vegan alternative to honey sticks for labor?

[swl73]

Hi all,

My midwife recommends having honey sticks for quick energy during labor.  We're vegan and don't do honey.  Does anyone have a suggestion for something vegan that would have a similar effect?

Thanks in advance!

[josamen]

honey sticks?  do you mean graham crackers?  if so I believe they do make graham crackers that aren't sweetened with honey and in fact might not contain any sweetener at all

[wishin'&hopin']

Would brown rice syrup work?  Or agave nectar? Or maple syrup (the REAL kind)?

[catnip]

http://maplecommunity.com/maple-candy/ ?

[SundayCrepes]

Frozen grapes. Wash them and let them get totally dry. If there's any water on them it will form ice crystals and they might stick together. Freeze them on a wax paper covered cookie sheet. When they're frozen put them in Ziplock brand (BPA free) freezer bags or other freezer containers.

Though I don't know if they work. I had 2 hours of wondering if I was in labor, an hour of discomfort, and an hour of pushing. We used our stash of grapes after the baby was born.

[swl73]

Thanks, everyone, for your responses.

Josamen,they're not graham crackers - honey sticks are little packets of flavored honey that people eat like candy or use as sweeteners.

I ran your ideas by our doula/birth assistant and she especially liked the maple syrup idea.  So I just went out and bought some.  Thanks. everyone!

[megame]

I've actually seen agave nectar sticks. they look the same as the honey ones, but there agave and I think they avhe different flavors?  They have them at a coop out here but they're pretty veg friendly, so not sure how common they are.  Might be on the internet otherwise..

[Baby_Cakes]

Why do honey sticks work?  Is it the sugar content?  I didn't need them (labor was too fast) but I got some Whole Fruit lime ice pops to have in case I needed something to suck on with sugar.

[swl73]

I think it's the sugar content.  It seems like a pretty common recommendation for labor.  We're stocked up with maple syrup over here!

[Karmalife]

I took two large containers of coconut water. You get your sugar and electrolytes and it tastes delicious!