Eating During Labor
Posted at 5:47 am on March 2, 2010 by Elizabeth
You are not supposed to eat, to drink, to walk around, or even move around a lot; you basically just sit there tied to a monitor and IV during the most endurance testing, hardest experience of life: labor. The concerns regarding no food or drink during labor are related to the possibility- however small- of an emergency c-section requiring general anesthesia and intubation- and the possibility of resultant aspiration pneumonia. This has been the standard hospital practice since the 1940’s in the era before common use of regional anesthesia such as epidurals. Recently, Cochrane research concluded that there is no reason for women with uncomplicated labors to be denied food or drink in labor. Apparently the hospitals at which I have delivered did not get the memo.
In the article published regarding this ‘news’ it was announced that the ACOG also loosened its stance on restricting food and drink to the laboring woman; one doctor also released a written statement:
“As for the continued restriction on food, the reality is that eating is the last thing most women are going to want to do since nausea and vomiting during labor is quite common,” Dr. William H. Barth, Jr., chair of ACOGs Committee on Obstetric Practice
Well, thanks, but being the annoying type of girl I am, I like to make my own decisions about what I want to do.
I was a bad girl. I ate and drank during ALL of my labors- what I wanted and when I wanted it..if you cannot be demanding when delivering a child when can you be? I am fine- my kids are fine. Granted, I did not need an emergency c- section requiring general anesthesia but I did vomit during one of my labors (sorry Heather).
With Peas I was eating something and the nurse walked in and told me I was not supposed to be eating- I retorted by asking if she was planning on kicking me out. No more was said about the issue and I got to finish my crackers. Another time I discussed it ahead of time with my OB- I was lucky to have him- said he could not say it was ok (liability issue)- but he wouldn’t say anything- my response was along the lines of – ok so I will not tell you I am eating. A nurse happened to walk in when I was eating a bagel and she told me I was not to eat- I said good to know and took a huge bite.
I found drinking cool beverages to be refreshing when I was struggling and even a little distracting. I found eating before the onset of hard intense contractions to be helpful to me. A way of getting needed energy to do what I needed to do.
Why did I feel the need to go against the nurses and doctors like this?? I understood the risk associated with my choice and decided my comfort was worth it- before everyone jumps all over me- there are risks associated with a lot of things! There are risks to epidurals- risks to driving- risks to everything!
The reality is the medical community is much more rigid about this than the midwife community. They are much more open to letting a woman do what she needs to do- in giving the control back to the woman but being there to guide and to facilitate, if necessary.
Doctors have recommendations on everything. It is up to you to be an informed patient and decided what works for you and what doesn’t. What did you do during your labor and how did your care-providers respond? We would love to hear from you!!
My birth experience-I birthed at home w/ both kids. The first was w/ a group of doctors the second birth was w/ a midwife. And it is so different than a hospital. W/ my first, they were actually *encouraging* that I eat during labor! And then w/in minutes (yes *minutes*) after giving birth they had me eating, even though I had no desire to eat. My second was very quick so no chance to want to eat or drink, but similarly I was eating w/in 30 minutes of birth. I agree that the medical community is very ridgid and all too often takes the route of “what we’ve always done” vs. the route of what is medically and scientifically proven to be safe or a better alternative.
Hey E, puke happens…I knew that going into the job.
Doulas are well aquainted with all kinds of bodily fluids.
I ate early on in both my labors and was encouraged to eat whenever I wanted by my midwives (I had a different midwife for each birth–one @ hospital, one @ home). I was also instructed by midwives to drink teas and healthy fluids throughout the labor because I had no IV.
I gave up eating ince active labor began because I had totally lost interest. I think our bodies really do tell us what we need. I’ve never known anyone interested in eating a big greasy meal during labor—usually its crackers, broth, tea, bread, a little juice or gingerale…etc if anything.
Most women I’ve been with during labor give up eating anything by the time it’s really gonna make much of a difference.
And yes, like April…eating and drinking as soon after labor as possible.
I wasn’t tucking into a 5 course meal- but in early labor that bagel really was fantastic.
By the time I was really going juice was my go to.
After delivery I ate a lot- I was STARVING! Again the nurses were less than thrilled that I was eating (what if I bled!!?!??!) If I hemorrhaged I figured there would be bigger fish to fry.
They also were not so keen on my being up never understood that one.