Foods that help your body prepare for labour and birth

There are a lots of different foods that will help your body prepare for birth.  For example, from 32 weeks you can begin drinking raspberry leaf tea, which has traditionally been used to help start labour. It is believed to ripen your cervix and start toning the muscles in your uterus, in preparation for labour. It is also a rich source of vitamin C which is good for your skin's elasticity, as well as immune function and wound healing.

Your baby's immunity is developing in the womb and research suggests that healthy bacteria are present both in the amniotic fluid and the placenta during the third trimester. The levels and strains of bacteria present depend on your own levels of beneficial gut bacteria, which are influenced by the foods you eat. 

In traditional cultures, communities support women in their final weeks of pregnancy by preparing fermented foods that are rich in beneficial bacteria. Foods such as yoghurt, pickles and sauerkraut are good. As well as plant-based foods, including fruit and vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds. 

Most babies receive a second dose of bacteria when passing through the birth canal, but babies born via caesarean section miss out on this opportunity and studies confirm that they have very different bacterial variations to babies born vaginally.

"I recommend that all babies born via caesarean section or who are exposed to antibiotics either in the womb or post birth should receive a supplement of bifidus bacteria, even if they are breastfed." says Rosie Letts, Nutritional Therapist.

According to a 2011 study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, it appears that dates reduce the need for drugs such as prostaglandins and oxytocin which are used to induce labour or help it progress.

In the study, 69 expecting women were asked to eat six dates daily four weeks before their estimated delivery date.  Another group of women, the control group, didn't eat any dates. The study found that 96% of the women who regularly ate dates went into spontaneous labour, compared to 79% of the women who didn't eat dates.  This is a great reason to include dates in your diet in the run up to your baby's arrival!

Pair dates with a protein to reduce the blood sugar impact - a spoonful of nut butter inside the date is a delicious and healthy snack! 

The different stages of labour and breastfeeding are stimulated by the release of hormones, such as beta-endorphin, oxytocin and prolactin. The development of these hormones is dependent on the vitamins, minerals and amino acids found in your diet. The B vitamins B3, folate, B6 and B12, as well as vitamin C, zinc, copper and calcium are especially important.

Iron and magnesium help your body make endorphins - your body's natural pain management team. It is sometimes possible to improve our cells' ability to respond to these hormones by making sure we eat plenty of sulphur-containing amino acids which are found in meat, egg yolks and bone broths.

It is also really important to build up your vitamin K stores prior to birth as it is needed for effective blood clotting.

During labour your muscle contractions will be fueled by your glycogen stores and will also draw on your stores of magnesium, chromium, zinc, B-vitamins and Co-enzyme Q10.

See Foundations of a healthy diet for you and your baby: Macronutrients and Micronutrients for more information about the role of different nutrients in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and which foods to find them in.

It is not a good idea to eat heavy or greasy food during labour but eating light snacks can support your glucose levels and give you energy. It is not unusual to experience diarrhoea or vomiting during birth. If this happens to you, it is even more important drink more liquids. Isotonic drinks or coconut water are really useful at keeping you hydrated and giving you energy during labour.

Nutritious labour drinks and snacks:

• Water
• Coconut water
• Fruit juice
• Isotonic drinks
• Oat cakes
• Berries
• Melon
• Watermelon
• Dates
• Apples
• Pears
• Museli bars
• Banana
• Honey

Information provided by specialist nutritional therapist: Rosie Letts Nutrition.

The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this article are not intended to amount to advice, and you should not rely on any of the contents of this article. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this article. New Life Classes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this article.