Can you eat snacks during labor? Yes, you always have the right to eat and drink during labor!
What is the big deal? – “Don’t eat because you might aspirate during a C-Section with general anesthesia.”
-First, aspiration during a C-Section with the result of sickness and death is very small, and should not be a reason why a healthy woman should not be able to eat and drink during labor.
-Second, fasting will not remove all food contents of the stomach.
-Third, the concern is aspiration of acid from the stomach, and no amount of fasting will decrease stomach acid.
-Fourth, restricting food and liquids from Mom during labor can lead to unwanted results.
Now is the time to get ready for your birth journey. Take your next step by download the FREE workbook below to get Annabelle’s 4 Step Process to a birth you will love to remember.
Do you NEED to eat during labor?
-Labor is hard work, and your uterus (big muscle) needs energy as a marathon runner needs energy.
-If your labor progresses slowly, you might benefit from eating.
-Ketosis can occur after several hours of fasting (increasing acidity of mom and baby’s blood) causing contractions to weaken and the progression of labor to slow.
-BUT…You might not want to eat, especially as labor progresses. Women often become nauseated around 6-8 cm dilated (active labor), and food is not on her mind.
What should you eat?
-Small snacks at the beginning of labor.
-Eat less when your contractions increase.
-Snacks that digest easily: berries, dried fruit, honey sticks, all fruit popsicles, oranges, bananas…
-Fluids are very important!
-Drinks with nutrients: bone broth, vitamin water, smoothie drinks
-Stay away from dairy in case you do throw up.
The BIG point is having the right to eat.
-Stress can increase when mom cannot eat or drink during labor, causing contractions to weaken and the progression of labor to slow.
-Satisfaction and empowerment with labor will increase if mom has the choice to eat.
*Side note, epidural placement will restrict mom to clear liquids. But you still have the right to eat and drink. You might have to sign a form taking full responsibility for your outcomes.
Now is the time to get ready for your birth journey. Take your next step by download the FREE workbook below to get Annabelle’s 4 Step Process to a birth you will love to remember.
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Disclaimer: This is for educational purposes only. This should not be taken as medical advice or take the place of what your healthcare provider recommends. Please discuss any healthcare information found on this channel with your healthcare provider. Pearently exists as a source of information and knowledge and in no way can we determine whether or not any of the information is specifically best for your individual case. With that in mind, we are grateful to share this information with you and we hope that you find success in your journey to achieve a happy and healthy pregnancy, labor, and birth.
– Sincerely, Team Pearently