Snacks and Drinks for Labour

The answer is yes. In fact, eating during the early stages of labour is often a good idea, since it will give you a much-needed energy boost, which you’re likely to need as your labour progresses¹.

During early labour, you may begin to experience contractions, and you can learn more about the early signs and symptoms of labour here. At this stage, your contractions might be uncomfortable rather than painful, and come at irregular intervals. This is a good time to have something to eat and drink if you’re able, as it will provide the energy you need as your labour continues and becomes more established¹. 

Once active labour begins, you’re less likely to feel eating, or have the opportunity to do so, as you’ll be focused on birthing your baby. 

However, whilst some women have an appetite during labour, others don’t, so listen to your body and respond accordingly.  There’s no right or wrong here. Research has shown that there’s no difference in the length of labour, or the number of complications experienced, between women who choose to eat during labour, and those who don’t².

If you feel like eating during either during the early stages, or during active labour, eating little and often will help you to sustain your energy, so bite-sized portions between contractions are ideal. Other things to try include:

• Avoiding large, heavy snacks and meals as these may make you feel nauseous and uncomfortable. 
• Opting for wholegrain carbohydrate based snacks such as wholegrain crackers or oatcakes, as these will give you a slower and more effective release of energy.
• Avoiding snacks that are high in sugar, since these will only give you a short-lived burst of energy.

It’s worth knowing that in some circumstances, for example if there’s a chance that you’ll need a general anaesthetic, it’s possible that you’ll be asked to avoid eating or drinking - if you need or have planned a c-section is a good example of this. Other situations which may require you to have a general anaesthetic include if your baby is in the breech position or if you’re expecting twins or multiples.

It’s always worth checking with your doctor or midwife for advice here.

If you’ve been told that you have gestational diabetes, you’ve probably received some dietary advice from your doctor and midwife throughout your pregnancy, to ensure that your condition is managed.

Making sure that your blood sugar levels remain stable during your labour is very important, for both you and your baby, and having snacks for labour on hand can help.

If you have gestational diabetes, snacks for labour include³:

• Fruit.
• Popcorn.
• Oatcakes and plain biscuits.
• Cheese portions.

When it comes to what to drink during labour, water is always a healthy option, but if you’re looking for an alternative, try sugar free squash or flavoured water⁴.

As you approach your due date, you might be wondering what snacks to take for labour and what food to pack in your hospital bag.

It can be tricky planning for eating and drinking in labour, as some of the things you’ll need to take with you on the day. Fresh fruit for example, or yoghurts or other dairy products. Other snacks for labour however can be packed in your hospital bag ahead of time, and some you might want to include are:

• Wholegrain biscuits and crackers.
• Nuts and seeds.
• Energy bars.

If you’re planning on giving birth at home, make sure that your fridge and cupboards are well-stocked with some healthy and delicious snacks that will keep your energy levels up. Whatever plans you have for your birth, it’s still worthwhile having a hospital bag packed, just in case you need to head into hospital. However.

As you prepare for labour⁴, it’s important to continue eating a healthy, balanced diet. As you approach your due date, you might want to try eating smaller nutrient dense meals more frequently. If you’re feeling the pressure on your stomach as your baby grows, this may help you to feel more comfortable.

It’s also very important to stay hydrated as your pregnancy progresses.

There’s some research to suggest that eating dates approximately a month before your baby is due to arrive can help to reduce your chances of having a C-section⁵. However, research here is limited, and it’s important not to eat too many dates due to their sugar content, which is of particular concern if you’re diabetic.

Labour uses up an enormous amount of energy, and your body requires a sufficient amount of nutrients to get through it.

Studies suggest that as well as helping you through periods of fatigue, receiving adequate nutrition during labour can help to reduce the risk of ketosis⁶. Ketosis is a condition where the body dips into its fat reserves for energy, with symptoms including nausea and headaches. Even a small amount of nourishment, such as a few bites of toast, a small handful of raisins or a sip of an isotonic drink, can provide that all-important energy boost⁷.

As you might expect, labour is thirsty work. It’s important to drink regularly to replace lost fluids from sweat and avoid dehydration. You might be worried that drinking too much will result in you needing to go to the toilet more frequently, but rest assured that this is no bad thing. If you’re able to walk, staying mobile with trips to the bathroom can be helpful in helping move your labour along.

When it comes to what to drink during labour, water is always a good choice, or no added sugar squash if you’re looking for an alternative. It’s best to avoid fizzy drinks, since whilst they can provide energy, they may also cause nausea and sickness. It’s a good idea to pack some straws in your hospital bag, as this will allow your birth partner to help you take regular sips of water without you needing to hold the cup or bottle.

As your labour progresses, you might want to consider an isotonic drink or a beverage that’s made with electrolytes, to give you some extra energy.

As you move into the later stages and your contractions become more regular, having isotonic drinks, or drinks containing electrolytes for labour can help to provide extra calories and energy if you don’t feel like eating⁸. They can also reduce the likelihood of ketosis. Perhaps stock up ahead of time so that you’ve got this as an option if your need it. 

There’s no evidence to suggest that the temperature of the water you drink will have any effect on your labour.

The important thing is to ensure you’re drinking enough water as your labour progresses and you can find more guidance about that here.

Labour can be long and unpredictable, sometimes lasting 24 hours or more. As a general rule, early labour, also known as the latent phase of labour, is the longest stage, giving you the opportunity to rest, eat and perhaps have a bath if that’s something you’d like to do. Remember however that there are no set rules here, with some labours being longer or shorter than others.

 If you have your baby in hospital, in some circumstances you may have a longer stay than expected. During early labour, your birth partner is likely to need snacks too, and it’s important to encourage them to take regular food breaks so that they can keep their energy levels up, ready to support you at every step.

It might also be the case that you don’t want them to leave you to go in search of food, or rely on the canteen or vending machines – both of which can be unreliable. The canteen may be closed for example, especially if you give birth during the night.

Being well prepared with plenty of snack options means you’ll have what you need if you feel like eating during early labour, or to support those first few days of breastfeeding if you have an extended stay.