So... the eating thing

smilelari · August 2009

I am planning on eating during labor if I feel the need.

However, I know that it is against my hospitals policies

I am debating whether to put it in my birth plan and discuss it with my doctor, as I may just end up sending up the signal that I'm planning on violating policy.

Do I put it in the plan and be forthcoming, or just do it on the downlow?

JCM083009 · August 2009

If it were me in that situation, I would ask my doctor about it (just talking about) before you put in in your birth plan and just feel him/her out... then decide what to do from there.

christin3580 · August 2009

what if you need a c section? I would just always be honest and forth right.. most times there are reasons for rulings in hospital and other settings

sweetie_roo · August 2009

I'm planning on doing it quietly, but I'm also not planning on going in until we have to...so if I'm laboring at home, it won't be a problem.

JCM083009 · August 2009

christin3580:
what if you need a c section? I would just always be honest and forth right.. most times there are reasons for rulings in hospital and other settings

Did you read the post below concerning this, though? There really aren't good reasons for this "rule", esp with the way the OP is planning to birth.

chelsearenee · August 2009

I would not put it in the plan. They dont want you to eat in case you have to go in for emergency surgery. I know that goes back to the days of general anesthesia, but its still their policy. There may be other reasons.

mtendere · August 2009

I'd leave it out. The doc will likely say "no" since they don't want to be responsible if something should happen. I guess the reason for no eating is in case they need anesthesia and the chance for vomiting. Even if he winks at you, he's probably bound by the hospital policies and I wouldn't want to put him/her in that position. Of course only you know your doctor.

christin3580 · August 2009

JCM083009:

christin3580:
what if you need a c section? I would just always be honest and forth right.. most times there are reasons for rulings in hospital and other settings

Did you read the post below concerning this, though? There really aren't good reasons for this "rule", esp with the way the OP is planning to birth.

No I Missed it/ or skipped over it LOL But I always prefer honesty anyways not SNEAKING..

smilelari · August 2009

See post below about eating during labor

Policies against eating are outdated and unnecessary

I have done my research

heatherlane · August 2009

JCM083009:
If it were me in that situation, I would ask my doctor about it (just talking about) before you put in in your birth plan and just feel him/her out... then decide what to do from there.

Agree. I'll ask about the policy next week. If it's a flat no, I'll just leave it out and eat when no one's watching if I need to.

Or I'll look at them all in the middle labor, say "f you guys" and tell DH to hand me a snack.

Evelynsmom · August 2009

I don't know if you know, but the whole "not eating" thing is just in case of an emergency and you need anesthesia. They don't want you to vomit and breath it in 'cause that can kill you.

I'd talk about it with your doc.

ChickadDeedee · August 2009

I would put it in your plan so that your nurse and doctor know. They need to be aware of when you last ate and what it was in case there is an emergency and you would need to go under general anesthesia. I believe that you can still have clears up until 4 hours before being put under general

mtendere · August 2009

And of course, if you did end up needing a c-section, I'd be honest that you had eaten something. I'm tempted to do this, too, but DH is a doc in the hospital and I don't think he'll let me...

smilelari · August 2009

Evelynsmom:

I don't know if you know, but the whole "not eating" thing is just in case of an emergency and you need anesthesia. They don't want you to vomit and breath it in 'cause that can kill you.

I'd talk about it with your doc.

Ok. I guess I need to explain again.

The risk of needing general anesthesia is very low. The risk of aspirating under GA is even lower. The risk of aspirating is tied very closely to the skill of the anesthesiologist and not tied to whether you eat. You will likely have food in your stomach in the case of a c-section whether or not you eat while at the hospital (digestion does slow down while in labor)

christin3580 · August 2009

smilelari:
I am planning on eating during labor if I feel the need.

However, I know that it is against my hospitals policies

I am debating whether to put it in my birth plan and discuss it with my doctor, as I may just end up sending up the signal that I'm planning on violating policy.

Do I put it in the plan and be forthcoming, or just do it on the downlow?

christin3580 · August 2009

smilelari:

I am planning on eating during labor if I feel the need.

However, I know that it is against my hospitals policies

I am debating whether to put it in my birth plan and discuss it with my doctor, as I may just end up sending up the signal that I'm planning on violating policy.

Do I put it in the plan and be forthcoming, or just do it on the downlow?

So first you say this....

"There are probably more reasons, but my "specifications" are that I be allowed to eat and drink freely"

And now you are saying you may just do it on the downlow? Whats the point of asking a question when you contradict yourself to begin with?

christin3580 · August 2009

And FWIW we live in USA not GB...

JCM083009 · August 2009

christin3580:
And FWIW we live in USA not GB...

So? Women's bodies still work the same...

smilelari · August 2009

christin3580:
smilelari:

I am planning on eating during labor if I feel the need.

However, I know that it is against my hospitals policies

I am debating whether to put it in my birth plan and discuss it with my doctor, as I may just end up sending up the signal that I'm planning on violating policy.

Do I put it in the plan and be forthcoming, or just do it on the downlow?

So first you say this....

"There are probably more reasons, but my "specifications" are that I be allowed to eat and drink freely"

And now you are saying you may just do it on the downlow? Whats the point of asking a question when you contradict yourself to begin with?

I don't see how I contradict myself. I would like to ask to eat and drink freely, however I know it is against hospital policy. I know what I want for my birth and I know what I'm up against

smilelari · August 2009

christin3580:

And FWIW we live in USA not GB...

