Enrich your birth experience with a menu created just for you

Chef Ogygia, is a vegan, gluten-free, allergen friendly chef and holistic pain management specialist. Why should should hire a private chef? As you prepare to meet your new bundle of joy, it is important to make sure you are supported and taking care of yourself. The goal of hiring a private chef is to reduce some of your stress and worries as an expecting parent(s). During pregnancy, many individuals experience changes in their appetite and/or health and can find it challenging to eat when dealing with diabetes, preeclampsia, nausea and vomiting.  Having a private chef can be a invaluable asset to allow those expecting to focus on enjoying and preparing, while also ensuring a balanced nutrition lifestyle.  

For my parents who are considering hiring a private chef for childbirth and postpartum solely, but are unsure or have questions about eating during childbirth. It has been a common practice for individuals to only be allowed sips of water and or ice chips during labor, which began in the 1940s. However, modern evidence show that restricting oral nutrition during labor can have adverse effects on labor and postpartum. According to an article by Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group, "Restriction of oral intake may be unpleasant for some women, and may adversely influence their experience of labour." (Singata, M., Tranmer, J., & Gyte, G. M.. 2013) Historically, the reason behind the restriction of oral nutrition was based on the life threatening risk of aspiration either during or after being administered general anesthesia (used in c-sections).

 In a 2016 clinical bulletin published by the American College of Nurse-Midwives, the review of the evidence concluded that not only is the evidence to reduce the risk of gastric aspiration by restricting oral nutrition inconclusive; but increased the risk of adverse effects for the patient. (Providing Oral Nutrition to Women in Labor: American College of Nurse-Midwives. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2016)The risks associated with restricting oral nutrition is developing ketosis, negatively effecting a women's oxytocin (which regulates and aids in a safe birth, as well as health and bond of mom and baby) and increase of stress which leads to the release of the stress hormone cortisol. "Physiological and psychological stress during childbirth and lactation can have negative effects on the progress of labor, breastfeeding and bonding."  (Walter, M. H., Abele, H., & Plappert, C. F. (2021). The Role of Oxytocin and the Effect of Stress During Childbirth: Neurobiological Basics and Implications for Mother and Child.) Developing ketosis also increases the life threatening risks for parent and baby such as:  chorioamnionitis, an infection of the placenta and amniotic fluid during labor and endometritis occurring after delivery, inflammation of the lining of your uterus caused by infection.

The risks associated with stress especially during pregnancy, is why OBGYNs, Midwives and Doulas educate their clients the importance of having as close to a stress free pregnancy and postpartum as possible. High psychosocial stress and chronic hypertension (high blood pressure) throughout pregnancy can act in combination to increase the risk of preeclampsia up to 20-fold. Which can not only happen during pregnancy, but can manifest postpartum up to six weeks or later after childbirth. 

Whether it is throughout your pregnancy, childbirth or postpartum, Chef Ogygia can create customized menus to meet the needs to support a beautiful and healthy experience for both parent(s) and baby. 

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