is anyone here allowed to eat while in labor?

americanada

i understand why you can't, but in some of my research, it makes me think that giving your body fuel would far outweigh the minimal risk involved. i can't imagine any hospital allowing this, but i'm still going to talk to my mw about it. anyone else agree with me?

IrishBrideND

Hospital says no, doc says yes. I was told to pack a few snacks.

AlishaRichelle

We have a cooler full of "liquidy" items... homemade chicken broth, oj, izze soda, yogurt, applesauce.

cdc1982

My hospital doesn't allow it.  The rule was actually set by the anesthesiologists.  We were told "we can't control what you eat before getting here but once you're here, you get no food, only ice chips".  They do highly discourage you from eating though, once labor starts, even if at home.  Apparently this is because around 6-8cm's (mainly if you get an epi), you're more likely to throw up & they don't want that to happen; plus the possible risk of going into surgery.  At least, that's what the L&D nurse told us.

MWoodside

No, my Dr is being a bastard about it.  I am going to eat at home before I go in though.

mjm123

I talked to my OB about it, and she said that by the time I get to the hospital, it probably won't be an issue anyway. You digest food so slowly while in labor and it just sits in your stomach for much, much longer than it normally does. Most women aren't even hungry.

 I agree with the idea, though, that your body needs fuel and I will have snacks like granola and gatorade with me and will eat them if I feel I really need them, despite the fact that it is against hospital policy. My hospital only allows ice chips. 

NFL_Wife

I think most docs and hospitals say no. Add this to the list of things to ask my MW...

DorisLevine

Even if the hospital tells you not to eat, if you want to eat -- eat!  What are they going to do, kick you out of L & D if they find you snacking?  You might not make friends with the hospital staff, but it's a somewhat ridiculous policy based on the generally very low risk that you'll need to go under for a c-section. 

americanada

honestly, i hate throwing up, but i'd much rather that, than run out of energy during labor.  i believe mainly it's so if you have to be put under general anesthesia, you don't choke on your vomit (if you throw up)...but that seems to be very rare that that happens. also, what if you are out to eat, having a big meal and your water suddenly breaks and you have a very fast delivery?  what difference would it make then?  you would have food in your system.

katcarls

My mw is fine with eating and drinking during labor.   The biggest concern with not having an empty stomach is when being put under with general anesthesia which is no longer the norm for a c-section.

lolagrinnin

I am allowed to eat while I'm in labor. They did say that it's unlikely that I'll want pizza, though. Suggestions were yogurt, grapes, crackers, carrots, celery - basically light snacks.

miaomi

Technically, the hospital says no.  But I'm planning on bringing stuff and eating anyways.  It's not like they are going to smack me or wheel me out on to the sidewalk and leave me there.  It's a rule in case you have to go completly under and asperate food into your lungs.  It's not common to have happen.  I'm ok with the risk..

smittysoup

I am in the hospital in labor right now (water broke) and my midwife just told me I need to order food.

So yes, I'm allowed to eat! And I'm glad, because I'm starving!

cathylynn1213

Our bithing class said that if you have special circumstances-- like low blood sugar-- you can, but you need get permission from your doc. However-- as much as I like to eat, I'd be cautious about it-- what does down often comes up.

k_lynn8488

My mom ate McD's while in the hospital before she had my sister. The nurse came in freaking out, but then her doctor came in, had some fries, and asked how she was doing. Lol

abaslittlegirl@yahoo.com

I talked to my doctor and the hospital and they said clear liquids and such like jello, popsicles, and flu foods.  It was also recommended to eat before going to the hospital (things that are light) while in the early stages of labor cause once you get to the hospital you don't have as many food options.  

I am definitely planning on eating what I can

GL

abaslittlegirl@yahoo.com

From what I was told, if you eat light/flu like foods things there is a bit less of a chance to throw up then if you eat something heavy. 

Take snacks, but your hospital may provide some.  

Jennicap

Yes I can and am encouraged to do so. BUT once your in late active labor I've been told you really have no desire to eat and I don't plan on getting to the hospital until that stage!

bmb10

My hospital allows you to eat until you get an epidural, then I think its just ice chips after that. I'm hypoglycemic so I'm kind of worried about not being able to eat, I don't want to pass out mid push! I'm planning to eat something right before I get the epi so I have the strength I need.

flyer23

I was induced with DD -- Cervidil overnight and Pitocin in the morning. They brought me a big breakfast to eat before the Pitocin was started. Once the Pitocin was started and I was in active labor, the nurse told me clear liquids only. Which was fine by me, because I wasn't really that hungry. I drank the heck out of some cranberry juice, though

BTW, I had talked to my OB ahead of time about it, and she said she was fine with me eating whatever I wanted but that the nurses might not be. I didn't press the issue because like I said, I wasn't hungry, but I did have some snacks in my bag just in case.

With DS, I had a homebirth, and my midwife actually forced me to eat during labor! I wasn't really hungry again, but she asked me if there was anything that sounded like it could be good, and I said I thought I could eat some fruit. So I had some apples with peanut butter and it was perfect. Luckily, my labor was short and that was all I needed, but I know she would have encouraged me to continue eating if labor had gone on longer.

lite-bright

My OB said I could eat bland foods during the early stages of my induction with DD1, and I did. 

Of course, I threw it all back up b/c the pain was so bad before I got the epi, so it didn't do me much good.  

 

BBachmann

They nurses say no because often you end up throwing it back up and then they have a mess to clean up.

If the husband insists on getting food they'll give him a bucket so he can have it handy.

MorissaW

I think the hospital says no but I am going to anyway. Last time I went to Denny's before going to the hospital.

shanad

I was told to eat lightly while in labor at home.  The major concern is that if they have to use anesthia for an emergency-c. 

 Our birth class instructor had one good idea.  Freeze some clear liquids other than water in water bottle to make your own ice chips example, white grape or white cranberry juice.  This way you can keep you sugar levels up and gives a slight energy boost.

I thought this was very good idea.

MelonieK

Ice chips and popsicles only here once the epidural is in.

JenG1979

yes.....ICE CHIPS!!!!!

smittysoup

they have a full range of jello, apple juice cranberry juice etc, here in the hospital.  I would find out what they have for you before you bother bringing your own

katiemarie

Chances are you won't be hungry.  When I went into labor I made myself some toast at home but was trying to eat it inbetween contractions and then I just gave up. 

 

Once at the hospital I drank a ton of water and was allowed juice.  I was not hungry at ALL.  I don't think I ate anything until a few hours after I had my daughter.  Oh and after my epidural wore off after birth, I threw up violently so I was glad it was just juice in my system LOL.  

ToledoDeux

I ate like a pig in active labor both times, and was "allowed" to (the hospital actually kept bringing my meals - and they weren't broth, either!).

I think denying a laboring woman food and water is barbaric, personally, and evidence does not support this practice.

Hip2Bsquare

OOooooooh big whoop so you throw it up....your body took some of the sugars and made fuel before you did throw it up. Again it sounds stupid and more for convenience that the nurses rather you not eat...God forbid if they have to work and clean up someones vomit!

Our midwife and birthing center allow eating...they even tell us to bring foods and have a fridge in the room for us. They provide "light" foods thins you would want if you had a stomach flu BUT if we want something else we are welcome to bring it.

Eating during labor actually decreases labor I think bu 90 min. All I know is as long as I am hungry I will be eating.