ACOG came out with an amazing statement, admitting it is safe to drink clear liquids during labor.
Apparently it took many years to realize that ice chips actually turn into liquid when ingested.
ACOG says that women with uncomplicated labor, as well as uncomplicated patients undergoing a planned cesarean, may drink modest amounts of clear liquids during labor if they wish.
Thank you SO much for allowing me to drink during one of the most physically demanding things my body will do! I probably will WISH to drink something. I might get thirsty in an 8-24 hour period of time. You are so nice to ALLOW women to do this.
I wonder how long it will take ACOG to realize that eating a cheeseburger on the way to the hospital is safe too. Maybe in 10 years or so?
Luckily women are strong and smart. As they educate themselves on the true risks, then they can choose if they want to eat and drink during their birthing time! Sadly if they choose to, they may have to hide it from the hospital staff. It depends on the hospital and the care provider. Some encourage light eating and drinking and others freak out.
Hip Hip Hooray! Laboring women can drink water!!! Such Rubbish! I wish the the US would take a closer look at birth in other countries and see how backwards we are. How long until the next enlightenment, who knows!? I guess we should just be grateful for baby steps.
Well it’s about frick fracking time. Where was this revelation 5 years ago when I was in labor 46 hours and sucking on those godforsaken ice chips myself?!?
Your post made me laugh. Gotta love some good sarcasm, especially at ACOG’s expense.
You are hilarious!
Great post! So funny. And yet soooo sad. Man, if I was ever told I couldn’t eat or drink in labor, ooooh, they better watch out! Hahaha…
You should’ve seen my doctors face (he’s a member of ACOG) when I handed him the article I printed from the ACOG website. Priceless.
So now I only have to have a Heplock and get fluids by mouth. I’m still ticked about the Heplock though and might end up ripping it out. Hopefully I’ll be one of those awesome women who gives birth in the hallway because baby is just coming and no one can stop her!
Gee, thanks ACOG.
*cough*morons*cough*
I ate a hearty lunch while I was in labor. Went to the hospital for the final 5 cms (8 hours), during which neither eating nor drinking occurred to me; I was too focused. As with most women in natural birth, I hit transition and got to revisit my lunch, entirely undigested. Why did ACOG ever care whether we eat or drink, knowing that the body eliminates the distraction of food before pushing anyway?
This makes me laugh SO much.
As my mom has in labor with me, she stopped at a hot dog stand and ate two chili cheese dogs before she got to the hospital. She worked at the hospital and knew that they wouldn’t feed her, so she ate before! She’s such a planner.
=)