Nutrition
Give your body what it needs to work well
The things we put into our body can help make labor smoother
Dr. Brewer
The Brewer Diet helps maintain adequate resources for the mother's body to expand the blood volume properly. This blood volume expansion is very important for the placenta to function well. The lake of blood that feeds the placenta nourishes the baby as well.
A lack of blood may result in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), placental detachment and possibly preeclampsia.
The reason that a lack of blood may lead to preeclampsia is that the body views this occurrence as if the body were hemorrhaging. Conversely, when the body has enough protein to build the blood volume, it expands by roughly 50-60%. The protein provides the body with the resources to make albumin, which is an egg white like substance that pulls the fluid from the surrounding tissue and keeps it in circulation. Salt also helps create osmotic pressure, keeping the blood where it needs to be. Therefore, eating 80-100 grams of protein daily may prevent complications. This diet may protect a mother from excessive swelling and give her the resources she needs postpartum, so that she has enough blood to support the normal amount lost with birth.
Medjool Dates
Medjool Dates have been studied for their impact on the birth process and they have been found to contribute to more ripeness detected in the mother's cervix once labor begins, shorter and easier labors. The mothers who ate dates reported that their labor was more comfortable than the mothers in the non-date eating group.
Dates are great sources of magnesium, potassium and other nutrients.
Magnesium and potassium work together with calcium to coordinate muscular function. They make it possible for the muscle to contract comfortably and for the fibers to work smoothly. They are a great source of natural energy and can help fuel your uterus for labor.
They are a healthy choice for birth preparation.
What & How to Eat?
The Brewer Diet has categories and there is an app that can track your intake of those specific items. In general, eating eggs, milk, yogurt, leafy greens and lots of fruits and vegetables are going to provide you with the vitamins and minerals that you need. Some substitutions can be made for special diets.
Lintels are a wonderful source of protein and magnesium.
Find a few things that work in your diet and modify the items where needed, paying careful attention to the total intake. The protein should be spread over the course of the day to prevent the body from ever being deprived of this vital component of the Brewer Diet. Snacks between meals can help. Greek yogurt packs a big protein punch. Some nuts with a date is a good choice for a snack. Make sure you have 2-3 servings of leafy greens each day. Combine this with vitamin C for maximum iron absorption. Oranges, grapefruit, clementine, tangerine, broccoli, and strawberries are all good sources. If you eat meat, have liver at least once a week. It is packed with vitamins that help your pregnant body stay healthy. In addition to the app, there is a printable chart on the Brewer Diet website that can be filled in daily.
Diet for Pregnancy & Labor
We need to pay careful attention to what we eat while we are pregnant to help stay low risk whenever possible. We need to support our body with the energy it needs to work well. Following the Brewer Diet is one tried and true method for this.
Dr. Brewer and others after him observed drastic improvements in the outcomes of the women who followed this diet.
It is also important for a mother to make certain that she is getting what she needs during labor. She may have a suppressed appetite in active labor, but she should try to eat regular meals in early labor. Each mom should follow her instincts and cravings and eat what sounds good to her, but most importantly, she should continue to eat.
Good labor foods include: Dates, crackers, energy bars, yogurt, lintel soup
Electrolyte drinks are also important: Coconut water, honey and lemon in tea, apple juice, soup broths.
Some Brewer Diet Results
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About Protein
Dr. Brewer recommends eating 80-100g of protein to help support a healthy pregnancy. Eating frequent meals with adequate protein helps support the blood volume expansion. 2600 calories gives your body the energy it needs.
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About Magnesium
Most people are deficient in magnesium. Magnesium may reduce the incidence of leg cramps and constipation. It works together with potassium and calcium to coordinate muscular functioning and may make for an easier and faster labor.
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About Salt
The trace minerals in real sea salt or pink salt help support a healthy body and healthy pregnancy. Salt may contribute to an adequate blood volume expansion and less swelling, while also potentially helping to prevent preeclampsia.
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About Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
Red Raspberry Leaf Tea is full of nutrients that help the uterus function well. Many women find that their menstrual cramps are more comfortable and efficient. Pregnant women often report having shorter, more comfortable labors.