Reply to Why just clear liquids during labor

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[quote=Anonymous]
Time and time again, research has shown that there is no reason to deny women food and water during labor. Yet it remains policy at so many hospitals.  I don't get it.  I would not give birth at a place that restricted my ability to eat or drink.  I think it's an indication that the practice is very medically oriented and is not practicing in an evidence based way.  There are a good number of providers and settings out there that have no restrictions on food and drink.

Here's some articles on research that finds no benefit to denying food and drink, and benefit to letting women eat and drink:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100119213043.htm

and 
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/26/health/26child.html

"Maternity wards have long forbidden women in labor to eat or drink. Even when labor goes on and on, the bill of fare is usually limited to ice chips.

Now a systematic review of existing studies has found no evidence that the restrictions have any benefit for most healthy women and their babies."

Yours is a legitimate concern.  Some women don't get hungry during labor, but most get thirsty, and not giving women the option to eat or drink is really inhumane, in my opinion.  When else in our lives is someone allowed to tell us that we can't eat?!  As a doula I have seen moms get really worn out and starving from these types of policies.

I have had some clients sneak food, if they were comfortable doing that.  I also encourage clients who are giving birth in food/drink restrictive environments to make sure that the clear liquids they are drinking are as high as possible in nutrition and calories...but there's only so much you can do with clear liquids.

I agree with the suggestion to stay home as long as possible -- and if you get to the hospital and you're less than 4 cm dilated, consider going home, or going to get a meal before you get admitted.   Make sure to eat lots before you go to the hospital.  And if you get induced, talk to your provider about having food during the cervical ripening stage -- at this point you're far from delivering your baby (usually) so the concerns about an imminent cesarean should be reduced.  Having to be induced without any food is really, really tough.

And I encourage you to print out some research studies and articles on this topic, bring them to your provider, and ask them why they are not practicing in a way that lines up with the best evidence possible.  You could do the same in labor -- bring some articles and give them to the nurses on call.

It's your body, and if you want to put food or drink in it, you should be able to.  If you want to eat despite the guidelines, tell them you're willing to sign an "against medical advice" form...or just go in the bathroom and chow down.

Best of luck! 
[/quote]

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