Can I eat during labour?

Midwife Katie replies: We used to ban eating and drinking in labour because of concerns that an emergency Caesarean under a general anaesthetic might be needed, but as most Caesareans are now done under spinal or epidural anaesthesia, this ban  is no longer necessary. We have also learnt that women don't like being forced to do things in labour, so banning food, or trying to encourage women to eat can increase anxiety levels and may slow labour down. I'd advise you to eat if you feel like it. This way you are less likely to be sick. Most people don't eat much once labour has got underway but if you're feeling hungry, eat light, bland and easily digestible things such as pasta, eggs or toast. As labour progresses, have snacks such as bananas, grapes or chocolate to nibble. In advanced labour most women seem to just want drinks to sip. Vomiting in labour is rarely a major problem, but if you are unlucky enough to be sick, it's probably more comfortable to have eaten so you're not retching on an empty stomach.

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