From the article: Should We Eat or Drink in Labor?
Eating and drinking in labor has been controversial, but mostly because of hospital practice and not because of science. As the growing body of evidence shows that eating in labor is not only more comfortable but beneficial, more women, even those with epidural anesthesia, are encouraged to eat in labor. What was your experience? Were you denied food and drink? Ice chips only? Did you get a liquid diet? Or did you have free reign? How did you feel? Share Your Experience
Advice
- Since after my 2nd, I have recommended to everyone I know that its better to eat during labour, if you are capable, as you just feel more energized and stronger during and afterward. with my first I ate nothing from supper time, after 6pm to after delivery the next morning after 7am! and I was listless and could hardly respond to anyone or anything. With my 2nd, I had an extended labour, so I think I ate normally during the day and during the last 2 hours I sipped on energy drinks and energy sweets between contractions, I felt like myself 100% after giving birth. I highly recommend it, if you have time to do so, then do it.
- —Happymom11
Eating Made A Big Difference
- When I had my first I followed guidelines given by the hospital and had nothing but ice chips and jello during an 18 1/2 long labor - I was left exhausted and run down. With my second it was recommended I eat as desired. In early labor I ate complex carbs and light proteins - whole grain pasta and a couple hard boiled eggs. Later I moved to pre-frozen fruits - I sucked on frozen slices of watermelon, grapes, etc. Towards the end I sucked on barley sugar lollipops - nice since you could set them down and then pick them up again later. I had a 12 1/2 hour labor and ended up full of energy and feeling far better.
- —hostdiane
I hated the IV!
- I was told I couldn't eat in labor but that I could have clear liquids. But I was hooked up to an IV, which I hated because I didn't want to be any more encumbered by medical equipment than I needed to be. I did drink Gatorade, which helped me with my energy levels. I'm pregnant again, and this time around I will request no IV if possible, and drink Gatorade and perhaps eat some of the things on Robin's list.
- —JessicaHarlan
I didn't want much, but I did want food.
- I didn't want a lot of food but I wanted specific things like a bagel and cream cheese. Another birth I had toast and peanut butter.
- —Robin
