Runner's fuel for labor?

awolfff · April 2015

FTM so I'm not really sure about this, but was thinking about using runners fuel (I.e. Hüma gels, island boost, ect..) during labor to keep me going. Before pregnancy, I was a marathon runner and really liked the island boost gels because you could freeze them and make them like a slushy and thought that would be nice during labor

Island boost-
https://islandboost.com/what-is-island-boost/

Hüma gels-
https://www.humagel.com/nutrition-info/

Anyways- has anyone used gels or gu's for labor? If so, what was used and what was your experience with them? The birth center I'm delivering at allows moms to eat, but historically, I've never really wanted food of any kind during (or immediately after) marathons and suspect I'll feel the same about food during labor.

henrytviii · April 2015

I brought stuff like this to L&D but ending up moving too quickly into active labor and throwing up for the whole 12 hours so I didn't use any. I think its a great idea though and this time perhaps I'll try it sooner so I have more calories absorbed before I get sick. I thought about taking one or two after the fact to try to rehydrate but ended up doing that via IV. I plan to bring them again just in case I am not quite as sick. I think its more typical to be sick for a little bit and then have it pass, in which case I'd rather have a gel or Clif Blok or similar chew than real food. I'd plan some real food options too in case your labor is long and not so intense that you can't eat.

awolfff · April 2015

henrytviii said:
I brought stuff like this to L&D but ending up moving too quickly into active labor and throwing up for the whole 12 hours so I didn't use any. I think its a great idea though and this time perhaps I'll try it sooner so I have more calories absorbed before I get sick. I thought about taking one or two after the fact to try to rehydrate but ended up doing that via IV. I plan to bring them again just in case I am not quite as sick. I think its more typical to be sick for a little bit and then have it pass, in which case I'd rather have a gel or Clif Blok or similar chew than real food. I'd plan some real food options too in case your labor is long and not so intense that you can't eat.

Thanks for the feedback!! I'll make sure to pack some real food options too

taboullio84 · April 2015

My hospital only let's you chew ice. -.-

henrytviii · April 2015

taboullio84 said:
My hospital only let's you chew ice. -.-

This would be an easy thing to sneak in that case. And its not really solid food that would sit in your stomach if there was an emergency situation.

sschwege · April 2015

My hospital encourages women to eat and drink while in labor...and even if they didn't I still would, that rule is so outdated!

Anyway, I was also a marathon runner and found the gels to be effective while running. I bought some the first time around but they never interested me while in labor. I liked crackers, Popsicles and water mixed with Gateraid. Coconut water is supposed to be Nature's Gateraid and a good choice for laboring women, but I didn't like the taste. Honey sticks and juice are other good options. Eat early, but don't force it if labor progresses and you no longer feel like eating, the most important thing is to keep drinking. DH would give me a sip of my water/Gateraid mix after every contractions, get a straw cup so you don't have to sit up if you are lying in the bath or something

lovethatcolosun · April 2015

I like pp said active labor can cause vomiting. I could not stop throwing up. It was real and intense. No food sounded good. You never know how you would be impacted so I say bring them!

klkonwi · April 2015

I always tell my patients to feel free to eat small things at the start of labor and stop when intense pain takes over. Yes the rule is outdated to deprive ppl of food but our 'older' nurses still follow it and it pisses me off. Esp with gest diabetic moms.... It's a need for them to keep sugars up or baby will tank it's sugars after birth. Love the idea of these gels.... Id never heard of this stuff before. Probably because I should exercise more.

mvargas12 · April 2015

What is the reason behind no food during labor?

klkonwi · April 2015

The only valid reason is aspiration if needing to lay completely flat after getting an epidural and or a possible cesarean. But these are both unknowns when it comes to timing in labor. They used to withhold food, give you an enema when you got there, and do a lot of other crazy shit.

klkonwi · April 2015

And ppl do vomit in labor but they are going to do that regardless of what's in their stomach. Some ppl are just pukers during labor.

dancegurl1118 · April 2015

My hospital still is on the clear liquids with pitocin and only ice chips with epidural ruling. So outdated and crazy. Unfortunately we have a specialized OB anesthesia for our unit and they run the show so it's their rule...there are definitely bigger fish to fry on our unit (like finally getting the nitrous up and running by June, damnit) but it would be nice to not have archaic rules that have been disproven by evidence...

mindaa · April 2015

My snacks are more old school, but I already have Gatorade and Clif bars set aside for my bag - for myself and dh. I like the crackers idea too, thank you.
If your body was used to them before, should be a good option to have with you.

cmcards83 · April 2015

FTM here too and I plan to make batches of this:

https://www.mommypotamus.com/how-to-make-a-labor-aid-electrolyte-drink/

....as I plan to birth at home. If I need food fuel my plan is bananas and almond butter which is currently my preworkout snack.

sharice111 · April 2015

I might be the only crazy one but I don't feel like food at all when in labor.... I know I'll just puke it up after. So I'm all for the no food rule... I do love crunching ice chips.

and I love my IV... I might be a freak though.

taboullio84 · April 2015

mvargas12 said:
What is the reason behind no food during labor?

My MIL ( works at L&D ) said it's if they have to put you under they don't want you vomiting and inhaling anything. It could lead to death.... Having said that.. She snuck me water last time.

MJMum524 · April 2015

I was famished as I started labor so ate a nice chicken salad and fruit salad. I ended up puking it up a few hours later. I think this time it might be a good idea to eat something with fuel in liquid form! I've never tried this but thanks for the idea!

HoosOnFirst · April 2015

taboullio84 said:

mvargas12 said:
What is the reason behind no food during labor?
My MIL ( works at L&D ) said it's if they have to put you under they don't want you vomiting and inhaling anything. It could lead to death.... Having said that.. She snuck me water last time.

A friend who recently gave birth at the hospital I'm going to said they won't let you eat anything but ice, but secretly will allow jello if you ask - I guess because it turns into liquid once consumed!

klkonwi · April 2015

The chances of you being put under general anesthesia are only if your baby is in a dire emergent state. Otherwise for cesareans you recieve a spinal or epidural. So the risk of aspiration is actually not something to worry about.

sschwege · April 2015

I once read where an OB argued that if you aren't going to let women eat/drink in labor then you should also tell people not to drive in a car after eating/drinking or extreme sports like skiing, after all you could need emergency surgery and you would arrive with a full stomach. It just doesn't make sense. Even the conservative ACOG now supports women having 'clear fluids' juice (no pulp), water, broth, etc.

taboullio84 · April 2015

Pfft I wish they would have given me something besides ice...

After though I sent daddy to a Italian restaurant ... Mmmm

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