Study: Do Not Prohibit Women From Eating or Drinking During Labour

Did you spend hours in the maternity ward feeling starved because medical professionals were afraid to give you any food or drink? According to the Daily Mail, a large number of maternity wards still restrict consumption of food or drink because of concerns about choking or aspiration that can cause serious damage to the lungs.

However, after reviewing the cases of more than 3,000 pregnant women who were at low risk for complications, some researchers concluded that eating or drinking during labour is not harmful to a mother. The National Childbirth Trust said that it has been educating the public on the issue of eating or drinking during labour. Prohibiting women from consuming anything is a practice that has no justification at all.

Do you agree with the conclusion of the researchers in this study? Should women be allowed to eat or drink even if other experts say this is harmful? Tell us about your own experience.

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Written by

Karen Mira

Labourmaternityeat during labour