Hydration drinks for labor seem to all have one thing in common: the base for all of them is coconut water. For many folks that’s a great thing. Coconut water has electrolytes, some carbs, potassium and other nutrients. Plus it is very hydrating. Unfortunately, not everyone likes it.
This labor (or anytime) hydration drink is a heavy hitter when it comes to hydrating your body. Adapted from Dr. Aviva Romm’s recipe, this drink is a great option for those who want maximum hydration but don’t find coconut water quite as appealing as the rest of the world.
A note on sweeteners: This recipe features raw honey as the sweetener. Raw honey is said to have anti-microbial properties. If you dislike the taste of honey or don’t have any on hand, great alternatives could include maple syrup, monk fruit, stevia or agave syrup. Monk fruit and stevia sweeteners specifically have a glycemic index of 0, meaning they won’t spike your blood sugar in the way other sugars will. Maple syrup is a great natural option, but will cause a slight spike in blood sugar, with an glycemic index of 54 (0-50 is considered ‘low’). Honey’s glycemic index is 58, which also falls in the medium range. Agave syrup’s glycemic index is between 15-30, depending on the brand.
Especially for those with gestational diabetes, I would strongly recommend considering subbing the honey in this recipe for either monk fruit or stevia . Always discuss these kinds of things with your OB or midwife if you’re not sure what’s right for you.
Labor hydration drink
Ingredients
- 3-4 cups filtered water
- 2 Tbsp raw honey
- 2-3 Tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 tsp good quality salt | I use Redmond Real Salt
- 1/4 tsp baking soda | aluminum-free
- ice cubes | if using
Instructions
- Pour a splash of your filtered water into a quart mason jar or other container. Add the honey, and mix until well incorporated.
- Add the rest of the water, lime juice and salt. Stir to mix well.
- Now add the baking soda. This will make your drink fizzy. Mix well to incorporate all the baking soda.
- If using, add ice. That's it. Enjoy!
