No eating once you're in labor?

Question

Ok I just read a question about how long you were in labor from start to finish and a ton of women said like 30+ hours...how do they expect you to go that long without eating? I would be so hungry, irritable, and weak and then they expect us to push out a baby!

Answer 1

Haha honey, trust me. Food will be the very last thing on your mind. They hook you up to an IV so that you won't dehydrate and you get to eat ice chips. They let me have suckers too.  The only way you will be weak is if you don't get plenty of sleep. In which that is what pain meds are for

Answer 2

That was a reason I chose Home Birth. The reason they don't want you to eat is because you may need a c-section and it would be dangerous to eat and then have surgery. Hospital rules. I am in agreement with you that you need to be able to eat to keep your strength up. They are afraid you'll be nauseated too and food will somehow make you sicker. Whatever!

I had one baby at the hospital (thankfully only a 9 hour labor) and I was starving by the time she was born.

Either try to wait as long as possible and eat a bunch before going up there or have husband sneak some food in to you!

You may not be hungry in labor, but I was with my 1st - it was a 24 hour labor. I pretty much just wanted fruits and apple juice though. I didn't need anything heavy. You'll have to decide what works for you.

Answer 3

There is no eating once you get to the hospital.  You can eat before you go, but many people get sick (vomit), so they won't let you eat until after the baby is born.  My labor was only 4 1/2 hours for my first and only.  So it isn't necessarily 30+ hours.  Everyone and every baby differs.  I don't think that they will let you go 30+ hours anymore.  Most of the time if you are that long they will do a C section.  

Answer 4

its different for everyone. i was in labor for 10 hours with my son, without an epidural(not by choice). i couldne eat because i was induced. if you ask for food, they will bring you jello and foods of the like. its just part of life, and its all worth it in the end!

Answer 5

Yeah, I was in labor for 13 hours the first time. They gave me ice! That was it. I was miserable and my mouth was dry... even though I was being hydrated through an iv. Your best bet is, unless you're getting induced, to not go into the hospital until you can't take it any longer. Labor at home as long as you can! GL!

Answer 6

Actually during labor the last thing you think about is food. You are definitely thirsty, which is why they give you ice cubes. But food is the farthest thing from your mind, trust me.

Although after having baby and everything has calmed down you'll be hungry!

Answer 7

I wondered the same. I know if I don't eat when I am hungry I pass out lol but I assume the adrenaline rush you get from wanting to see your baby and all that will push your body to do extraordinary things! Food will probably be the last thing on our minds!

Answer 8

My first labor lasted about 18 hours and I don't know, I didn't really care about food at the time. With our second and third, I labored in the hospital for only about 4 hours each time so I definately didn't care about eating then. That's one of MANY reasons I try to hold out as long as possible when I know I'm in labor before going in, just in case I want to eat, I wanna be at home so I can if I choose...

It's amazing but honestly, I did feel the was you do but when I finally experienced labor, I didn't care about food so much, I was too focused on trying to ride out the contractions.

Answer 9

I've heard that no eating thing and most Dr's don't enforce it, unless you're high risk and may have to have a C-section with full anesthesia...then it can cause complications to have food in your tum. But my mom was in labor a full day with me and my dad told me she ate a huge cheeseburger, among other things.  

Answer 10

I have no Idea. but to tell you the truth the last thing i was thinking about was food! lol the pain was to bad.  and also one other reason they tell you is because you might have a BM.

Answer 11

They give you liquids through an iv if needed to keep you hydrated. It's amazing what your body can and will do during that time. I had to answer bc everyone is saying food will be the last thing on your mind...in the middle of all my contractions and in between cursing my husband I kept saying "You did this to me! You're getting me Starbucks and whataburger when this is over!!!" Of course...once our son was born I completely forgot I was hungry and hadn't had starbucks in 9 months ;) Lukcily...my dad brought us both whataburger and starbucks that night for dinner. You'll make it through. Good luck!

Answer 12

I two go along with what everyone else is saying. Food is the last thing on your mind when you are in labor. No matter how hungry you may be. They do this for several reasons to keep your body from cramping and to keep the nausea away. Believe me ice will be more than enough to keep you satisfied. After all is said and done you can eat whatever you want. Congratulations and good luck!

Answer 13

trust me, once you are in labor you are not allowed to have anything but ice chips. i was in labor for a total of 18 hours. and all i could have was ice chips. my stomach was so upset right before i start pushing, that i actually threw up.

The only thing i can suggest is to eat something light before going to the hospital. because you might be like me and throw up. i would check with the hospital and your doctor. but really most hospitals/doctors DO NOT allow you to eat or drink anything but water while you are in labor

Answer 14

You can't eat solid food, but they put you on a "clear liquid" diet.  You can have broth, juice, popsicles, jello, coffee, and things like that.

I was hungry during my 22 hour labor, but your body knows what to do and will get you through it.  Best of luck!

Answer 15

Well they give you saline solution to keep you hydrated. I ha my man sneak me in some cookies and pop when no doctors were in the room. they dont like you to eat just in case you have to have a c-section you not suppose to have surgery on a full stomach

Answer 16

When i was induced for my 2nd child they let me have liquid diet food, like jello, chicken broth, popsicles, that was about it,, it took over 10 hrs to have him.  I was also drug free so that may have made a difference, cuz both my other births i had the epi. and they said nothing but icechips not even a real drink, like a glass of water or anything.