And yet, in the case of childbirth it's much safer to give birth in GB

Not real sure what this comment has to do with anything

JCM083009 · August 2009

smilelari:
christin3580:

And FWIW we live in USA not GB...

And yet, in the case of childbirth it's much safer to give birth in GB

Not real sure what this comment has to do with anything

hehe so true. It's sad that our infant and mother mortality and morbidity rates are so incredibly high for such an industrialized and "medically advanced" country. hmmmmm

karelaorange · August 2009

I agree with everything you've said, it's an outdated policy. HOWEVER, you should discuss with your doc how often general anesthesia is used at your particular hospital. If they have an outdated food/drink policy they may very well have other outdated policies you should know about. And since (if I remember right) you're planning on going med free, your particular risk of needing emergency general anesthesia would be higher than other women's. Specifically, I would discuss with them your fear about general anesthesia (not bringing up the food/drink issue) and get more specifics. I would also ask whether they require IV's, since they don't allow food or drink. And if/when you eat/drink something on the sly, I would tell the staff (after the fact), so that if anything does happen they know where you stand.

smilelari · August 2009

karelaorange:
I agree with everything you've said, it's an outdated policy. HOWEVER, you should discuss with your doc how often general anesthesia is used at your particular hospital. If they have an outdated food/drink policy they may very well have other outdated policies you should know about. And since (if I remember right) you're planning on going med free, your particular risk of needing emergency general anesthesia would be higher than other women's. Specifically, I would discuss with them your fear about general anesthesia (not bringing up the food/drink issue) and get more specifics. I would also ask whether they require IV's, since they don't allow food or drink. And if/when you eat/drink something on the sly, I would tell the staff (after the fact), so that if anything does happen they know where you stand.

The policy is to have hep locks (not IVs) and they do allow clear liquids

Good points all around. Thanks!

eeclem · August 2009

i don't understand why you would choose to give birth in a hospital if you were so skeptical about their policies that you would willfully sneak around them. i would be up front with your doctor and say something so at least they are aware of your intention to go against policy and taken any precautions in the event of an emergency.

Andreaw1124 · August 2009

Hi! I think I'm delivering at the same hospital as you here in Colorado Springs (the new St. Francis on Woodmen and Powers). Let me know what you decide, as we went over the hospitals policies last night in L&D class. I can't imagine going so many hours without any sort of food. I'm thinking maybe the DL might be best...

ToledoDeux · August 2009

karela gives very good advice, so I won't repeat. Be honest, but also be prepared with your own healthy snacks/food.

And holy hell, christin, why are you being so combative about this? If you don't understand the issue (which you clearly don't), I'm sure lari is better off without your advice. You don't even seem to understand what she is asking.

sweetie_roo · August 2009

smilelari, JCM...i you guys.

Too bad people get all fired up just because someone doesn't automatically trust her drs' policies. Too bad we tend to forget about the importance of informed consent.

JCM083009 · August 2009

eeclem:
i don't understand why you would choose to give birth in a hospital if you were so skeptical about their policies that you would willfully sneak around them. i would be up front with your doctor and say something so at least they are aware of your intention to go against policy and taken any precautions in the event of an emergency.

I can't speak for the OPer, but not everyone gets a choice in where to birth (a major flaw in our country w/ the birthing system). Between locations, insurance/money issues, we often don't have a ton of choices.

smilelari · August 2009

eeclem:
i don't understand why you would choose to give birth in a hospital if you were so skeptical about their policies that you would willfully sneak around them. i would be up front with your doctor and say something so at least they are aware of your intention to go against policy and taken any precautions in the event of an emergency.

Because the nearest hospital with different policies is in Denver - over an hour drive

smilelari · August 2009

andreaw1124:

Hi! I think I'm delivering at the same hospital as you here in Colorado Springs (the new St. Francis on Woodmen and Powers). Let me know what you decide, as we went over the hospitals policies last night in L&D class. I can't imagine going so many hours without any sort of food. I'm thinking maybe the DL might be best...

That is where we are delivering. Waving hi! I will let you know what we decide.

MommyandKate · August 2009

I'm shocked that anyone would consider lying to their healthcare provider and potentially compromising their own care. If they ask you if you've eaten, *please* tell the truth. Regardless of whether it's allowed or not, if you decide to purposefully break the rules and eat, just be honest about it afterwards.

smilelari · August 2009

Mel12880:
I'm shocked that anyone would consider lying to their healthcare provider and potentially compromising their own care. If they ask you if you've eaten, *please* tell the truth. Regardless of whether it's allowed or not, if you decide to purposefully break the rules and eat, just be honest about it afterwards.

And do you feel similarly about those that labor at home as long as possible and eat right before they leave for the hospital in an attempt to circumvent the exact same policy?

If I were faced with a c-section I would be honest, as would those individuals (I'm sure)

soccermom-to-be · August 2009

Wow, who knew that something this tame was so controversial. As someone who was induced and was told not to eat too much before I came into the hospital, I was STARVING after a few hours and that was almost as uncomfortable as the labor (ok, totally lying but it was awful). Thankfully we brought snacks like fruit snacks, granola bars etc. and I would nibble small amounts with water (which was allowed). I was also given applesauce and jello by the medical staff to tide me over. Honestly, I threw up anyway from the epidural (most pain meds effect me that way) so it was nice to actually have something to come up and not just experience dry heaves.

I would plan to bring small snacks and if god forbid you need an unplanned C-section tell them you ate something. I don't see the need to add it to your birth plan or worry about it too much.

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