Replenishing on fluids during labor?

[Homebirth_Mom216]

Just wondering if any of you moms have good tips on replenishing fluids/electrolytes after vomiting?  During my first labor I threw up twice to kick it all off.  I think I drank a gatorade or something to try and boost myself back up again (I had about 20 more hours of labor left to go), but I am guessing that there are better options for this time around - like honey or something.  Any tips??

[IdentityCrisisMama]

I vomited during labor as well - didn't that just suck?!    I don't have any tips on what worked because I'm in the same boat as you - had one birth and wasn't quite prepared for that and now needing to figure out a better solution.  

I happen to really like Gatorade so I'll reach for that for sure.  I know there is some natural version (Replenish or something like that).  I also read lots of recs for drinking coconut water.  I was also planing on making a smoothy to have during labor.  Ice chips, maybe a frozen apple juice and water concoction.  I wonder if that Smart water would be a good thing go have.  

I'd be curious to hear other ideas!  

[IdentityCrisisMama]

Oh, and I would talk to your MW about an IV.  I'm not sure why I didn't get an IV during my labor but I do think it would have helped.  I know it can interfere with labor but it's important to me this time around that it get offered if I'm vomiting and looking/feeling run down.  

[treeoflife3]

Definitely coconut water.  I get dehydrated really easily, especially by morning and drinking one of the juice box sized ones helps me SO much better than water and breakfast.

[patricegonzales]

Coconut water!! It is the best!

If you are a fan of gatoraide, try Recharge. Its like a natural gatorade. I think there is a recipe somewhere on here (MDC) for a 'laborade' drink. Never tried it, but may be worth a look.

[Banana731]

'laboraide' is gross  I couldn't drink it labor. I was going to give the coconut water a go this time.

Any thoughts on the laxative properties of coconut water, though??

[NuzzleNudge]

I bought some coconut water to be sure I would like it before the big day. Let me tell you it does hydrate and make you feel really replenished. I didn't have it during labor, but I was dehydrated.

However, the taste is not something I can handle especially during labor. It's not horrible, just not as pleasant as I'd like. It wasn't as cold as it should have been. Besides, Drinking straight fluid makes me feel sicker while pregnant, and i dont imagine that getting better during labor. so I was planning on mixing it with something more delicious, freezing it and then shaving it or crushing it. Ah, just the thought makes me thirsty and want it!

Silk Brand is Making Coconut Milk Now, And I just bought some and LOVE it! I LOVE coconut, and this tastes like a Virgin Pina Colada, Minus the Pinapple! YAY!!!

http://www.silkpurecoconut.com/

So I plan on mixing that with the Coconut water for my fluids. I think I will even add vanilla yogurt and some honey in a blender, to make popsicles for the entire hot Summer months and then especially labor.

[NuzzleNudge]

Benefits Of Coconut Water:

http://www.knowledgebase-script.com/demo/article-320.html

http://www.google.com/search?q=Benefits+of+Coconut+Water&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

[LaurenAnanas]

I got a few bottles of water with electrolytes in it (I can't stand coconut water or gatorade and its relatives), just in case, but any old juice with its natural sugar is good too. Combine that with some salted crackers or nuts and you've got all the things you need to help retain fluid.  I alternated between white grape juice and water at my last labor and had no problems. I chose the white grape because it's relatively low acid and non-stainy in case it came back up!  

The juice did come back up during transition, but overall things were fine. Make sure you keep yourself well-hydrated normally, so you'll  go into labor with reserves. One or two bouts of vomiting, even if you totally empty your stomach, shouldn't push you into actual dehydration territory.

If you do try coconut water or laboraide, taste it before labor. If you hate it now, you'll probably hate it even more during labor!

OH- and it's not the same as dehydration, but I had some serious dry mouth issues from mouth breathing! Have lip balm on hand with your labor stuff, and I found rinsing and spitting with water helped even when I didn't want to drink.

[Banana731]

Well, let me ask this- I love fresh coconut milk. My grandpa and I used to collect coconuts and then crack and drink the water and eat them together in PR. Does the stuff that they sell in those pouches taste the same as fresh coconut water?

