Should I eat in labour!?
So… the short answer is yes - you can do what you want to in labour! We are all about the empowerment here, so it’s up to YOU! Listen to your body and it will tell you what it needs. It is your body and you decide.
However there is also a bit of science to consider…
Early labour can have lots of starts and stops and go on for 8-12 hours, so if you are hungry at this time eat foods that are easily digestible and nutritious with lots of energy in them. Think homemade soups, toast with nut butters or egg, bananas, energy balls and coconut water, instead of a massive burger and chips for example!
Sometimes we feel a bit nauseous, vomit or have a loose poo as labour begins - that’s ok. That’s your digestive system actually trying to wrap up all its jobs in that department, so the body can focus its energy in the reproductive area! Clever eh!
What happens when we have a big meal is that is takes a lot of blood to help us digest it. When we are in labour, that blood is actually mainly needed by the uterus. As a big muscle contracting regularly to open up and push the baby out, it needs lots of oxygen which travels in the blood. So one of the best things to do is not overload your digestive system!
Instead do this:
Focus on the energy provided by the oxygen - your uterus thinks of oxygen as fuel. It needs it to work effectively when its doing its contraction thing and to avoid any build up of lactic acid (remember getting stitches when you run, that’s what lactic acid does). So breathe slow deep breaths as often as you can. Ideally with every single contraction. Think of your breath, your oxygen as fuel the uterus needs to work effectively and with a jolly good bit of ooomph!
If you are hungry stick to easily digestible, highly nutritious food early on and later on when you’re needing a bit of energy think about having a spoonful of honey, a bit of dark chocolate, bone broth, scrambled egg on toast, nut butters on toast, smoothies (could be pre-prepped in the freezer), easy to eat fruit, an energy ball or some sweets. You probably won’t want something massive (read the bit about the blood above again but do listen to your body and if its hungry put something in your tummy!)…
Stay hydrated - getting de-hydrated is really really tiring for the body. So take sips of water or coconut water regularly in between every single contraction is a good idea). And then have a pee every hour or two too to empty the bladder.
Pack snacks for your birth partner and even have cake for them and /or your midwife / birth team. Everyone else around you will get very hungry and tired too - they’ll probably eat all the goodies you have stashed for birth. So pack double for these guys.
Think about what you want to eat AFTER! All those yummy things you’ve not had throughout pregnancy… mmmmh! And get your birth partner ready to nip to the local deli for supplies once the baby has arrived and your ravenousness hits you!
And remember - LISTEN TO YOUR BODY - it’s evolved pretty well to let you know when you’re hungry, tired, need a sugary bite as an energy boost, so don’t over think it. Just follow your body and you’ll know!
Hope this helps! let us know what your first meal post birth was!! Was it the best thing you’ve ever eaten?
(Should just add if you are having a caesarian section birth, you will be advised not to eat beforehand like you would be advised nil by mouth before any operation. If you are planning a vaginal birth, then stick to the above and don’t worry if you’ve just had a snack and then it turns out you later need a section. As mentioned you probably aren’t eating a huge burger and chips when your 9cm dilated anyways!)