Can you eat while being induced?

makylad1293 · September 2015

im getting induced Tuesday and I'm curious if you can eat during the time of being induced? I know it's not suggested to eat during labor but I'm curious as to what the whole process involves? I'm so nervous!

ktbkitten · September 2015

Where I am at once you get to the hospital that's it, no more food. It would probably be best to call where you are being induced at and see what their policies are.

WDDCH · September 2015

You most likely will not be "allowed" to eat when you're admitted to a hospital for labor and birth, induction or not.

Good evidence supports food during labor, as a laboring mother needs the energy, but few hospitals allow food or even drink in labor regardless. Their reasoning is defensive: in the event you need an emergency cesarean they don't want you to aspirate vomit. The chances of this happening are actually so rare it's ridiculous.

Inductions increase the likelihood of a cesarean. You should eat before you go in or keep little snacks for yourself (nuts, apple, honey) if you wish to eat AMA during your labor.

eah325 · September 2015

Mine said the same thing... I would recommend eating before you go- maybe a nice breakfast with protein!

str13 · September 2015

I think it depends. Ask your doctor or hospital what they want. Depending what time you're induced they may give you a time to stop eating that day, or have you stop at midnight the night before. I think I was allowed ice chips or clears maybe? But I wasn't interested in eating anything! I felt kind of yucky and just didn't feel like it!!

makylad1293 · September 2015

Thanks ladies! I just have no clue what to expect. My doctor just told me that I have to be at the hospital at 6 pm to check in.

rholbrook7 · September 2015

Currently in labor, and they let me eat something.
I ended up puking it all back up

tlc11934 · September 2015

They would not let me eat during labor - and I was in labor for 14 hours. Second time I brought snacks and ate when the nurses and doctors were out of the room. You definitely need nourishment! I'm packing snacks this time too!

chelseajeanene · September 2015

I was given cervidil the night before and was told I had to eat, the following morning before getting the pitocin they made me eat breakfast and only ice chips afterwards

ForeverEverAfter · September 2015

I'm allowed to eat in labour, but only if it's spontaneous. If I get induced the official policy is clear fluids only. I snacked through labour with #1, and needed that energy. I have a bag of light snacks packed and would totally eat AMA anyway. As pp stated, most research now is in favour of eating in labour as the risk of aspirating in the OR is pretty low (they protect your airway for general anaesthesia).

seg6394 · September 2015

During my induction I was only allowed ice chips and a Popsicle.

dmbfan46835 · September 2015

No food for me. They let me suck on suckers only. I didn't eat for 24 hours because I had dinner the night before at about 7 and then water broke the following morning at 6am. I was surprisingly not that hungry during labor tho. You may also be surprised by the same.

smiversen · September 2015

My sisters kept telling me eat before you go! I asked my nurse after I got the epidural when they would cut off my food/drink and she's like "what?! You can eat/drink whatever." She just recommended not to eat anything too heavy. However, I wasn't too hungry at all that day probably because I was nervous. It took a while after delivery (like a day) to get my appetite back.

Taekarate1978 · September 2015

I was induced with both of my boys and I honestly did not feel like eating. With my first, I was starving afterwards. With my second it took a while before I was hungry.

jessbruxanovaa · September 2015

I was only allowed to eat ice chips during labor. I wasn't hungry since I was nauseous most of the time but I was sooooo thirsty through it all

Blang2014 · September 2015

They don't typically let you eat because both epidurals and pitocin make you nauseous. Who wants to be throwing up while in labor..... Not me. I went 27 hours with my first. I plan to eat something before going in for my induction Tuesday, and probably get me a Dutch bros coffee.

TIARA0322 · September 2015

With my first two they didn't allow me to in order to prevent vomiting or in the event you may have to have a c-section.

MiromiM · September 2015

During my hospital tour I was told that I could only get clear liquids once I'm admitted. I brought snacks for afterwards and for poor DH. I just made him promise to go outside the room and eat.

v1wwo · September 2015

Don't eat anything heavy like a fried burger dipped in mayonnaise. But do eat before and maybe even sneak something small like nuts to the hospital.
Bring a few different drinks (if you can) like tea, water, clear juice so you have options. You may end up hating one taste and its good to have something else.
Remember to pee every hour or more!!! Your bladder is right there holding up your baby. A full bladder makes it harder for the baby to lower its head and it makes it harder to push. (My friend had been pushing for about 3 hours with not much progress and finally she went to pee. She almost had her boy on that toilet lol. )

majormayhem210 · September 2015

So, from what I understand and sorry if someone already mentioned it but, they don't let you eat once you go in in-case you have to have an emergency c-section. Anaesthesia can cause vomiting, and if they have to put you completely out you can end up aspirating vomit into your lungs, which can cause a life threatening infection very easily. Better not to risk it.

kanga915 · September 2015

Eat before you go in. Even if your hospital allows food you may not feel like eating.

makylad1293 · September 2015

Thank you for all the advice! It is so helpful to have some insight! We are going to Olive Garden before we go to the hospital. Hopefully it isn't a crazy long process. I go in tomorrow at 6 in the evening and they said it can take up to two days to deliver.

puddinpop95 · September 2015

No. Because if u need a csection, they typically want your stomach empty because sometimes the anesthesia makes people sick and u can aspirated/choke on your stomach contents. Not a good thing. If ur ready to go to the hospital, it's best to eat on the way or before u leave.

YTuMamaTambien · September 2015

When I delivered my son once I was induced there was no more food. I think it is just in case you need to have an emergency C-section.

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