I'm curious (AND 29 weeks pregnant)... Why can't you drink anything when you're in labor?

Question

Is this traditional for most doctors and hospitals throughout labor, and if so, what's the reason why a laboring woman cannot sip on water, or something to ease the dry mouth? I can't tolerate ice because my teeth are ridiculously sensitive, and I'm starting to get worried that this is going to be as bad as my first labor and delivery almost ten years ago.

If you can't have anything in your bladder, then why do they give you ice chips? It's basically the same concept.

Answer 1

Okay, my hands-down favourite answer here is the 'because you might pee on the baby' one.

I _hope_ that person's 12, but...

Anyway.

Because you might 'need' (interesting how 'need' occurs less often if you're giving birth somewhere other than a hospital) a c-section, and, theoretically, that might be done under general anaesthetic.

In which case:

"Typically, you must not eat or drink for about six hours before general anaesthesia. However, some anaesthetists allow occasional sips of water until two hours before your operation.

It is important to have an empty stomach when you have a general anaesthetic because you are less likely to be sick. Vomiting while you are unconscious can be dangerous because you can't cough, so fluid from the stomach may get into the lungs."

from http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/anaesthesia.html

And how likely is that scenario? Uh huh. I can't find any statistics, but I can find a lot of "extremely rare" vis-a-vis general anaesthetic and c-sections nowadays.

And the odds of actually running into problems if you had something in your stomach while under general anaesthetic? Ridiculously low. Note that nobody has "emergency" surgery postponed because they've just had a meal.

Having a completely empty stomach is also pretty damn unlikely -- you do have saliva, right? -- so ice chips is just a nice way of saying "barely any."

So, you're being asked to suffer for the doctor's lawyer's comfort, really.

That sort of garbage is the sort of thing that makes a pretty convincing case for birth at home or in a birthing centre. As though an IV's even comfortable; as though IV fluids are as refreshing as a glass of lemonade. Etc. I wouldn't put up with that sh&t if paid.

Answer 2

If this is not your first child, which you said it isn't, then consider a birthing center. They are set up just like a house. You can bring anyone you like, bring all the food and drink you want, watch tv, walk around, do whatever you want. They will have a tub, which is great for the last stage of labor. I was able to labor completely MY way. My husband delievered the baby with the help of a midwife. There was a hospital just 10 minutes away if anything went wrong. I would never have a baby any other way. If you are going to have an epidural this is not for you, but if not, check out birthing centers, they are great.

Answer 3

The reason doctors give for not letting you drink anything is that in the rare instance of needing an emergency csection and having to be "knocked out" that you might aspirate on the water/food in your stomache and asfixiate(suffocate to death) It's really barbaric in my opinion. If you are really smooth about it, just wait til the nurses aren't around(they NEVER just stay around) and have a few sips of water, but don't chug water or you will probably puke your guts out. That's the other side effect to drinking/eating in labor, you will probably want to puke if you do too much.

My advice, if you are in early labor, just kinda crampy like maybe could time them 20 mins or more apart, go eat something safe(I liked grilled cheese sandwiches) and drink something and let it settle before hard labor and THEN go in to the hospital when you can't stand it anymore because once you are there they won't feed you til baby arrives and if it's late at night you'll have to wait til morning after that which totally isn't fair. Also make sure you've got snacks in your bag just incase. First labors are notoriously long, my first was 16hrs of hard labor(sounds worse than it was though because I was comfortably numb with an epidural after the first 2 hrs)

Answer 4

Don't worry! You should be able to drink and eat as you wish during labor. Doctors are all about Lawyer Proofing and doing things for their benefit, so you have to say what you want. When I was in intense labor my stomach felt queasy, so I asked for the thing that always comforts my tummy. Sprite and dry cereal. My mom went and got me a big cup with ice, sprite, and a straw and a baggie of cereal I'd brought with me. It was a comfort and instantly settled my stomach. Don't forget that this is YOUR BIRTH. Birth is not a medical procedure unless there is something that goes wrong. Make sure you tell your doctor you wishes and put it in writing in your birth plan. I requested no IV unless medically necessary, the option to eat and drink during labor, and the freedom to move around to birth in a variety of positions as I felt like it. My doctor agreed and that's exactly what I did. Make sure that your birthing partner will be your advocate during the birth to make sure the nurses leave you alone to do what you wish. It's YOUR birth. Don't let them push you around. If you need a C-section and have food in you stomach, fine. They do emergency surgeries all the time after people had eaten. If someone came in from a car accident to have emergency surgery, would the say "Wait, did he eat or drink recently!" No. I think it's much more risky to have a woman in labor for hours and hours with nothing to eat or drink . You'll get exahusted and feel like crap! Bring snacks and beverages and don't ask. Just do what you want. Remember, unless medical intervention is needed, YOU are the expert at your birth. You know how you feel and what you need. Trust your instincts. Good luck and happy birthing!!!

Answer 5

The reason is if for some reason the baby's heart rate or any number of things that could go wrong during labor, as excessive bleeding, that would cause you to have to have an operation, you will start vomiting from the liquid and can cause fluid aspiration in your lungs, and can result in chemical pneumonia when they give you anesthetic. This is the same reason you cannot eat anything.

Try not to worry, as a dry mouth will be the least of your worries. A lot of times, they start and IV anyway in case of an emergency and to keep you hydrated during labor.

Answer 6

whats up i'm 29 weeks additionally! My dr hasn't reported something the two. i'm no longer doing a delivery plan yet while i grew to become into i might in basic terms ask her, "while can we talk approximately my delivery plan?" that is problematic adequate waiting for infant yet waiting for them, very draining lol. I call them very just about a week with questions lol. that's what they're there for!

Answer 7

The primary reason for not allowing a woman in labor to have something to drink has nothing to do with her bladder, but with her stomach. If she is having difficulty giving birth, and must have a cesarean section, then she must usually have a general anesthetic; it's best to give a general anesthetic to a patient with an empty stomach, so that when she's coming out of it, she doesn't run the risk of aspirating ("inhaling") the contents of the stomach if she should vomit. Aspiration can be very dangerous; it introduces not only liquid into the lungs, but also a variety of organisms that are perfectly ok in the stomach, but potentially deadly in the respiratory passage.

During labor, an IV line is generally placed in your arm as a routine precaution; if you need fluids or glucose, those are easily introduced via the line, so you should have no need to eat or drink for a while.

Answer 8

I was allowed to drink anything, and it was even suggested i drink lemonade as the sugar would give me a bit of energy during the final stage of labor. I would drink something anyway, it wont hurt you, the worst thing that can happen is you throw up, big deal.

Answer 9

As mentioned, in case of a C-section or other emergency surgery. In the absolute worst case scenario, the mother will need life-saving surgery. The medication used in surgery will cause vomiting if there is food in the patient's stomach.

Surgery requires stitching which vomiting can rip causing bleeding.

So to be perfectly safe, the rule is that no woman can eat so that every woman is ready for surgery in the extremely unlikely event that she needs to have surgery, particularly major abdominal surgery.

Answer 10

They are afraid of vomiting and if an emergency situation was to happen and you would need to be put out they would not have any fear with the anesthesia...I too am sensitive to cold things but trust me when in labor ice chips on your lips melting felt great plus it moistened your mouth.