Anyone else going to sneak food during labor?

hillwood20

So obviously for mom's giving birth at home, this is not an issue.  But for woman in the hospital, are you going to sneak a light snack during labor if you are hungry?  I have done some fairly thorough research on this, and it seems unreasonable to not allow a woman to have light snacks throughout her labor (especially early on when she is more likely to want them).  This is true even if you end up needing a c-section as most c-sections are no longer performed under general anesthesia.

To snack or not to snack...that is the question...

danakatiepfoltzer

my lamaze teacher said to have light snacks at home during early labor..but she emphasized "light" snacks. 

 

I don't think i'll "sneak" anything, but like PP said, I'll ask if I can have clear fluids.  I think the hospital allows clear fluids (like sprite, juice, etc), but i want to double check.  The lamaze teacher also said that just something like the sprite or juice can do wonders.  OHHH, and she said to bring some sour lollipops like "preggy pops" because a lot of women in labor need the sour to help with nausea... so if I'm nauseous I doubt I'll want to eat much anyway.... but I'm a FTM mom so who knows, I'm just passing on info from my class.

 

Hope that helps! 

fyziksgirl

Definitely snack. If you are hungry, your body needs it. You wouldn't run a marathon without eating, you shouldn't go through childbirth without it, either.

There is a miniscule chance you could aspirate if you end up in the wrong side of the miniscule risk of an emergency c-section under general anesthesia...but even so, you could still aspirate if you haven't eaten, and aspirating pure stomach acid is worse than aspirating vomit with food. It seems dumb to wear your body out and deny it what it needs for a miniscule chance of a miniscule chance of a problem which may be worse if you don't eat anyway.

ELF4321

fyziksgirl:

Definitely snack. If you are hungry, your body needs it. You wouldn't run a marathon without eating, you shouldn't go through childbirth without it, either.

There is a miniscule chance you could aspirate if you end up in the wrong side of the miniscule risk of an emergency c-section under general anesthesia...but even so, you could still aspirate if you haven't eaten, and aspirating pure stomach acid is worse than aspirating vomit with food. It seems dumb to wear your body out and deny it what it needs for a miniscule chance of a miniscule chance of a problem which may be worse if you don't eat anyway.

 Yes to all of this, although I won't be "sneaking" anything-  just because it is "policy" doesn't mean you have to follow it when it comes to choices about your own body and health.  (As opposed to policies like visiting hours and things that don't directly relate to your health and your body).  If I still need to eat by the time I get to the hospital, I'll just ignore them and do it.  We are bringing bottled water, squeezable applesauce that is easy to eat, and some granola bars if I need anything more substantial.

davisas2323

My doula suggested light snacks that will provide energy like Clif bars, peanut butter crackers and grapes, but nothing too heavy or acidic in case you feel queasy and throw up in general. Some things are worse to barf than others. Plus, you're really just trying to stay hydrated and keep your energy up, doubtful that we'll be famished during birthing. Good luck!

bellelamb

I plan on laboring at home for awhile and snacking before I go in.  Once I have real contractions I am NOT hungry at all. I was allowed clear liquids until my epi and then just ice and sugar free hard candy which helped me have something to focus on. 

As for the risks of eating when I was told not to not really worth it for me, but after birth holly crap someone had better get me food and quick! 

CC.to.be

I didn't have to sneak. My nurse let me eat a light breakfast at 9:30 am because my contractions weren't too painful. Even though I ended up having him at 2:05 pm. I think if we had known how quickly I would progress she probably wouldn't have let me eat.

Jinnifah

Definitely. This makes me love my hospital, they're so with the times philosophically. We're encouraged to bring light snacks and clear liquids. If we forget food they have gingerale and bread for toast available in the l&d ward. The only time they limit you to ice chips is if you have an epi (which they don't encourage).

LER091811

Don't keep that kind of thing a secret from your doctor, truly you could die as a result of that decision. Emergency C-sections requiring general anesthesia do still happen occasionally, and if they didn't know you had eaten you really might die during the procedure. I know of a woman who died because the doctors didn't know she had eaten.

It's always better to be completely honest and open.

jennyelf

Jinnifah:

Definitely. This makes me love my hospital, they're so with the times philosophically. We're encouraged to bring light snacks and clear liquids. If we forget food they have gingerale and bread for toast available in the l&d ward. The only time they limit you to ice chips is if you have an epi (which they don't encourage).

 

This is my hospital's policy too, thank goodness. They even have a fridge and microwave for patient use! I'm bringing congee (think watery rice soup) with me as it's my favorite comfort food, easy to digest and not horrible in reverse if that happens.

mrs+harlow

If you are going to do it don't sneak it...just be upfront. It's sort of like flying on an airplane...there a rules for your safety. Emergencies do happen...and aspirating can be deadly. To me not worth the risk. But I on't plan on being hungry during active labor any way. Like my MW said at L&D last week -" eat before you get here."

blw1003

The nurse who did our hospital tour said some drs allow hard candy or popsicles.  Tried to check with mine at last week's appt but she had to run out for a delivery while I was there so I never got to see her.  Hopefully I make it til at least Monday so that I can ask her and plan accordingly!

Houstonmom

I had that exact same mindset going in to have #1. So I had a bag of Ritz Bitz and something else I can't remember.

