One of the hardest parts about going into labor is not being able to eat anything. Common knowledge says that all you can eat is ice chips, but new research may show otherwise. There may be some other options on what women can eat, it will just depend on what the women’s situation is.

Key Takeaways:

• A new study is the latest to suggest it’s safe and possibly even beneficial for women with low-risk pregnancies to consume light meals and liquid carbohydrates during childbirth.
• The long-standing advice against foods during labor stems from concerns that women under general anesthesia could potentially inhale food or liquid into their lungs and choke.
• The study found no increase in labor complications or vomiting among women allowed more than ice chips and water. In fact, women who consumed food or liquid carbohydrates had labors about 16 minutes shorter on average than the ice chips and water group, the researchers found.

“Frequently, women are allowed only ice chips and sips of water during labor. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends no solid foods during labor, but does say women can drink clear liquids such as fruit juice without pulp, carbonated beverages, clear tea, black coffee, and sports drinks.”

https://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/study-eating-more-than-ice-chips-during-labor-is-ok/