Snacking: The Berlin wall of maternity
I knew it.
Mamas in labor can eat without the fear of dying, says a new study reported in the New York Times this week.
Nearly 70 years of dogma have prevented women in labor from snacking or drinking. When I checked into the hospital to deliver my baby, my snack-in-hand was met with a gasp and mandate: Throw away the apple.
The apple? Not this Pink Lady bought in the dead of a Midwestern winter for a pretty penny. No ma'am. I couldn't fathom going hours without eating or drinking.
The concern is real. Bits of the apple or Sprite (which I had later in the day during lunch) could have made their way from the stomach to the lungs if I were put under general anesthesia. However, the study notes, most women given anesthesia are given a regional dose -- as was I.
Like with any study there are flaws in this one, mainly that there were only 11 case studies and 3,130 women included.
The best thing that could come from this study is a healthy discussion between women, doctors and researchers about whether the embargo on food during labor can be lifted.
Perhaps it would be better to suggest that it's OK for most women to have 3 ounces of chicken broth or a fist-full of nuts during labor.
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