drinking water while in labor

kgail11

With DS (3 yrs ago) they wouldn't allow ANYTHING. Not even ice chips, I don't recall. But I read somewhere a few mts ago - cannot remember where grrrr! - that the rules have changed and they WILL allow small amts of water. Does anyone know for sure if that is true?

kerrbear72

Each hospitals policy varies on this.

There's no way I am going to let my hospital dehydrate me so they can just stick an IV in me instead. 

sugarangel77

IM going to freak if i cant have a sip of water. i drink water all day and night and Its not natural to not have it.

kacelle

It depends on your hospital.  I'd check with your OB at your next appointment.  As for me, I'm drinking water like it's going out of style during labour, whether they like it or not.

iris427

Policies vary by hospital but it's BS if you are told you can't even have water or ice. Personally I think you aren't a prisoner of the hospital--you're a grown woman who should be able to eat and drink whatever you want in labor.  

And by the way, ACOG says women should be allowed clear fluids:

For Release:August 21, 2009 Recommendations Relax on Liquid Intake during Labor Washington, DC -- Women in labor may be allowed to quench their thirst with more than just the standard allowance of ice chips, according to a new Committee Opinion released today from The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and published in the September issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Although the guidelines on prohibiting solid food while in labor or before scheduled cesarean surgery remain the same, ACOG says that women with uncomplicated labor, as well as uncomplicated patients undergoing a planned cesarean, may drink modest amounts of clear liquids during labor if they wish.Standard hospital policy for many decades has been to allow only ice chips for pregnant women in labor if they were thirsty. Women are not allowed to eat any solid food during labor. "The reason for restrictions on food and water (or other liquids) during labor is to avoid aspiration in the event that a woman needs to be anesthetized for a cesarean delivery," said William H. Barth, Jr, MD, of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and chair of ACOG's Committee on Obstetric Practice. Aspiration, which is potentially fatal, can occur when the contents of the stomach are drawn into the lungs while under anesthesia. Over the past 60 years, however, the incidence of maternal death due to aspiration while under anesthesia has declined dramatically, mainly due to the prohibition on solid foods as well as improvements in obstetric anesthesia.According to ACOG, women with a normal, uncomplicated labor may drink modest amounts of clear liquids such as water, fruit juice without pulp, carbonated beverages, clear tea, black coffee, and sports drinks. Fluids with solid particles, such as soup, should be avoided, however. Women who have uncomplicated pregnancies and are scheduled for a cesarean delivery may also drink these clear liquids up to two hours before anesthesia is administered."Allowing laboring women more than a plastic cup of ice is going to be welcome news for many," Dr. Barth said. "As for the continued restriction on food, the reality is that eating is the last thing most women are going to want to do since nausea and vomiting during labor is quite common."According to ACOG, expert consensus supports the recommendation that women undergoing a planned cesarean delivery or elective postpartum tubal ligation after vaginal birth should have no solid food from six to eight hours prior to surgery. Pregnant women who have additional risk factors for aspiration, such as morbid obesity or diabetes, and those at high risk for operative delivery (ie, forceps, vacuum), may need to be restricted from fluid intake on a case-by-case basis.Committee Opinion #441, "Oral Intake during Labor," is published in the September 2009 issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology. # # #The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is the nation's leading group of physicians providing health care for women. As a private, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization of approximately 56,000 members, ACOG: strongly advocates for quality health care for women; maintains the highest standards of clinical practice and continuing education of its members; promotes patient education; and increases awareness among its members and the public of the changing issues facing women's health care. https://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr08-21-09-2.cfm 

 

nycteach

Each hospital is different so definitely ask what the policy is at yours.  At my hospital because I am delivering with a midwife, I can eat and drink throughout labor.  If I had an OB, I think drinks are ok but food is a big no no.

Cassondra09

At my hospital the OBs only allow 'sips and chips' where as the MWs allow clear liquids. It just varies.

kgail11

Ya know.. with DS.. even though I pushed for 3.5 hrs and ended up w/a 4th degree laceration, I think the NO WATER thing really sucked the most!!! haha!!! And I really hope they have relaxed the rules this time around. I understand though, for medical reasons if I were to need a c-section unexpectedly, but sheeeesh it sucks.

00tedsgirl

It'll depend on the hospital.  I don't understand how who is attending (midwife v OB) makes a difference in the same hospital, though.  That makes no sense whatsoever.  Whomever is in the room does not change the risks/benefits of any given action by another person.

