It’s official! Laboring moms now have medical permission to eat during labor.
You know labor… the strenuous activity that can take anywhere from a handful of hours to a handful of days and results in the birth of a baby. For decades we’ve been told that despite how much energy it takes to give birth, the mom should refrain from eating.
WHAT?!
Common sense alone can tell us that expecting a human body to be pushed to its physical limits without food is absolutely ridiculous. Would you run a marathon on empty? I can’t even run errands on an empty stomach! Bodies need nutrition, and proper nutrition helps our bodies function at their highest capacity. Labor included.
So why did we ever think we should fast during labor? The answer is simple. Eating before a medical procedure increases your risk of aspirating into the lungs. And since approximately 85% of birthing women receive epidurals and 33% percent have cesareans, anesthesiologists starting asking women to fast during labor to lower their risk of complications. But in a press release from earlier this week, these doctors now feel that medical practices have improved and the risk of aspirating is very low. They also state that most women will benefit from eating a small meal during labor.
I’ve been a doula for well over a decade, and I’ve seen the ill effects of fasting during labor. Women get worn out! Then they feel guilty for sneaking in food, fearing that they will be reprimanded by their nurse or care provider. I can’t help but wonder if denying laboring moms adequate nutrition during labor has increased the use of medical interventions. My gut instinct has always told me that fasting during labor can’t improve things, and often hinders progress. Perhaps this small change will lower intervention rates as more women find themselves properly fed and nourished instead of fatigued from starvation.
Recent studies support what doulas and midwives have been saying for years: women should be allowed to eat during labor, and being properly nourished will benefit both mom and baby. One of my favorite parts of the press release states:
“Without adequate nutrition, women’s bodies will begin to use fat as an energy source, increasing acidity of the blood in the mother and infant, potentially reducing uterine contractions and leading to longer labor and lower health scores in newborns. Additionally, the studies suggest that fasting can cause emotional stress, potentially moving blood away from the uterus and placenta, lengthening labor and contributing to distress of the fetus.”
This is great news for laboring moms who have been forced to starve during their long births. And I love that it takes the guilt away from women wanting to eat during labor. But having permission to eat doesn’t mean that moms should be chowing down on a Big Mac.
What To Eat
High quality foods and nutrition are an important part of all of pregnancy, and should be included in birthing food options. I encourage my clients to eat a full meal during early labor. A full meal that focuses on whole foods and good portions. You want to feel satisfied, but not weighed down. Remember, many women get a good case of the burps during active labor and transition, so don’t eat anything that you don’t want to come back and haunt you as labor progresses.
As labor progresses blood moves away from the digestive system and to the uterus to aid in the birth. This causes moms to not desire as much food, even though they still benefit from small amounts of healthy sugars and calories. Eating during labor is really snacking by taking in small amounts of healthy options. Some favorites of mine are cold watermelon, frozen grapes, and raw honey sticks. Most women enjoy the refreshing feel of cold fruit. It hydrates and gives a small burst of energy without upsetting her stomach. Some women enjoy green smoothies, too.
It is uncommon for women to want to eat large amounts of food during labor, or eat rich foods. Meats and cheeses are usually undesirable. Sometimes women enjoy yogurt or a granola bar, but often won’t eat the entire serving. Though processed, sports drinks with B vitamins can also give mom some energy and tend to be easy on the stomach when mom needs some calories but doesn’t want to eat.
So yes, you have the green light to eat during labor, but don’t go overboard. Focus on small amounts of healthy foods that give you a caloric boost without weighing you down.