Labor Aid: Electrolyte Drink Recipe
During childbirth, maintaining a balance of sugar, electrolytes, and water is essential to support the body's energy needs and prevent dehydration.
Sugar provides quick energy to sustain the physical effort of labor, while electrolytes—such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium—help regulate muscle function, nerve signaling, and hydration levels.
Water ensures adequate blood flow and keeps the body functioning optimally.
Overhydration or consuming only plain water can dilute electrolytes, leading to imbalances that may cause fatigue or cramping.
A well-balanced intake supports stamina, promotes effective contractions, and helps birthing people feel stronger throughout labor.
This ‘Labor-Aid’ or Ginger Lemonade recipe is from a beautiful favorite book that I recommend to clients all the time: The First Forty Days. A client recently sipped this throughout her labor and she liked the flavor, the slight energy boost it gave her when she needed it, and that it was a healthy alternative to the soda and syrupy drink options traditionally found in the hosptial.
The properties of this drink can help revitalize a laboring woman through labor, giving her the energy she needs to make it through birth. Lemon, ginger, apple cider vinegar, and raw honey are deeply hydrating and nausea-managing with belly-soothing probiotics, and trace mineral drops replace minerals or electrolytes lost in your blood from the heavy sweat of laboring.
Make it in advance of your due date range, keep it in the fridge or freezer, and have your labor partner bring it to your lips as you labor.
Ginger Lemonade Labor-Aid
Ingredients:
1/4 cup (60ml) raw honey
1 cup (240ml) hot water
3 cups (720ml) cold or room-temperature water or sparkling mineral water
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup (120 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon fresh ginger pulp/juice (use a garlic press if you have one)
3 drops of ConcenTrace Trace Mineral Drops
3 drops of Bach Rescue Remedy (optional)
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions:
In a small heatproof mug or bowl, add the honey to the hot water and stir to dissolve. Pour into a 1-quart (1L) jar or pitcher, and add the cold or room-temperature water, vinegar, lemon juice, ginger pulp/juice, trace mineral drops, rescue remedy, if using, and the sea salt.
Feel free to adjust the sweetener and any other flavor elements to your taste. Keep in the fridge for up to 1 week and give it a shake each time you serve.
This is a tasty drink for anyone, whether pregnant or not! Especially if you go-to is something like Gatorade or a more sugary drink, try this as an alternative and see how it makes you feel!
