How To Make Labour Aid

You’re 37 weeks along in your pregnancy. Perhaps the birthing pool has been inflated and filled to ensure no leaks exist, yet it’s since turned into a glorified family bathtub; even your pets are intrigued. Your “just in case” hospital bag is packed, minus your iPod, which is currently downloading a new set of tunes. When you asked your neighbour to upload her favourite labour tracks, you just couldn’t see yourself singing “I came in like a wrecking ball”, while feeling good about the situation. The freezer is loaded with enough home cooked meals to host a block party, and overall you’re on top of the only details you actually have control over.

Since you’re about to embark up a steeply inclined mountain, why not further prepare your body by remaining incredibly hydrated leading up to, as well as during labour? Doing so will ward off muscle spasms, help regulate body temperature and keep your heart pumping blood effortlessly while flushing out waste. By maintaining adequate fluid levels, you’re directly impacting the amount of amniotic fluid your baby requires for her overall wellbeing, which is especially important if your amniotic sac has ruptured.

The majority of store-bought energy drinks contain carcinogenic food colouring which carries no nutritional value whatsoever, artificial sugars and flavouring, none of which are allies during the birth of your baby. There are many renditions of homemade electrolyte replenishers, however this recipe should get you off to a taste-testing start.

Ingredients:

Pure coconut water, filtered water or a blend of both:

Coconut water contains more potassium than most sport beverages, some sodium, carbohydrates, and additional electrolytes; all beneficial elements in keeping your body’s cells communicating effectively during labour.

     Freshly squeezed lemon juice:

Lemon helps alkalize the body’s pH levels, as well as supply electrolytes such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium. Some people prefer the taste of lime juice, however it doesn’t contain quite as much potassium or vitamin C as lemon juice does.

        Raw honey:

Honey provides a great energy boost during labour. Having readily accessible carbohydrates is important when your glycogen stores begin to deplete after hours of labouring, a time in which you may not feel like hitting up the buffet table. Real maple syrup can also be used, though it contains less carbohydrates, yet more potassium and calcium than honey. Raw coconut nectar is also a wonderful choice, low on the glycemic index, while carrying 17 amino acids, nine of which our bodies cannot produce!

        Sea salt:

As we sweat sodium levels decrease, which can contribute to nausea, muscle cramping, dizziness, fatigue as well as difficulties concentrating. Since sea salt is generally unprocessed, it retains a wide variety of trace minerals including magnesium, calcium and potassium.

Optional Ingredients:

        Bach Flower Remedies:

Use a few drops of Recue Remedy to help maintain focus while remaining calm and grounded. If you are unfamiliar with flower essences, you may read up on them here.

Concentrated trace mineral drops, liquid/solid calcium magnesium:

Incorporate one of the three options, to keep your muscles contracting and relaxing as they should. Use two tablespoons of liquid calcium magnesium, or you may add two crushed calcium magnesium tablets.

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The Recipe

• 4 cups of plain coconut water, filtered water or a combination of both

• 1/2 cup of freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice

• 2-4 tbsp of raw honey, real maple syrup or raw coconut nectar

• 1/4 tsp of sea salt

Mix all of the ingredients together and store in the refrigerator. If your honey is solid, use a hot water bath or gently heat on low to liquify. You want to maintain all of the beneficial enzymes raw honey has to offer. Feel free to adjust the recipe to suit your needs.

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How did you remain hydrated during your labour? We hope this post has benefited you! Please leave your comments in the field below.

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Angela Esplin is a labour and postpartum doula, as well as placenta encapsulator with Full Circle Birth Collective. She has been serving families since 2000, and has recently transitioned back home to Mission, BC.

Click here to read more about Angela.