Natural Birth and Baby Care.com

Laborade - Energy for Your Labor

A good drink choice in labor is something that will help replace fluids and nutrients your body has used. You can buy a product made for this or you can make your own "laborade." These will help you because during your labor and birth it's possible to find your energy waning.

Eating or drinking something can help - and a drink is an especially good choice because it's easy for you to sip it through a straw! It's also easy to swallow, and easier on you if you stomach gets upset during the transition phase of your labor.

EmergenC is the brand name of a good powdered product - just mix with water and you have a good energy drink.

Here are a few recipes for homemade Laborade:

• 2 Cups Water
• 2 Cups Apple Juice
• Salt to taste
• Honey to taste
• 2 crushed Calcium Tablets
• 1-2 Fresh Squeezed Lemons

Mix together and drink!

• 1 quart of Water
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/3 Cup Honey
• 1/3 Cup Lemon Juice
• 1-2 Calcium Tablets, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda

Again, mix together and drink!

• 1 qt Pure Water
• 1 tsp Sea Salt
• 1 Tbsp Blackstrap Molasses
• 1 Tbsp fresh Lemon Juice (or Apple Cider Vinegar)
• 2 Tbsp Raw Honey

Mix and enjoy for the minerals and energy!

You may also want to have some herbal teas on hand; Red Raspberry, a Nettles infusion, Chamomile, or Peppermint are good ideas. You can sweeten these with honey or molasses.

All these recipes and the teas can be frozen into ice cube trays or popsicle molds if you desire. Some women prefer fresh to frozen. Others like the cool of the ice cubes/popsicles.