Best snacks for labour

“You would not run a marathon or do major exercise without eating and keeping hydrated. Labour takes a lot out of a woman’s body, and she uses a lot of calories. One of the reasons for failure to progress can be that she is tired or has not eaten enough or becomes dehydrated,” says Chrissie.

So, what are the best snacks for labour? Can pregnant women drink Energade, and should you pack isotonic drinks for labour? I’ll break it all down for you so that you can add snacks to your birth plan for the fuel you’ll need for the big day.

You might also like: Braxton Hicks or true labour: how to know when you’re about to give birth. 

The significance of nutrition during labour

A lot goes into childbirth, as it’s one of the most painful and unpredictable experiences, yet nothing short of a miracle. That said, being well-prepared for your delivery date makes the experience a lot easier. Being prepared includes packing nutritional snacks and drinks to help push you to the end. 

It takes an enormous amount of energy, which requires the body to have sufficient nutrients to see the delivery process through. Receiving enough nutrition helps you conquer periods of fatigue and lower the risk of ketosis during labour. 

What are the best labour snacks for your hospital bag?

Ultimately, what you eat in labour depends on your personal preferences and what you can bear to stomach at the time. You may find yourself ravenous or have difficulty working up any kind of appetite. Be prepared for both scenarios with these labour snacks and drinks ideas.

Drinks: Can I drink Energade while pregnant?

Is Energade safe during your pregnancy journey and labour? Absolutely! Isotonic drinks such as Energade, Powerade, and Lucozade are packed with electrolytes and sugars to keep your energy levels optimal. 

These drinks are vital in the delivery room, and it’s a good idea to have two energy drinks for labour to give a sugar boost if needed. 

Remember to have water readily available as a labouring woman will get thirsty.

Mom may also enjoy sucking on ice cubes during active labour as she could get very hot. Most hospitals will be able to supply ice.

What are some Energade health benefits? Energy drinks like Energade and Powerade contain ingredients that improve brain function and increase energy. These include caffeine, B vitamins, herbal extracts, Amino acid derivatives, and sugar. 

Some energy drinks are specifically created to replace lost fluid and electrolytes during sports (in this case, pregnancy). 

What not to drink during labour

Dairy, fizzy drinks, and acidic beverages like juice should be avoided during labour as they can upset your stomach. Some examples are:

• Cranberry juice
• Pomegranate juice
• Grapefruit juice
• Orange juice
• Tomato juice
• Lime/lemon juice
• Tangerine juice  

Alternatives you can drink during labour

Besides energy drinks and the ones to avoid, there are a myriad of beverages a pregnant mommy can enjoy to stay hydrated during labour. 

• Coconut water
• Regular water
• Smoothies made from low-acidity fruits, such as pear and watermelon
• Aloe vera juice
• Carrot juice
• Cabbage juice
• Beet juice
• Watermelon juice
• Pear juice
• Spinach juice

Sweet and savoury snacks for labour: Bite-sized and calorie-dense

You’ll probably throw a fork and knife across the room if someone hands them to you during labour. Look for bite-sized snacks that are packed with calories. 

Dried fruits, date balls, biltong (beef jerky) or dried wors/sausage (if you eat them), chips or pretzels, and fruit are also great. 

Sweet and savoury snacks to avoid during labour

Don’t let the stress and cravings right before labour make you grab any snack you can find from the grocery store. Some of these snacks can cause an upset tummy — and diarrhoea during birth is no fun. 

Here are some snacks and nibbles to steer clear of: 

• Doughnuts
• Pastries
• Cakes
• Spicy food like curries
• Large, heavy snacks like beef burgers, steak tacos, etc.  
• Foods that are high in sugar 

More sweet and savoury snacks to eat during labour

You don’t have to feel limited when packing your snacks for the hospital. Here are a few more bite-size nibbles to take with you. 

• Breadsticks
• Sliced banana
• Wholegrain toast, biscuits and crackers
• Popcorn 
• Energy bars with low sugar
• Nuts and seeds
• Rice cakes
• Flapjacks

Note: It’s important to have sweet and savoury things as mom may want either.

Tips for packing: 

Need more tips to help you prepare for your hospital visit? We’ve got your back with these handy tips:

• You can never be over-prepared when it comes to snacks – who knows how long you’ll be in labour? The last thing you need to worry about is if you have enough snacks and drinks to keep you going, so pack more than enough. 

• Don’t forget about dad or your partner – they should have snacks for themselves. Sharing would be the last thing on your mind, so make sure your partner brings their own snacks. Speaking of, here are some tips for dads when your doula can’t attend your birth. 

• Try to get a wide variety of snacks – What you don’t eat in labour, you’ll likely eat after the birth, especially if you plan to breastfeed, as it will likely make you hungry.

As expressed in the beginning, one of the reasons for failure to progress can be that you’re tired, have not eaten enough, or have become dehydrated. This is why being prepared with enough nutritional snacks is so important for labour. 

Moms share their choice of snacks during labour:

Thando Mhlungu: “I took snacks, but it wasn’t enough, lol. My labour lasted for three days! I took coconut water and Energade (for the electrolytes), as well as drinking yoghurt. I had Lay’s crisps and sugar-free sweets. The yoghurt helps a lot when you get to the point that you can’t eat anything more, but you need the energy. I also had a ton of chopped pineapple because “they say” it helps dilate the cervix. After the birth, I had a lot of tea and porridge to prepare my milk!”

Melissa Carmen Lidbetter: “I would suggest dried fruit, some yummy biscuits, and, very importantly, a nutrition or vitamin shake. Similac has a very nice one for pregnant and breastfeeding mums. Or even something like Ensure. You need things that will give you energy and also some well-deserved yumminess and treats.”

Sebrine Schuler: “Juice, cheddar biscuits, and wine gums. I had a 12-hour labour.”

Robynn-lee Havenga: “Rooibos tea, Energade, water, Jungle Oats bars, and Energade jellies. And then, after birth, anything and everything in front of me! Lol!”

Bronwen Beytell Doula: “Small snacks, so things like dates, nuts, biltong, nut bars. Things to drink: lots and lots of water. Energade is also nice.”

Shirley MacGorgeous: “Fruit salad, Jelly Babies, and Energade.”

Nicole Trautman: “Chewy sweets, small yoghurts, and sports drinks for slow-release/sustained energy.”

Riandi Steyn: “Protein bars and oat cookies were my go-to.”

Danielle Mac Farlane Palmer: “Food Lover’s have this yummy pecan nut bar, Powerade, trail mix… oh, and Lunch Bar.”

Tamryn Cathy Schmal: “Small snacks high in energy are good during labour, e.g., dates, nuts, jelly sweets, honey, and coconut water.”

FAQs

Now that you know what to eat and what to avoid, it’s time to look at some commonly asked questions relating to the topic. 

Can pregnant women drink Energade?

This question pops up a lot, and for a good reason: it’s fine to drink it during labour, so it should be okay during pregnancy, too. Not quite. Experts advise against drinking energy drinks of all kinds as they contain high caffeine, a lot of sugar and other stimulants that are unsafe throughout pregnancy.

What food helps to induce labour? 

Want to speed up this hectic process? Say no more. There are some foods you can intake to help induce labour, such as prunes, dates, and red raspberry leaf tea. 

You may also like: Natural ways to induce labour.