FWIW, I even puked ice chips with DS.  They could have offered me anything and I would not have been able to eat or drink it.

mrbear83

at my hospital, we can have small amounts of water at one time, ice chips or Italian Ice! Going to send DH out for those!!

MommyHarrison

Pretty sure that during our L&D tour, we were told we could have ice chips and I think some water. But, as PPs have said, all hospitals and OBs have different policies. Check with yours if you want to know for sure what to prepare for - or to prepare to fight! 

andigurl

We were told I could have ice chips and sips of water.  And no food.  All I can think is what if I'm in labor for like a while day or something.  This is more of an incentive to try and labor for a while at home and get some food before I head to L&D.

pinkflipflops44

As everyone else said it varies.  I was talking to one of my midwife's at my last appointment and she said that she crosses off the clear liquid part but sometimes the nurses ignore it.  She said, if you want something and they won't give it to you, ask us and we will get it for you or have your husband get it.  Also, she is a fan of eating during labor because of all the hard work you are doing, which once again she said either ignore the nurses or do it when they are out of the room.  And she said eat a meal before we go in.  I would probably go insane if I couldn't drink.  I am planning on bringing gatorade with me.

JessJ222

kerrbear72:

Each hospitals policy varies on this.

There's no way I am going to let my hospital dehydrate me so they can just stick an IV in me instead. 

This!  Drink water if you want, what are they going to do ask you to leave?

ToBeMrsC6907

I am a big water piggie ( I literally drink 4+ liters/day) and would advise not drinking too much during labor- I had extreme nausea and vomitting and was actually really glad I was only allowed to have ice chips, otherwise it could have been a much messier and nastier experience than it already was.

I personally have no problems with an IV and for me, it worked out better since I wouldn't have kept anything down anyway.

iris427

00tedsgirl:

It'll depend on the hospital.  I don't understand how who is attending (midwife v OB) makes a difference in the same hospital, though.  That makes no sense whatsoever.  Whomever is in the room does not change the risks/benefits of any given action by another person.

FWIW, I even puked ice chips with DS.  They could have offered me anything and I would not have been able to eat or drink it.

I agree, it doesn't make sense.  But a lot of hospital practices don't make sense IMO.  

I threw up a lot in labor too but I was still so fvcking hungry.  This time if I want to eat in labor, I'm going to eat.  I actually think part of the reason I was feeling so sick during my labor and delivery was because I was so hungry. 

purplemimi

our hospital has ice chips and popsicles for the moms during labor.....of course since I have gestational diabetes I was told I could have the ice chips only

meghanchrisaz

With DD1 I was only allowed ice chips and even then just a few.  I was SOOOO thirsty that after I delivered her all I wanted was a huge cup of ice water.  I didn't even care about food at that point...and I hadn't eaten in 24 hours!

With DD2, I was only allowed small sips of water and ice chips...I think if I had been in labor during a mealtime I could have had some broth or something too...but I was in labor from midnight until 8 am when I started pushing.  I think this time my hospital has ice chips and Popsicles...but I think its up to your individual OB if you can have it or not.

 

tokenhoser

My hospital will allow me to try to stay hydrated by mouth, and I would prefer that. I've got a 12-pack of powerade in my pantry.

IF I end up puking, sure, IV fluids might be helpful. Maybe if I'm allowed to drink on my own I won't need one, though. I really do think my body is more likely to do well if I have a shot to stay well hydrated through early labour. My plan is to get a hep-lock (or saline-lock, whatever) when I arrive in the hospital, but decline to have it connected to anything unless I need it. I'm a biotch to stick when I'm hydrated - I don't want them digging for a vein when I'm dehydrated.

sarahseita

At our prenatal class we were told we can eat and drink whatever we want during labor. Apparently that's normal in hospitals in Canada. I don't know about the US. Guess its different everywhere

pinkflipflops44

tokenhoser:

My hospital will allow me to try to stay hydrated by mouth, and I would prefer that. I've got a 12-pack of powerade in my pantry.

IF I end up puking, sure, IV fluids might be helpful. Maybe if I'm allowed to drink on my own I won't need one, though. I really do think my body is more likely to do well if I have a shot to stay well hydrated through early labour. My plan is to get a hep-lock (or saline-lock, whatever) when I arrive in the hospital, but decline to have it connected to anything unless I need it. I'm a biotch to stick when I'm hydrated - I don't want them digging for a vein when I'm dehydrated.

yeah im getting the lock in place when i get there and drinking on my own in hopes of not needing to connect it. plus dehydrated sticking would probably suck.