Why you need a snack plan for labour, birth and beyond

Why food and drink in labour matters more than you'd think

For a long time, hospitals routinely restricted eating and drinking in labour, largely out of worry about aspiration risk if a woman needed a general anaesthetic. But a Cochrane systematic review of trials on restricting food and liquid during labour found no evidence of benefit or harm either with or without restriction, and concluded there is no justification for "nil by mouth" policies in labour for women at low risk of any complications. 

The World Health Organization's own review of the evidence also found no cases of aspiration-related complications among the thousands of women in these trials, and places emphasis on respecting each woman's own wishes around eating and drinking in labour. 

Here in Aotearoa New Zealand, there's no single national guideline on this specifically so in practice, it comes down to your hospital's own policy and your LMC's advice, so it's always worth asking early what your options will be.

Think of it less like a rules-based approach and more like preparing for a marathon: you wouldn't run on an empty stomach, and labour asks even more of your body over a longer, less predictable stretch of time. And never, ever assume that your place of birth - other than your home! - is going to be able to meet your nutritional needs! (Cue doula-dash to the nearest supermarket!)

What to pack — and it doesn't need to be fancy

I'm not talking about filling your freezer with fine cuisine here. Just think ahead about a few things you know you like, that your tummy tends to tolerate, and that will put a little pep back in your step if you hit an energy low.

For your labour and birth bag (your midwife will flag anything to avoid, e.g. if surgery becomes likely):

• Nuts, seeds, dried fruit

• Crackers

• Chopped veg

• Pre-chopped or peeled fresh fruit — even a bag of apples. Fresh fruit is a major post-birth craving.

• Gummy lollies

• Chocolate or biscuits

• Teabags, your favourite coffee, hot chocolate, or protein sachets

For the first few days postpartum all of the above still applies — plus these freezer-friendly options you can prep in advance:

• Soups

• Rice-based meals (think congee or rice pudding)

• Pasta bakes

• Mild curries

• Chilli, veggie or meat

• Stews — lentil dal, slow-cooked meat dishes

• Your favourite baking, frozen in individual slices - especially bliss balls, oaty slices, fruit toast

Or outsource it (great baby gift ideas too!)

If cooking ahead isn't your thing, or you'd rather spend your third trimester doing literally anything else, there are some lovely Wellington-local and NZ-wide options worth a follow: @feedingthefourth, @nourishmemama, @thenourishingnest, @angeldeliveryco, and @bellyfulnz. 

They also make brilliant gift suggestions for anyone asking what a new family actually needs. Of course hiring a postnatal doula like me can also really help in this area, we're often keen homecooks!

A little planning now means one less thing to think about when you're deep in labour, or running on no sleep with a newborn on your chest. Your body's doing enormous work. Feed it up.

References

Singata, M., Tranmer, J., & Gyte, G.M.L. (2013). Restricting oral fluid and food intake during labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

World Health Organization — summary of evidence on intrapartum oral fluid and food intake for low-risk women.