Eating and drinking in labour

Is it safe to eat and drink in labour?

Yes. Some (but not all) women feel hungry and thirsty during labour, especially when in early labour. Studies have found that there aren't any harmful effects on either mothers or babies from eating and drinking during labour (O’Sullivan et al 2009, Singata et al 2010).

Hospital guidelines that are based on the evidence say you can drink and eat a light diet during labour provided that you don't use a painkiller such as pethidine or develop any complications during labour that might make you need a general anaesthetic later on.

Some hospitals in Australia, however, still recommend a restriction on what you can eat and drink during labour.

Eating small snacks or sipping liquids may even help you cope better with labour. That’s because if you haven’t had enough to eat or drink, your body starts to break down its own stores of fat to gain the energy it needs. This is called ketosis.

Ketosis is your body’s natural response to any prolonged physical activity, such as labour, that result in you using more energy than you are taking in (Sintaga et al 2010). Ketosis can cause nausea, vomiting and headaches. It can also be a sign of exhaustion (NCCWCH 2007).

So you can see how a few extra kilojoules could really help you feel and cope better during labour, just as an athlete ensures she’s got enough energy to run her race.

What are the best things to eat?

It's best to be guided by what you feel like eating, within reason! Keep in mind that high-fat foods can be heavy on the stomach and could make you feel sick (McCormick 2009).

Sugary foods are easy to eat and give you a quick energy boost, but this is short-lived and could leave you feeling quite low. If you’re really craving a sweet hit, try a little honey on a spoon.

Carbohydrates are good for labour because they give a long, slow release of energy to help you through contractions. You could choose from:

• bread, toast, naan, chapati
• cereals
• pasta
• potatoes
• bananas
• yoghurt
• plain biscuits
• soup

Eat little and often, rather than having one big meal. A small snack every hour while you're in early labour, before you go to the hospital or call the midwife, will store up plenty of energy for the work ahead.

Pack food like barley sugars, glucose jelly beans or fruit bars in your hospital bag, in case you feel like snacking once you’re at the hospital or birth centre. Get some advice from your caregiver, though, if you have diabetes or gestational diabetes.

Remember that your birth partner will need to keep his energy levels up, too. Labour can be long and hard-going, so encourage him to take regular food breaks.

What should I drink?

Once you're in established labour, you'll probably find that you don't want to eat much or anything at all (McCormick 2009, Singata et al 2010). But labour is thirsty work, and delivery rooms are usually very hot. So you'll certainly want something to drink.

Don't worry about needing to go for a wee. Walking to the toilet is an excellent way of keeping mobile during labour. Your midwife will encourage you to empty your bladder every couple of hours during labour anyway.

Some women like isotonic drinks used by athletes, particularly if they don't feel like eating (NCCWCH 2004, 2007), although they’re often too strong and labouring women prefer to water them down. They’re designed to be quickly absorbed and give your body the right kind of energy for the exercise to come. Sample the flavours before you go into labour so you can stash a few bottles of the ones you like in your hospital bag.

Otherwise, water, coconut water, diluted apple juice and cordial are good options. Or you might fancy a fruit smoothie. Try one containing yoghurt and bananas for an extra energy boost.

Fizzy drinks, such as lemonade and cola, may not be a good idea because they may make you feel sick. And you'll probably want to avoid acidic fruit juices, such as orange and grapefruit.

What if I need a caesarean section?

The possibility of a caesarean section under general anaesthetic used to be the reason why women were advised not to eat during labour. If you have a general anaesthetic, there's a small risk that food in your stomach might be regurgitated and inhaled into your lungs as the anaesthetic drugs take effect.

In fact, the risk of this happening is much lower than it used to be. For a start, most caesareans are not carried out under general anaesthetic nowadays. The majority are performed under an epidural or spinal injection (Thomas and Paranjothy 2001, Wray and Platt 2007).

But if you’re experiencing complications that may require a general anaesthetic, it’s best to take a cautious approach to eating. Ask your doctor or midwife if you’re in any doubt.

If you do have a general anaesthetic and have eaten beforehand, don’t worry. Anaesthetic practice has advanced and your anaesthetist will make sure you don’t inhale anything from your stomach as the drugs take effect (McCormick 2009).

Remember that anaesthetics are used on patients in emergency wards all the time, and it’s unlikely they’ve fasted before their accident or emergency! In any case, fasting during labour doesn’t guarantee that you’ll have an empty stomach (McCormick 2009, Singata et al 2010).

Some people argue that far fewer women would need a caesarean if they were allowed to keep their energy up by eating and drinking during labour. But studies show no link between whether you eat or not and how long or straightforward your labour is (Kardel et al 2010, O’Sullivan et al 2009, Singata et al 2010).

So whatever your circumstances when in labour, listening to your body’s appetite could be your best guide to what you should eat or drink.

Check out our slideshow of what to pack in your hospital bag.