Worried about being hungry during labor?

Question

I'm usually very hungry all the time, and when I don't eat for a long time I get nauseous and possibly vomit.

Will I face the same problem during labor, since they probably won't let me eat?

Or do women usually not feel as hungry because of the contractions?

Thanks!

Answer

Just so you're aware, hospital policy is not law. You can do what you choose while you're in labor. You have the right and you are charge.

evidencebasedbirth.com/eating

“Nothing by mouth” during labor originated in the 1940s and is based on doctors’ fear that a person will inhale (aspirate) stomach contents while under general anesthesia for an emergency Cesarean. However, the increase in the use of epidurals and advances in surgery and anesthesia have made aspiration almost unheard of today. The American College of Nurse Midwives, World Health Organization, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines in the United Kingdom, and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines in Canada all recommend that people be able to choose whether or not they want to eat and drink during labor.

Answer

I was focused on other things but I was also starving lol 
They wouldn't let me eat or drink anything except ice chips from 12am- 11pm the next day. Basically a full 24 hours till I had my son and it was horrible. First thing I wanted after giving birth was chicken strips 😂😂 and I made my husband go get them

Answer

I learned the hard way that my body does not tolerate food when I'm in labor. 😂 I'm considering requesting liquids or ice chips to stay hydrated though and will eat after birth. 😊

Answer

The day I went into labor I had woken up at around 4:30am like I usually did towards the end of pregnancy to eat. That was usually when I got hungry, so I had a bowl of cereal and went back to bed. My water broke at 7:30am and contractions started around 8:30ish am. Headed to the hospital then. Had my son at 7:51 that night. Never once thought about food. Never felt hungry until after birth.

Answer

I was not hungry at all and hadn't eaten for about 8 hours before I went into labor

Answer

definitely eat! some women labor for many, many hours or even days and you need all the strength and energy necessary to endure your labor and birth. check out this article by evidence based birth to confirm that there is absolutely no harm or adverse risk to eating while in labor. https://evidencebasedbirth.com/q-a-food-and-drink-during-labor-9/

Answer

While in labor and even before labor started I oddly wasn't hungry that day at all. But after baby is born I'm starving and I always have my kids middle of the night just not fair. I'm packing snacks this time for after delivery so I don't have to wait til breakfast!

Answer

I think you'll probably be more worried about getting your son or daughter out 😂 instead of having a snack during labor. I couldnt have anything to drink during my labor just crunched on some ice. I was hungry afterwards though

Answer

I think your mind will definitely be other places but you could always pack some granola bars in your bag

Answer

I think you will probably have more to worry about. Xx

Worried about being hungry during labor?

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