[patricegonzales]

Originally Posted by Banana731 

Well, let me ask this- I love fresh coconut milk. My grandpa and I used to collect coconuts and then crack and drink the water and eat them together in PR. Does the stuff that they sell in those pouches taste the same as fresh coconut water?

It doesnt taste exactly the same, like fresh squeezed OJ isnt the same as OJ in the jug, but its similar.

 

Originally Posted by Banana731 

'laboraide' is gross  I couldn't drink it labor. I was going to give the coconut water a go this time.

Any thoughts on the laxative properties of coconut water, though??

I have never heard of coconut water as a laxative, and it doesnt have that effect on my body.... Did you read this somewhere? I would be interested in reading about this.

Also, I wanted to mention that I HATED the way coconut water tasted at first....I think its an acquired taste. And make sure its very cold, and try squeezing a little lime in it!

The benefits are amazing. 

[treeoflife3]

I didn't like how coconut water tasted at first either, but I've since acquired it.  It still isn't my favorite if its the plain coconut water but I really like the mango and pineapple flavors.  My daughter loves the acai flavor.

[IdentityCrisisMama]

Ooh!  It has flavors - that's great!  I don't like the water from a coconut but I've never had it from the store.  I was planning on making a smoothy with it to mask the taste that way but I'm sure I would like the mango flavor.  I love mango.  ;-)  Although NN's idea for a pina colada sound pretty yummy...only with the rum.  ;-)  

[LittleBirdy]

My midwives recommended Gatorade or Recharge (it was on my supplies list, specifically).  I ended up absolutely addicted to the Tropical flavor of Recharge (and found the other 2 flavors repulsive).  I couldn't stop drinking the stuff, to the point where I was constantly running around buying more to make sure I had it on hand if I went in to labor.  One day I went to three different grocery stores and bought them out!

I wanted to do coconut water, but while pregnant coconut water just tasted like liquid garbage to me.  It tastes better now, it was just a pregnancy thing.

And maybe this is a little too much info... but I ate grapes during labor and found they were... ah... very easy to get back up, let's just say.

[Meganlove]

I used emergen-C and honey. My MW mixed it for me for energy and hydration. It worked well. Funny thing I hate emergen-C in "real" life but when my MW said this will help I was all about it. Anything to help after 20 hours :) 

[noahs.mom06]

I've been drinking this for coconut water- http://www.cocohydro.com/ I love the pomegranate raspberry flavor, and I haven't liked any of the packaged coconut waters I've tasted.

ETA- it's also cheaper than buying the packaged coconut water, I paid $10 for the pouch of mix at Whole Foods and each pouch makes 25 8 oz servings.

[Banana731]

 One thing to be aware of when using coconut water is that drinking too much can have a laxative effect. This characteristic of coconut water may or may not be desirable depending on the normal frequency of bowel movements. For those who are constipated, drinking lots of coconut water may be a good thing. For everyone else, consumption may be best limited to bowel tolerance. Bowel tolerance is the maximum amount of coconut water you can drink without experiencing loose stools. This will vary with each individual. Bowel tolerance may increase with regular use. 

from cocotap.com which appears to be a very pro-coconut site...I just googled, though.

I just know that my grandparents wouldn't let me drink too much of it, for this reason! But with it's recent popularity as a drink in the US as of late, it must take a lot to do this. Otherwise I'm sure people would be talking about it.

[Homebirth_Mom216]

Thank you for all of the replies!!  I actually thought I had asked the question too late because a few hours after I asked contractions hit (a week early) and we thought we were in labor.  Well, still no baby, but anxiously waiting.  Can I ask where you all buy your coconut water?  I've never bought it before.  Is it only at health food stores, or would a regular grocery store or a trader joes have it?  Thanks!!  Same for Recharge, where can you buy it? 

[Banana731]

they sell it everywhere around here.

[sharita]

I have also not been able to find coconut water or recharge.  We have a super walmart, super kmart, target, and a healthfood store I havent checked out yet.  Only gatorade and powerade in walmart, kmart.  Havent seen coconut water anywhere either.  What stores do you find recharge or coconut water in and what section?