delivery question

[KvetaL]

Is it true that during delivery you can't eat or drink anything. I was told  this today at work and I'm a first time mom. Any of you ladies who already have children delivery was like this?

[UniquelyMoi247]

My midwife brought me a cup of tea and a slice of toast when I was in labour because I hadn't had anything to eat for over 12hrs. I honestly can't remember at what point in my labour it was as I was having 3 contractions in 10mins for about 5hrs out of my 6hr labour, it was all a blur. I do remember not really wanting to eat or drink though, your body has other things to do and its not something you focus on. It was a good 12hrs after the birth of my son that I wanted something to eat. You wonder how you'll cope, but you do :)

[Angie1722]

Ice chips

[specialmom]

I was given an orange popsicle.  threw it all up.  I didn't have a c section,  But nausea is very common during labor and delivery and throwing up when delivering is NO fun. good luck

[GeekMom1213]

Ummm... no, ReneMc. That's actually not accurate at all.
If a baby moves their bowels before birth they can inhale the meconium feces and have respiratory issues including pneumonia. Dangerous, yes. Relates to whether or not mom eats after labor begins, no.
Moms move their bowels during labor all the time. It's completely normal and is in no way dangerous to the baby. And also has nothing to do with whether or not they eat after labor begins, since it takes quite a bit longer than the average labor lasts for the body to digest food and expel the waste products.

[knufrio]

Nausea and vomiting are super common in the transitional phase of labor which is why many places restrict your intake. It may seem mean but its really for.tour own good. If you start vomiting it becomes much harder to keep you hydrated.

[KvetaL]

I just hope my delivery time is not to long or complicated. The closer I get to my due date the more nervous I get.

[EmmaOmega]

My first labour was 2and a half hours. Total. Didnt have time to think about food or drink, i dont think i would have if it had taken longer! Just not on your mind but def a question i will be asking midwife out of curiosity now!

[ReneMc]

The reason they tell you that is to keep you from having a bowel during birth. If you do it could get in the baby's system. I'm on baby number 3 and trust you won't even think about food during the birthing process.

[pourmycoffee]

Wow. Thats really weird I was allowed to eat and drink whatever I wanted. Unless there's a reason to think your going to need a c section I don't see why they would stop you

[GeekMom1213]

It depends on where you go and who your provider is. I ate during labor. My midwives knew I needed my strength and told me there was no reason not to eat if I was hungry. After I got to the birthing center I didn't eat because I was too focused on the task at hand (though food was offered) but definitely ate during the 12 hours of active labor at home before going in. I didn't vomit, didn't ever even feel sick. Drank when I was thirsty, too... I wasn't confined to ice chips.

[clairwin]

Was also told snacks and juice. Last time though I only wanted juice. Think every place Is different.  

[nonishy]

Believe me you won't be hungry, just thirsty and you can have ice chips.

[Maeghon]

True. It's to prepare you in the event that you'll need surgery.

[trista1986]

Yea i  was so thirsty

[kaismom0616]

Food was the last thing on my mind. I hadn't eaten for about 24 hours. I wasn't hungry til after I had my son.

[TheJuniors]

I honestly didn't feel hungry until after my children were born. Then I was ravenous!

[mummainoz]

Must be different where I am. At the hospital tour with my first they said bring snacks like grapes, oranges, chips for the early stages of labour, but I ended up for a csection so didn't need to worry. With this one, I was in preterm labour and they brought me dinner. I said I was supposed to have a repeat csection and they were like oh ok then give it to your husband then.

[KvetaL]

Wow this is something totally new for me. To just stay hungry and not know how longer delivery is going to last. Thanks a lot ladies.

[MrsKiss]

Yea, they limit food intake in case something were to happen and you'd have to have a csection or something. Having a baby is a major medical procedure, you typically don't want a lot, if anything, on your stomach in case of having to be intubated or put under they don't want you to aspirate. I agree tho, it *****. I have to keep food on my belly or I get super nauseous n eventually get sick.

[traciv]

I was in the hospital for 29 hours before I could eat. My daughter was born at 10:30 at night and the cafeteria was closed so the first thing I got to eat was a pudding cup and toast from one of my nurses lunches she packed from home. She knew how long I had been there without food and graciously gave me hers.

[Jenn28815]

Yeah, that was a rude awakening for me too. I heard it first when I was doing my maternity ward tour at the hospital. My major concern is that I cant go more than about 4 hours without food before I start feeling bad. Weak, light headed, tired, irritable...what happens if im stuck at the hospital for longer than that and they dont allow me any food? I was told our labor partner/support person could have snacks and there's a subway down stairs for them to get food when the cafeteria at the hospital is closed. I personally think im just going to wait out most of my labor at home so I dont get stuck without food for longer than necessary. That's just my personal preference though.

[leanna81]

yes that is true because if you eat prior or during labor it can make you sick. so they prefer you to eat ice while your at the hospital....if i was you  if you want to actually eat, do it before going to the hospital. otherwise you wont be able to actually eat until have you given birth.

[FoxMom3]

Yes this is correct!  The hospital usually has get ice though lol

[ak8554]

It was true in my case. All they gave me was ice. But after the baby came I got a nice meal