Eating in labor is back in the news. The process of restricting food in labor in the US began in the 1940s. The fears then were that moms would inhale whatever was in their stomachs into their lungs should they need a cesarean section or have general anesthesia. Due to the increased use of regional anesthesia, like the epidural or spinal, and changes in various techniques and protocols, these risks are not found to be true. In fact, the authors of this study say, "...there is no justification for the restriction of fluids and food in labour for women at low risk of complications."
One of the things that I hear a lot from women is that they don't know how long they can go without food, particularly when working so very hard. I had a doula client who was a long distance runner. She pointed out, "We have food stops and water breaks every so many miles, why wouldn't the marathon of labor be the same?" The article does discuss how the thought of being without food can be anxiety producing, which is something I have witness at a good percentage of births where food and drink are restricted.
It is also important that women take this as an opportunity to do what feels best for them. They may want to eat and drink, as I call it, to comfort. Don't go for a big meal if you're not feeling it, just because you think you should. I find when left to their own devices most moms sip fluids through out labor, and nibble here and there on various foods. Early labor is when more moms are likely to sit down with anything resembling a meal, preparing for the hard work to come. After that, it's a few bites of yogurt, some cereal, perhaps a bagel with cream cheese or a peanut butter sandwich. Some moms don't want to eat at all, and that's okay too. "Thus, given these findings, women should be free to eat and drink in labour, or not, as they wish," conclude the authors.
Will you eat or drink in labor? What's on your labor menu?
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Source:
Mandisa Singata, Joan Tranmer, Gillian ML Gyte. Restricting oral fluid and food intake during labour. The Cochrane Library, 2013 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003930.pub3
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Moms Should Be Allowed to Eat and Drink in Labor originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Friday, August 23rd, 2013 at 08:34:26.
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"We recently shared the news that we are expecting #2. Our first child is one and will be close to 2 when the baby is born. When we told the entire family at once, there was complete awkward silence for what seemed to be 10 minutes. I just got up and went outside because I wanted to cry. When I came back inside still no one had said a thing to me. As people were leaving a good majority of them said congratulations (but it didn't seem sincere or happy to say it).
