What to Drink During Labor
Safe Liquids for Childbirth to Prevent Dehydration and Ketosis
Aug 20, 2009
In the past, laboring women were routinely denied food and water; a practice that still continues in some hospitals, despite evidence that keeping nourished and hydrated poses no risk to mother or child. It is important for women to know which liquids are appropriate for safe and effective hydration.
Drinking Water During Labor
Water seems like the obvious choice for a laboring mother, but caution must be taken if the mother is drinking large quantities, particularly if she is not eating. One Swedish study found that women who drank more than 2.5 litres of water during labor were at heightened risk for hyponatraemia, or sodium imbalance.
Isotronic Drinks, Sports Drinks and Energy Drinks
Drinking commercial fluids designed to maintain the body’s electrolyte balance is a good idea for women who feel very thirsty during labor. Hyponatraemia is not a risk with drinks that contain sodium; and as sports drinks have been created for energy-expending athletes, they tend to be suitable for the hard work of labor.
Some sports or energy drinks contain caffeine, which some mothers prefer to avoid. Caffeine crosses the placental barrier and can result in a “caffeinated” newborn baby, which is not ideal for establishing a breastfeeding relationship and a good first sleep!
Drinking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea During Labor
Raspberry leaf tea is often consumed in the latter stages of pregnancy as a uterine tonic. Taken in a large, strong dose at the onset of labor it is believed by some women to shorten labor. Raspberry leaf tea can be drunk hot or cold and sweetened with sugar, fruit juice or honey if desired.
Drinking Ginger Tea to Relieve Nausea
Ginger tea, ginger beer or ginger ale may help relieve the nausea that often accompanies labor.
Drinking Coconut Water During Labor
Often marketed as a “natural sports drink”, coconut water is a great option for women who prefer to avoid the caffeine and/or artificial colorings of commercial sports drinks. Coconut water contains electrolytes, potassium and magnesium; it is uniquely thirst-quenching and, drunk directly from a young coconut, sterile. Coconut water is available as a commercial drink from brands such as Zico. The clear liquid should not be confused with coconut milk and coconut cream, which are white and sold in tins for cooking purposes.
Ice Chips and Popsicles
Frozen liquids such as chipped ice and Popsicles tend to be soothing and easy on the stomach for a laboring mother. For a homebirth it may be possible to freeze another liquid such as coconut water ahead of time.
Making Your Own Laborade
“Laborade” is a homemade concoction which can be drunk as an alternative to commercial sports drinks like Gatorade. The recipe contains lemon juice, salt and calcium/magnesium as well as sweeteners and baking soda; it’s worth making up a batch before labor to taste, as some women dislike the drink.
Drinking Fatty or Creamy Drinks in Labor
As the stomach does not digest as efficiently during labor, foods and drinks which are hard to digest, such as rich fatty drinks (milkshakes or frappuccinos), are not recommended. These drinks tend to increase nausea.
Taking Fluids by IV During Labor
Administering fluids intravenously is an option for mothers who can’t take in enough fluid. The nausea which sometimes accompanies labor may occasionally make taking fluids by IV a more realistic option than drinking. However, the presence of an IV drip may inhibit free movement during labor.
 |
