no water during labor?

b.heather · May 2009

I just got back from childbirth class. They told us our hospital won't let you drink water during labor because you might vomit and aspirate. BUT - you can have stadol or an epidural or other pain meds, all of which have the known side effect of nausea. Does this seem silly to anyone else?

DaisyAdair · May 2009

I was able to eat and drink during labor. With my 1st, I couldn't stop throwing up, so I didn't eat and just drank water. With my 2nd, I felt really good and drank apple juice and ate graham crackers.

It seems silly to me, yes. How can you choke on water? If you throw it up, it doesn't come up in chunks.

That would bother me.

theweathermanswife · May 2009

They want you to have an empty stomach in case of an emergency. If they have to intubate you for a c-section, or something else arises, they don't want to worry about you aspirating.

rocknrollmommy · May 2009

Doesn't really make sense to me but I know they'll let you have ice chips!

hisbabybear · May 2009

theweathermanswife:
They want you to have an empty stomach in case of an emergency. If they have to intubate you for a c-section, or something else arises, they don't want to worry about you aspirating.

this. also, they will be giving you fluids through IV so you wont be dehydrated. you wont even be thinking about food or water during it so dont worry.

peppermintgirl · May 2009

DaisyAdair:
It seems silly to me, yes. How can you choke on water? If you throw it up, it doesn't come up in chunks.

They're not worried about you needing to vomit during a regular delivery. A lot of women do that. It's more likely that they want the stomach empty in case there is an emergency where you need to be put under anesthesia. You can aspirate vomit while you're under. Not everywhere does that - the hospital where I'm delivering will allow water and ice chips, but nothing else.

DaisyAdair · May 2009

They told me they have some nasty stuff you can drink to get the stomach contents dumped faster. I was worried about an emergency c-section - not in terms of being IN the hospital, but what if I just ate a big dinner and then pain hit and I needed a section (I'm morbid like that!).

I was afraid to eat at all thinking "what if?" So, I asked and they said there is a stuff to drink that's disgusting, but it empties the stomach contents quickly to prep for surgery.

It doesn't sound pleasant. When a doctor tells you something tastes bad, it's usually REALLY bad.

thequeeenbee · May 2009

That's strange. I was told I could drink water during labor and have my sour candies to help your mouth from getting too dry...

b.heather · May 2009

But my class said you have an epidural or a spinal block for a c-section, so you don't need an empty stomach, do you? I mean, they don't put you under general anesthesia for it expect in very rare circumstances.

Texasmommy · May 2009

hisbabybear:

theweathermanswife:
They want you to have an empty stomach in case of an emergency. If they have to intubate you for a c-section, or something else arises, they don't want to worry about you aspirating.

this. also, they will be giving you fluids through IV so you wont be dehydrated. you wont even be thinking about food or water during it so dont worry.

I couldn't stop thinking about a big drink of water!!! Right after I delivered DS I asked DH to get me a water, orange slice and iced tea. He brought all 3 I am so excited to work with a midwife this time because they let you eat and drink as you feel the need. Some women in labor for 24+ hours definitely feel the hunger.

brownmouse · May 2009

They won;t let you drink water? Um....how are you supposed to avoid becoming dehydrated with all the work you are going to be doing?

Indifferent

theweathermanswife · May 2009

b.heather:
But my class said you have an epidural or a spinal block for a c-section, so you don't need an empty stomach, do you? I mean, they don't put you under general anesthesia for it expect in very rare circumstances.

The majority of the time, you are not completely under. However, emergencies happen where you literally have seconds or minutes to get the baby out. It is faster and safer to intubate and administer general anesthesia than it is to do an epidural or spinal.

IselaCid · May 2009

Yes. This is why you should labor as much as possible at home.

IselaCid · May 2009

hisbabybear:
theweathermanswife:
They want you to have an empty stomach in case of an emergency. If they have to intubate you for a c-section, or something else arises, they don't want to worry about you aspirating.
this. also, they will be giving you fluids through IV so you wont be dehydrated. you wont even be thinking about food or water during it so dont worry.

Actually, yeah...you will be thirsty.

GypsyEsq · May 2009

It seems silly and outdated. The risks of aspiration are small and limited to one very specific type of delivery (general anesthesia c-section birth) while the more likely labor and delivery process is a very difficult and draining and to deny a laboring woman water (much less food) during seems cruel. My hospital allows clear liquids (including broth and miso soup) as well as light snacks during labor and my OB actually encourages eating a small meal while laboring at home early on to keep my energy up. The "solution" of being hydrated by IV is something that I want to avoid as I want to avoid being stuck in bed.

DaisyAdair · May 2009

My hospital doesn't do an IV unless you're getting an epi or another med that requires it (I know Fentanyl does, but Nubain doesn't since that's a shot in the butt).

Amazing how every place is different. My friend delivered at the same place and had a huge breakfast in labor. Guess there is no real standard when it comes to this stuff.

Chrysallys · May 2009

That's messed up. I'm glad my hospital allows food/drink because I'd cut a biotch if I couldn't have anything.

IselaCid · May 2009

GypsyEsq:
It seems silly and outdated. The risks of aspiration are small and limited to one very specific type of delivery (general anesthesia c-section birth) while the more likely labor and delivery process is a very difficult and draining and to deny a laboring woman water (much less food) during seems cruel. My hospital allows clear liquids (including broth and miso soup) as well as light snacks during labor and my OB actually encourages eating a small meal while laboring at home early on to keep my energy up. The "solution" of being hydrated by IV is something that I want to avoid as I want to avoid being stuck in bed.

Yes, this practice is very dated. It just sets up mom to get dehydrated which can stall labor, need an IV, get stuck in bed, stall labor even more and then you have the cascade of interventions. It's really quite sad. I had a few bottles of a gatoraide type drink that I brought with me and I needed them. I wasn't hungry, but I ate at home before I started with active labor. A laboring woman needs food and hydration just as a runner would.

jamie.renee · May 2009

I loved that this time they didn't care if I ate or drank. They didn't just stick an IV in me as soon as I got there like with my other 2. I brought a big bottle of water and I needed it. I was so thirsty the whole time. I was thirsty with the other 2 as well and I remember how annoyed I was that I couldn't drink anything. I could have cared less about food. But right afterward I was super hungry.

Belle15 · May 2009

I can eat and drink pretty much whatever unless on on pain meds

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