Well, after almost 24 hours of labor at the hospital I had an emergency c-section under general anesthesia.

My epi had become dislodged and I could feel everything on one side, so when they prepped me in the OR and started testing my sense of touch on my abdomen with needles, I felt it and at that point DD and I were in such distress that there was no time to redo the epi...so under general anesthesia I went.

The food didn't cause a problem, but it was a stupid risk to take.

Rules are rules for a reason. 

Expecting girl 3

I'm hoping to labor at home until it gets too bad and I think I'll eat a but of something so I don't end up feeling sick. I am hypoglycemic, so If I go too long without food I get sick. 

noycela

Yep, definitely! If I'm hungry, I'm gonna eat something. My doula is all about this. I'm not even sure the hospital's policy is, but if it's "no food" I will be ignoring it. 

pithikaki

What jenny and jinnifah said for me, too. Im bringing snacks, the handouts they gave me said eat if you can eat in early labor, and just be wise about it. I cant imagine not eating and then having a long labor, surely that cant be healthy either.

photogmommystacy

I haven't read through all the replies yet, but my first labor was LONG - 30 hours. I was sooooo hungry and desperate for something to eat. Especially since my (well-meaning) husband would eat in the room with me because he didn't want to not be there. So I snuck a few sips (SIPS!) of Mt. Dew and maybe one bite of his sandwich. Not 10 minutes later I was puking bright neon green from the Mt. Dew. I was totally busted! lol. 

I'm not saying I wouldn't do it again though...that is a LONG time to go without food! After my daughter was born, one of the very first things I did was send someone to track down some food! 

livinreality

I was induced at 6 AM, since I had not eaten since dinner, the OB cleared a clear liquid diet and recommended chicken broth.  So I had chicken broth for breakfast and lunch and it seemed to sustain me all day till I delivered DS2 at 5:30 and then ordered 2 dinners.

Definitely be upfront with doctors/ nurses you may get scolded but it is in your best interest for them to know what is going on.  

maybayb25

zoeygirl1105:

If you end up with an emergency c section they often will put you under because there isn't enough time to do a spinal block. If you ate anything there is chance you can aspirate. Not a risk I want to take for a snack. 

I'm going with this. I trust my doctor and will do what he suggests.

steph&michael

Lurking from August 2012....

As an L&D nurse, I can tell you the biggest reason we continue to not allow laboring patients to eat is because if we allow them to, and that tiny risk of a c-section under general occurs, and if aspiration then occurs, we're liable and opening ourselves to be sued.  We give all section patients an antacid solution to neutralize stomach acids prior to hitting the OR, stat or scheduled.

If I have a patient that insists on eating, I explain the risks and make it clear that I'm putting it in her chart that she was eating, was instructed on her diet orders and risks explained.  But I certainly don't scold her.  I'd rather know that a patient is eating in case of an emergency than have her sneaking food.  Patients have the right to make their own decisions, but they need to inform the people taking care of them what their decisions are.

winter-shock

Food was the farthest thing from my mind both times!

bridekimmie

My doula is taking care of that.  She is bringing all sorts of things to sneak to me if needed during a possibly long labor!! 

1inthehopper

zoeygirl1105:

theresat858:

To everyone arguing that rules are rules for a reason- that is simply not true.  The not eating/drinking during labor is historical and not based in any modern medicine evidence for best practices.  Aspirating under anesthesia can occur no matter what and stomach acid is more dangerous than food-it is also an uncommon problem with modern anesthesia techniques.  At least do your research before you blindly trust the hospitals policy.

Done. My research is my husband who is an Anesthesiologist and deals with this this every single day.  Again, it's not common but does happen. People are so quick to not to trust hospital policys but are even quicker to blame the doctor when things go wrong. I've heard the bad of what can happen when you lie to your doctor so I geuss my opinion on this skewed.  

exactly.  i went in for an induction and endedup having to have a c-section.  i had brought hard candies to suck on and asked and was given permission to suck on them even after my epi.  i was glad i had them, the little bit of sugar helped me during the very long day before the c-section. 

rubber_chicken

my hospital allows women in labor to eat as long as they haven't had any pain meds.  they actually provide snacks in a kitchenette on the L&D floor.

Winterfun

I couldn't keep anything down the moment my water broke. When everything was all said and done I hadn't eaten in about 31 hours and was fine. Do keep some lite snacks with you just in case and definitely be completely honest with the nursing staff. Plus if you can't eat before you will after the baby is born.

1RN4Babies

steph&michael:

Lurking from August 2012....

As an L&D nurse, I can tell you the biggest reason we continue to not allow laboring patients to eat is because if we allow them to, and that tiny risk of a c-section under general occurs, and if aspiration then occurs, we're liable and opening ourselves to be sued.  We give all section patients an antacid solution to neutralize stomach acids prior to hitting the OR, stat or scheduled.

If I have a patient that insists on eating, I explain the risks and make it clear that I'm putting it in her chart that she was eating, was instructed on her diet orders and risks explained.  But I certainly don't scold her.  I'd rather know that a patient is eating in case of an emergency than have her sneaking food.  Patients have the right to make their own decisions, but they need to inform the people taking care of them what their decisions are.

This exactly!