04/25/2021
Tips for doulas: energy jelly beans!
One of the markers of active labor is the lessening of appetite for most folks. When a laboring person is hungry for/able to eat a full meal, it's one of those signs for us that they are likely still in early labor. The body is brilliant; as the work of labor ramps up, the body wants to focus on the work of labor and not on digestion - thus a lessening of appetite.
Aaaaaaand - the work of labor takes energy, even when folks aren't feeling so hungry. Small bites and foods that are easy to eat/digest (think fruit, crackers, toast, smoothies, applesauce) are sometimes do-able for folks (particularly earlier in active labor).
And sometimes food is really just not doing it for folks. Juice, popsicles, broth, and honey sticks are options and many doulas also have energy goo of some kind in their bag (like what long distance athletes use - they've got carbs and electrolytes). But if you're not a long distance athlete, the texture of the goo can be off-putting.
Enter energy jelly beans. Jellybelly has jelly beans that are essentially goo in jelly bean form - folks know what to expect from a jelly bean, they can chew just a couple at a time and get some of what their body might be needing to carry on the work of labor.
You can even get ones that have a bit of caffeine in them - these are sometimes appreciated during pushing for an extra energy boost.
We just order small individual packets online in bulk.
And pssssst - you might appreciate them for yourself during a long birth. 💛
