As some of you know, one of the concerns I have when I start going into to labor is that I'll get some food into my body before the hospital decides to limit my intake. Yes, I'll likely be given an IV that will provide me with sustenance, but that's not the same as real food.Why would the hospital limit your food intake anyway? There are lots of theories (many dated) on this. For one thing, the mother probably won't want to eat much since nausea is a common labor side effect. Another: in the rare possibility that you'd need general anaesthesia for a C-section, there's a risk of aspiration. However, not only are you incredibly unlikely to need such anesthesia (since they now have a range of pain medications), studies have shown the aspiration rate to be minuscule.
Thankfully, there's a growing trend that's beginning to rethink this logic because recent studies have shown that, among other reasons, snacking can shorten labor by up to 90 minutes. Of course, this doesn't mean I should run to Micky D's for some fries on the way to the hospital. Labor is a little bit like running a marathon--light, easily digested snacks are key, along with ones that keep you hydrated--can provide you with energy throughout the process. So bring on the popsicles! Apparently, even the strictest of hospitals allow their patients to snack on these.
it was my understanding that MoBap has some kind of popsicle station in the childbirth center?? i think i remember this from their website, and i found it oddly comforting. i couldn't possibly labor someplace that didn't offer popsicles.
ReplyDeleteone can always make a run through Sonic on the way to the hospital, right?
ReplyDeleteInteresting...did you get more than an IV for the super long labor?
ReplyDelete