I’m a few days away from my due date, with so signs of baby. I suppose he may follow the footsteps of his sisters, arriving 12 and 7 days late. I feel SO ready, and not just physically. I’ve been trying to keep the house neat and the kitchen clean and the bathrooms spotless. Since you’re considered “full term” from 37 weeks onward, there’s this magical, torturous 5-week window that you could safely deliver a baby, and it’s enough to drive you crazy! You never know when labor may start, and I’m slightly paranoid the dinner dishes will be gracing our kitchen counters or the girls’ room will be a disaster, and folks will begin to ascend on our home for the HOME BIRTH! Haha. It’s a good feeling though, and at least I’m keeping busy with tasks that keep our home organized. Maybe I’ll pick up a few good habits while I wait for baby.

We have all our home birth supplies ready and organized in the guest room, the birth pool has been aired out, and I’m just waiting for these pesky little braxton hicks contractions to turn into the real deal. I have a cozy linen bathrobe hanging in my closet, just waiting for post-baby lounging. And the sheets and plastic liner are begging to be put on our bed.

Last week I experimented with a few labor aid recipes, and finally settled on two very similar recipes that I froze into popsicles and ice cubes. I may make another batch to just keep chilled in the refrigerator to drink. Who knows what will appeal to me when I’m in labor.

Labor aid is simply an electrolyte drink to have during labor, a healthier alternative to gatorade. I was severely dehydrated when I went into labor with Zoe, and my midwives did a really great job keeping me hydrated during labor with Naomi. I wanted to make sure I had healthy, drinkable options on hand for my first home birth! Anything to keep things in my favor and avoid transport! Not only does labor aid keep you hydrated, but it helps to replace vital minerals and electrolytes. I was hesitant to use coconut water, since I don’t usually enjoy drinking it plain. But with the added simple ingredients, and in frozen form, this drink is simply delicious, and coconut water has so many more electrolytes than other store bought electrolyte drink options!

Coconut Lemon Labor Aid
makes about 2 cups

Ingredients
1 cup coconut water
1/2 cup off-the-boil water
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/8 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp liquid calcium (I used Floradix)
2 tsp raw honey

Coconut Lemon Raspberry Leaf Labor Aid
makes a little over 2 cups

1 1/2 cups coconut water
1 cup raspberry leaf tea
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp liquid calcium (I used Floradix)
2 tsp raw honey

Directions
Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl or jar. I mixed the honey into the warm raspberry leaf tea and the off-the-boil water to make sure it dissolved completely. Then I added other ingredients and stirred thoroughly. Chill or freeze into popsicles or ice cubes. Enjoy during labor (or whenever you need hydration and to replenish electrolytes)!

SaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave