During labor, low-risk women should have a free choice about eating and drinking; therefore, it is not justified for healthcare professionals to restrict this.
Eating and drinking is considered one of the important factors affecting comfort during labor. Nevertheless, birth practices often restrict the consumption of fluids and food. This has been the case since 1940, when Mendelson’s syndrome was described—the aspiration of gastric contents during general anesthesia, which can result in maternal death (Singata, Tranmer, Gyte 2013).
For decades, anesthesiologists, gynecologists, and midwives have debated the consumption of food and drink during labor. The main factors are:
- the risk of gastric aspiration if general anesthesia is required
- energy requirements during labor,
- the effect of ketosis on the mother and baby,
- hyponatremia due to hypotonic solutions,
- maternal stress due to restricted movement while connected to an IV,
- the impact of oral fluid and food intake on vomiting, the length of labor, and the fetus.
Studies conducted on this topic in the USA, Australia, and Europe show that vomiting and prolonged labor, which may result from eating and drinking during labor, do not affect birth outcomes for the mother or child. In 2007, the American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force on Obstetric Anesthesia issued a recommendation that low-risk women should consume only clear liquids at least 2 hours before anesthesia. Greater restrictions apply to women with higher risks, such as those with diabetes, obesity, or difficult airways. Since 2009, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has recommended the consumption of clear liquids. Since 2008, the American College of Nurse-Midwives has recommended that women with a low risk of gastric aspiration decide for themselves based on established guidelines.
The World Health Organization (WHO) issues guidance that healthcare providers should not restrict food and drink intake during labor where no risk factors are present, as energy needs during labor are high and food intake ensures the well-being of mothers and babies. Midwives and nurses working with laboring women are encouraged to participate in multidisciplinary teams and be involved in policy changes that unnecessarily restrict oral food and drink intake during labor for low-risk women (Shartsh-Hopko, 2010).
Poor nutritional balance can also be associated with a long and more painful labor. Furthermore, restricting food and drink does not guarantee an empty stomach or lower acidity of gastric contents. A review of the research showed no proven disadvantages or advantages to restricting food and drink during labor for low-risk women. Therefore, the authors state that women should decide for themselves whether they want to consume food and drink during labor (Singata, Tranmer, 2013).
Read more about how you can prepare your own drink for hydration during labor—it’s tasty too. You can also drink it after giving birth.
