Why just clear liquids during labor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:wow.

I'm an anesthesiologist, and I've had 5 kids, four by c-section.

Clear liquids, great! Food? You better be healthy, reasonably slim, with a normal labor pattern and a healthy baby. Yeah, midwives are great, but they pass all the sick patients to the OB docs, that's why everything's so "awesome" with midwives.

If you're sick, the baby's sick, or you're obese, you're at higher risk of emergency C-section. Your airway is swollen during pregnancy, 10x higher risk of complications during breathing tube placement for general anesthesia. You will become very ill, or die, if chunks of food or stomach acid end up in your lungs.

off topic, for all the "natural" childbirth fans-- being induced with drugs (pitocin, cytotec) is NOT natural. If you don't want an epidural, no problem, but going without painkillers is only part of the "natural" experience. No medals are awarded for drug-free vaginal delivery; we all just want healthy babies!

I breastfed all my kids until 13 months, no formula, so don't give me crap for having 4 medically necessary c-sections. I have some hippie cred!

Ugh, I hate this shit. What's your problem? Why do you insist on lumping women into defined categories ("hippie cred") as though people who get c-sections don't also breastfeed? Huh?

FWIW, I went unmedicated because I was afraid of the side effects of the epidural. It had nothing to do with getting a medal or some intrinsic valuing of things "natural." I combo fed - probably 90% formula and gave up breastfeeding entirely at four months. I know this is just anecdotal, but it just seems like there are so many assumptions in this post that aren't necessary. And why do you even care if women choose to go unmedicated?

I’ve had one epidural birth, two unmedicated. I didn’t do it for a medal, and I don’t even tell people I did it unmedicated for fear of their judgement. I did it because I didn’t like the Epidural with my first child, and then with my second I discovered that although the pain was as incredible, so was the “high” of endorphins (which are blocked by an epidural).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:wow.

I'm an anesthesiologist, and I've had 5 kids, four by c-section.

Clear liquids, great! Food? You better be healthy, reasonably slim, with a normal labor pattern and a healthy baby. Yeah, midwives are great, but they pass all the sick patients to the OB docs, that's why everything's so "awesome" with midwives.

If you're sick, the baby's sick, or you're obese, you're at higher risk of emergency C-section. Your airway is swollen during pregnancy, 10x higher risk of complications during breathing tube placement for general anesthesia. You will become very ill, or die, if chunks of food or stomach acid end up in your lungs.

off topic, for all the "natural" childbirth fans-- being induced with drugs (pitocin, cytotec) is NOT natural. If you don't want an epidural, no problem, but going without painkillers is only part of the "natural" experience. No medals are awarded for drug-free vaginal delivery; we all just want healthy babies!

I breastfed all my kids until 13 months, no formula, so don't give me crap for having 4 medically necessary c-sections. I have some hippie cred!

Ugh, I hate this shit. What's your problem? Why do you insist on lumping women into defined categories ("hippie cred") as though people who get c-sections don't also breastfeed? Huh?

FWIW, I went unmedicated because I was afraid of the side effects of the epidural. It had nothing to do with getting a medal or some intrinsic valuing of things "natural." I combo fed - probably 90% formula and gave up breastfeeding entirely at four months. I know this is just anecdotal, but it just seems like there are so many assumptions in this post that aren't necessary. And why do you even care if women choose to go unmedicated?

Pinging 2012, 2020 wants to know whats wrong with you!

[Anonymous]

There is a healthy green juice that Whole Foods and Safeway carry called Suja (that’s the brand). I drank it throughout pregnancy and had it during pre-labor and labor. It qualifies as a clear drink, which is apparent when the drink settles. However, when you shake it up, it is no longer clear, but green.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone else completely freaked out by this? I can't imagine the possibility of NOT eating for 24+ hours of a physical challenge. Are you thinking of sneaking food?

So if something goes wrong and you have to have a c section, you don't choke to death on your own vomit! I cannot believe this is a serious question!

[Anonymous]

It’s in case you need emergency surgery. You’ll be fine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another benefit of only clear liquids is that you have a lower chance of pooping during labor.

I know this is an old post, but everybody poops during labor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone else completely freaked out by this? I can't imagine the possibility of NOT eating for 24+ hours of a physical challenge. Are you thinking of sneaking food?

There should be a mandatory 3-digit IQ before any female can get pregnant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another benefit of only clear liquids is that you have a lower chance of pooping during labor.

I know this is an old post, but everybody poops during labor.

I didn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another benefit of only clear liquids is that you have a lower chance of pooping during labor.

I know this is an old post, but everybody poops during labor.

I did with my first and was so mortified I took some milk of magnesia the night before my scheduled induction with #2. Voila, no poop for that one!

[Anonymous]

I can’t imagine eating during labor...actual labor that is.