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Has anyone ever made a groaning cake?
First off for my contacts, I know I never update anymore, and I've been spending no time on here, sorry! I'm 28 weeks now with my baby girl, doing well, feeling good. She's a feisty little one, and I enjoy every kick.
Now that I'm officially in the third trimester I've been thinking more and more about labour, and what my ideal labour would be like. I've read a bit on groaning cakes (cakes baked during early labour), but haven't heard of anyone who has actually tried it.
The thought of an apple + cinnamon cake baking in the oven sounds so soothing and like it would create the perfect atmosphere while at home, plus cake would definitely keep my energy levels up if labour is long.
So has anyone out there done this? Any stories/recipes to share?
I'm also a doula, and have read the birth house, was hoping to find some more stories/recipes though.
In terms of eating during labour being bad, there is absolutely no evidence to suppose this. All recent studies show that there is no downside to eating/drinking during labour, and that snacking actually helps keep energy levels up and should be encouraged during early labour.
2 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
it's not good to eat when in labor. if you want medicine the food in your stomach could make you sick! you can bake a cake but I promise even if you are hungry in the beginning once full blown labor sets in you will be thankful you didn't eat!
- 1 decade ago
I'm a doula and I've always wanted to make a groaning cake with a woman in labor.
If you like old pregnancy folklore like this you should read a book called THE BIRTH HOUSE by AMI MCKAY. It's a fiction book about a midwife at the turn of the century, absolutely phenomenal.
ANYWAYS, on her website, ami mckay posted a recipe for a groaning cake, so here it is :)
Groaning Cake
The tradition of the groaning cake, or kimbly at (or following) a birth is an ancient one. Wives' tales say that the scent of a groaning cake being baked in the birth house helps to ease the mother's pain. Some say if a mother breaks the eggs while she's aching, her labour won't last as long. Others say that if a family wants prosperity and fertility, the father must pass pieces of the cake to friends and family the first time the mother and baby are "churched" (or the first time they go to a public gathering) after a birth. Many cultures share similar traditions…a special dish, bread, or drink, spiced with cinnamon, all spice, and/or ginger. At one time there was even a "groaning ale" made to go with it…
I made groaning cake the day of my son's home birth and my neighbour brought me "health bread" the day after the birth. This recipe is a combination of the two. It has apple, molasses, orange juice and spices and can really help to see a woman through a long labour, or give her strength after the birth!
2 ½ Cups Flour
3 eggs
2 tsp. Baking powder
½ Cup oil
1 tsp. Baking soda
½ Cup orange juice
2 tsp. Cinnamon
¼ Cup molasses
½ tsp. Ground cloves
1 1/3 Cups sugar
1 ½ cups apple (grated, no skin)
1 tsp. Almond extract
Sift dry ingredients together. Add apple. Beat eggs. Add oil, orange juice, molasses and sugar. Add to dry ingredients. Mix well. Add almond extract. Bake at 350 F. for 35-40 minutes. Makes two 9 X 5 loaves or about 18 muffins.
Additions: raisins, dates, dried fruits, or nuts.
Source(s): http://www.thebirthhouse.com/recipes.htm
