Ice chips during labor?

caseybuchda · December 2009

I love food and can't go to long without it, why is it that you can only eat ice chips when your in labor? I'm sure at that time it will be the last thing on my mind but I'm just curious as to why you can't.

AbJams · December 2009

I think its because if you should end up needing any kind of surgery they want your stomach to be as empty as possible. But there might be more to it than that.

trapani2be · December 2009

It sucked.....they don't want you taking in any food or fluids incase of emerg c-section. They help with dry mouth, but I was starving!

MrsEmm · December 2009

it will make you barf.?

you cant digest the food when youre body is busy trying to labor. Hopefully youre labor is so fast you wont have to worry about it.

Calibride31304 · December 2009

Some women get nauseated and vomit, especially during transition labor (7-10cm) I had a sandwich when I was in active labor (5-6cm) because I had had nothing in 12 hours and my OB knew I needed the energy if I was going to last much longer. It stayed down thankfully.

CrystalDaun · December 2009

it could make you throw up. I have several friends who violently puked during labor. I didn't, thankfully but I also didn't eat all day. I was sick feeling at 41w5d and went for my weekly check up. I was supposed to be induced the next day but Dr. said amniotic fluid was low & sent me straight to the hosp. No time to stop for food & since I was sick all morning, I hadn't eaten. So I had nothing in my stomach to puke. Ice chips were "blah" they let me put a spoonful of apple juice over them. I kept asking if there would be food after I gave birth. Everyone laughs because seriously, once DD was born & on my chest I said "Can I please have a sandwich now?" LOL.....They brought me a sandwich and apple. I hadn't eaten since like 8pm Monday and DD was born 1:36am Wednesday. So hungry!

radiokate · December 2009

I love food as well, and I eat a lot throughout the day. I made sure to eat a good solid breakfast before going to the hospital. I was very surprised that with all that was going on, food was the last thing on my mind (especially while I was puking at one point.

So you may not even think about it!

tj6604 · December 2009

When I delivered DS, I was not able to eat anything until after he was born. I was induced, and I really should have listened up and had a big breakfast before I went into the hospital...I was soooo hungry!

Ice chips were helpful for me...to give me something to chew on and to keep my mind off any discomfort, plus they helped me stay hydrated (along with the IV). I labored for about 15 hours (only pushed for 1 hour), and let me tell you, I was STARVING at 3 am when they finally let me eat something! That was the BEST turkey sandwich, pears, and jello ever!

KristinKD · December 2009

AbJams:
I think its because if you should end up needing any kind of surgery they want your stomach to be as empty as possible.

This is what I was told. I never got hungry, but my mouth was absolutely parched, and the ice chips did nothing for it and the popsicles only made me throw up. All I wanted after delivery was a tall glass of orange juice.

evasecka · December 2009

AbJams:
I think its because if you should end up needing any kind of surgery they want your stomach to be as empty as possible. But there might be more to it than that.

This, because if you do have a c-section and you are awake for it, they don't want you to throw up and it go back into your lungs because you are unable to move to throw up.

caseybuchda · December 2009

Thanks guys, I'm glad I asked. It's nice to know that they'll give you popsicles at least. I get so shaky when I don't eat so I am worried about that mostly.

magdalina.h · December 2009

My sister ate during her early labor and was fine. Then once it got active she didn't even think about food. She did bring snacks with her though in case she needed food.

Erika6504 · December 2009

I wasn't even hungry during labor. Honestly, food was the last thing on my mind.

I cheated and would let the ice chips melt and then drink the water from it. It helped a little bit but I was still really thirsty by the end.

evasecka · December 2009

Erika6504:

I wasn't even hungry during labor. Honestly, food was the last thing on my mind.

I cheated and would let the ice chips melt and then drink the water from it. It helped a little bit but I was still really thirsty by the end.

I did that same thing, held it between my hands and drank it when a little would melt! So hilarious that you did too.

SissyKate21 · December 2009

It's due to the possibility of surgery and hospital liability if you die from aspiration (coughing up stuff and it getting into your lungs).

It sounds like the recommendations regarding your liquid intake during labor have changed. ACOG Press Release

Many women will vomit during labor whether they've eaten anything or not. It's actually a way for your body to help dilate your cervix during labor.

I read a birth story where the mother ate ice chips and sipped on Pedialyte during her labor. That sounded like a great idea to me. Pedialyte should help with energy and re-hydration.

I'm not sure I'll want to actually chew up anything anyway...but I'm sure going to eat a lot before I progress into labor too far. I'm not going through all that without some fuel!

alabaster_angel · December 2009

It just makes it easier on the dr & nurses. You're less likely to vomit. They tend to say it's in case you need to have surgery.

NJBride4-8-05 · December 2009

God forbid you have a problem, they dont want food in you. But listen to this... I had GD with DD and I was told to eat light before coming in to be induced. So I ate light and went in around 1030. Had her via emergency c/s at 8:46 that night. Labored all day. Well I still wasnt allowed anything when I came back to the room at 1 am. I was given ice chips. I am not an ice cube chewer. I love ice water. Finally DH started melting my ice chips because I had to finish I huge glass of them before I could have water and he ate a bunch. Then I started water and was so happy to not be parched. Wasnt allowed food till the am. Almost 24 hours without food for a person with GD, real smart!

Roxpup · December 2009

caseybuchda:
I love food and can't go to long without it, why is it that you can only eat ice chips when your in labor? I'm sure at that time it will be the last thing on my mind but I'm just curious as to why you can't.

god help them if they refuse to let me eat. lately i've been upset when someone interrupts chow time.

emily0829 · December 2009

Amber from 16 and Pregnant ate Taco Bell during labor. I don't like that girl, so it was an easy way to make fun of her.

She then said on the reunion show, making herself out to be the victim "They didn't show that I puked 50+ times during labor." Umm.... no waaaay it could have been all that Taco Bell you scarfed down!

Aliliv · December 2009

hmm.....I had an apple and donut at home and when I got to the hospital I had all the juice I wanted....

Lauren9881 · December 2009

alabaster_angel:
It just makes it easier on the dr & nurses. You're less likely to vomit. They tend to say it's in case you need to have surgery.

Yikes! I think it's easier on mom too if she doesnt aspirate if she vomits and end up with Pneumonia!

Also, if you start to get shaky or your blood sugar dips they can change the fluids in your IV to one containing some glucose.

wildfloweragain · December 2009

Your digestive system shut down during labor. And your mouth gets really dry from all the breathing (and screaming in my case!)

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