“The issue of eating and drinking during labor should be reframed as one of bodily choice.”
“In many hospitals, patients are told not to eat or drink during labor. The medical term for this is “NPO,” which comes from the Latin nil per os, meaning nothing by mouth.
In a recent survey of mothers who gave birth in U.S. hospitals, 60% of them reported not drinking during labor, and 80% said that they did not eat (Declercq et al. 2014). When people are free to eat and drink as desired during labor, as is typical in U.S. freestanding birth centers, most of them (95%) choose to eat or drink.
The uterus is mostly made of muscle tissue. Muscles use fuel as they work and require enough nutrition to meet these energy needs
The issue of eating and drinking during labor should be reframed as one of bodily choice. Low-risk laboring people, including those with epidurals, have the right to choose whether or not they would like to eat and drink during labor. Maternal satisfaction should also be considered. We know that women often complain about their distress in being denied food and drink in labor.” -Evidence Based Birth
As your doula I provide evidence based information to help you feel empowered in the choices you want to make during your birth….That is to say if you want a banana during labor, I’m getting you a banana! 🍌