Bite Back with Abbey Sharp Planned, Pure & Perfect? The Modern Pressure to OPTIMIZE Natural Birth (and What Happens When Plans Change) with Jen Hamilton
Feb 24, 2026
Jen Hamilton, labor and delivery nurse, childbirth educator, and author of Birth Vibes, offers an empathetic, evidence-informed take on pregnancy and birth. She shares her own birth stories and demystifies myths about food and labor. Practical tips cover what to pack and eat, how decisions shift when plans change, and how to navigate interventions and healing without shame.
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Foods Don't Force Labor
- You cannot reliably induce labor with foods like dates or pineapple; your body will only start labor when it's ready.
- Jen Hamilton notes trying harmless foods is fine but warns against dangerous methods like castor oil or inserting objects.
Fuel Lightly During Labor
- Eat light, easily digestible carbs and electrolyte drinks during early labor to maintain energy and avoid nausea.
- Jen Hamilton recommends Gatorade/Powerade, electrolyte packets, honey sticks and “brunchy” snacks rather than heavy spicy meals.
Postpartum Cravings For Forbidden Foods
- Many new parents crave restricted foods immediately after birth, like sushi or deli meat, because pregnancy rules limited them.
- Abbey Sharp and Jen Hamilton share common examples: requests for sushi boats or a Jimmy John's sub.
