Food During Labor

Your medical team will advise you about whether you should be able to eat during labor, it will depend upon their point of view but also whether you have had an uncomplicated pregnancy and are generally healthy. If you expect to have a straightforward delivery then some sustenance should be planned, obviously you will not be able (or want) to eat a 3 course meal or heavy fatty foods - your body has quite enough to cope with without having to digest this type of food. But clear soups, toast and even a small portion of plain pasta or potatoes may be welcome. You might be grateful for some extra carbohydrates to give you an energy lift, a little bit of jam may give you a short term boost and clear soup will give you some other nutrients to keep your overall strength up, fresh fruit will give energy but also give some refreshment and help with re-hydration. But if your medical team has banned food during labor then you may still be able have ice and perhaps even iced fruit sorbet, but you will probably not be able to have ice cream!

One of the extra benefits of eating healthily throughout your pregnancy is that you will have gradually built up the nutrients and mineral storage you need to sustain you through delivery and into the weeks following the birth.

If you have been given the go ahead to eat some sensible snacks remember that this advice may change on the actual day. But make some plans, talk to your birthing partner about what you might want and make sure that you can easily pop the food in a cool bag before leaving for hospital. Crisps, salted snacks and chocolate should be avoided - yoghurts and unsweetened muesli bars are a good alternative. The hospital or birthing centre will provide you with water but you may like to take your own bottled supply and keep it fresh in your cooler.

Ultimately you have to take the medical advice you are given but many women do snack during labor and appreciate the distraction or energy it provides, especially during the early stages.

Foods that may help induce labor

There any many theories and discussions about foods or herbal remedies that may help with inducing labor, older generations may advise you to have a spicy meal but in fact the reason spicy food may bring forward your labor is that is causes irritation in your bowel leading to diarrhea and therefore dehydration. Dehydration is known to bring labor on but this is not a healthy way to approach a delivery so if spicy food is not a regular part of your diet it’s probably not a good idea at this point in your pregnancy.

Fruit and herbal teas have a growing reputation for encouraging labor and are unlikely to cause any irritations or side effects, if they don’t bring on contractions they may well help to keep you calm and relaxed. As always check with your medical practitioner before taking these remedies and make sure that you read the labels and leaflets that accompany the product.