The Evidence: On Eating and Drinking in Labor

 I've been waiting for this one from Rebecca Dekker​ of Evidence Based Birth for awhile. So happy it's finally here! With the conclusion that many midwives, doulas, and childbirth educators have long known research supports - It should be up to the laboring person if they want to eat and drink. Evidence does not support restricting food for low risk people due to risk of aspiration in the case of an emergency general anesthesia cesarean birth. Share with your local hospitals and your providers. Policies can and will change. Just like most local hospitals to us in the Philly area moved from NPO (nothing by mouth) to drinking clear fluids now being allowed instead of automatic IV fluids only. Eating will join soon. No one's trying to eat a steak, but having energy in the earlier parts of labor is important and usually desired until labor really picks up. So let's all do our part to continue pushing for birthing people being able to do what their bodies need and moving away from restrictions and limitations based on ancient studies and fear. Then we can start to see more of the benefits of people being able to eat and drink as desired.

​For one week you can get the PDF to share as needed, with Rebecca's permission and encouragement. https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-eating-drinking-labor/