snacks during labor (also posted in natural birth)

flerlgirl

joules235 said:

flerlgirl said:

joules235 said:

PrimRoseMama said:

@joules235‌ : that's cool. You do you. However, it's not advisable or wise to advocate others disregard their medical instructions. No one goes into labor expecting complications or emergency C sections. However, shit happens. They don't tell you these things to torture you. It's so you don't have horrible reactions. I puked bile during my labor with DS. That's after my entire lunch & an ice pop came back up. In addition to the pain of labor I felt awful puking my guts out. I can't imagine dinner on top of that. I went 12 hours without food & experienced very little fatigue. In fact the most tired I was was 48 hours later after the adrenaline worn off. Ice chips & Popsicles were alright. So yeah-- sign your consent form. That's cool but I can't advise others to do the same.

I think it can be just as dangerous for somebody to just agree with the instructions just because a doctor/care provider said it.  Everybody is different and everybody will have a different labor experience. Talk to your doctor, do you research and make a decision that works for you. Puking might be uncomfortable or even fucking awful but I will still choose to eat during labor if I want to. The benefits greatly outweigh the risks.

I guess I don't see the point of having a doctor at all if you're not going to listen to them. I understand that you should be smart about decisions and stay informed. But I did a lot of research before choosing my doctor so that I would be able to trust him for things like this. Same with my hospital. Do what works for you and it really doesn't matter to me if you choose to eat or not. I just don't understand why so many people have doctors they apparently don't trust. 

This particular issue tends to be a hospital policy not necessarily a doctors recommendation to his/her patient. Some hospitals allow eating during labor so obviously there is disagreement among the medical community on this particular issue. It is more of a liability issue than an actual health hazard.

I have personally dealt with doctors and nurses who were incompetent on a number of occasions and so I don't just implicitly trust them. In my experience when you blindly trust a doctor my mom ends up with 7 vertebra fused and a temporarily paralyzed (for 3 months) right arm, when all she needed was a back brace and a pain killer. Or my Grandma who went in for a heart cath and the doctor screwed up and tore her aorta, 1 month later in the ICU she finally wakes up...  I dont even know how many urologists and nurses my Mom fired when my Grandpa was sick because they were screwing things up and needlessly causing my Grandpa pain. I fired my Husband's orthopedic surgeon because he is a drug addict.

Doctors aren't gods and I have no problem questioning them if I don't agree or need further explanation. Sometimes a nurse has a bad day or the doctor was up all night operating, I'm not interested in receiving care from somebody who isn't totally on top of it.

I want to know my options, I want to know the pros and cons of each and if I want the right to refuse and question. Also pregnancy isn't a sickness, it's a normal bodily function and there is more choice involved because it isn't a pathology nor is it an emergency, usually.

Obviously if there are legitimate medical concerns or an emergency situation you don't always have time for fact checking and questions. In that case I just hope they keep everybody alive and we can deal with other issues later.

And I agree with you - know your options, be informed, do your research. I have just noticed a trend of mistrusting doctors on TB. You have dealt with some awful doctors and that sucks. I guess I also just balance that with my own experiences and my effort to choose doctors/hospitals who can make those decisions for me because they have the experience and wisdom that goes with it. I tend to be a little naive and think the best of everyone so that probably factors in as well. 

Hadynimogen

im in the uk and at my hospitals we are also encouraged to eat and drink during labour.  i took granola bars, bananas, water and energy drinks (for hubby) and chocolate sweeties

Ashleypixie

I was only allowed ice chips from the second I was admitted, but my husband snuck diet coke and french fries (oddly enough there was a McDonalds in the hospital). It didn't take long for it to come back up, everywhere, because of the pain and some drug they gave me. That alone made it not worth it. One of the many reasons to follow the hospital rules.

LightBright515

The not eating concept prior to surgery isn't outdated, and it wont be going anywhere. Aspiration of stomach contents into the lungs is serious business. I think small snacks that provide nutrients are the way to go. Nuts, dried fruit, trail mix, etc. 

Foods that are digested easily basically.  

ishvisahaani

I am seven months pregnant now. I usually prefer baby carrot, milk, salads & fruits etc... I love to eat panipoori. It is very famous in India.

jenn43

Our hospital's general policy was to keep patients NPO during labor, but my midwife actually wrote me for a full diet.  I didn't eat more than some bread and fruit in early labor, but my husband was able to finish my tray and didn't have to leave the room.  I also drank plenty of water throughout (with many reminders from my husband!!)

ElyseF2014

I couldnt eat / think pf eating during labor.