maternal health organizations do not recommend the practice, many clinicians and institutions still routinely withhold food and drink from women during labor. In the most recent Listening To Mothers Survey, about 80% of women reported that they were not allowed to eat, and 60% of respondents said they were not able to drink during labor and birth.
Even though The American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecologists generally recommends that low-risk women have access to beverages during labor and birth, they, along with The American Society of Anesthesiologists, still recommend some food restrictions during labor, mostly due to routine practice.
If you are concerned about food and drink restrictions, you should talk with your provider to make sure that they support your plan to eat and drink as you wish during labor.
What are the benefits of eating and drinking in labor?
Staying well-nourished and hydrated throughout labor is almost always ideal. The birth process can be long, so fueling your body for this marathon is important. Having adequate food and drink will help increase your endurance during labor and birth, reduce stress and anxiety, and give you optimal strength.
Food + Beverages For Early Labor:
Early labor lasts approximately 8-12 hours on average, so you will probably have one or two meals and maybe even a few snacks during this time. You should trust your judgment and eat and drink what you want. The following suggestions are examples of convenient food and beverages you may want to consider because they take little or no time to prepare. These one-handed snacks are ideal since you will be busy laboring away:
Scrambled eggs
Nut butter on toast
Smoothies (have fruit pieces pre-portioned in your freezer)
Yogurt cup with granola
Graham crackers
‘Easy access’ fruits like grapes, berries, and melon
Whole grain rice
Oatmeal or porridge
Food + Beverages For Active Labor:
The later stages of labor command your attention, so you probably won’t be interested in eating a meal or even a big snack. The time between contractions is also limited, and you want to prioritize your time resting to maintain your strength. It’s a great idea to drink after each contraction, and if you are hungry, eat something that can provide quick, readily available energy to your body. The following snacks and drinks are great options for you during active labor.
Honey sticks (pack in your hospital bag!)
Popsicles
HomemadeLabor-Aide
Fresh juice
Coconut Water (pack in your hospital bag)
Herbal Tea (with honey and lemon)
Simple soups like miso or bone broth
Food + Beverages for Your Birth Partner:
What about Dad? Your birth partner will need to stay nourished and hydrated, as well, during labor and birth. It’s a great idea to have simple, pre-portioned, and easily accessible snacks for your main birth support person (He/she can be in charge of packing snacks for both of you.)
Granola Bars
Trail mix or nuts
Individual packs of crackers or chips
Apple slices
Juice boxes
‘Healthy-ish’ chocolate bar (share with mom, too!)