The research conducted at East London Hospital revealed that limiting food or water during labor was found to have no effects on the delivery.

“Women should be able to make their own decisions about whether they want to eat or drink during labor, or not,” said Mandisa Singata, the lead researcher.

Dr. Jennifer Milosavljevic, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology at Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, agrees, and said, “I have not seen any unfavorable effects by allowing women the option of liquids or a regular diet in labor.”

Series of five studies on 3130 women
The research team conducted five studies to learn the effects of inhibiting food or drink during labor.

In one study, there was absolute restriction on one group, and the other was allowed to eat or drink as to its participants’ liking.

During two other studies, one group was given water and the other group specific fluids and food.

In yet another two studies, one group was allowed water and another was given carbohydrate drinks.

The team found no differences in the deliveries of the two groups, especially in caesarean sections, as thought earlier.

“Since the evidence shows no benefits or harms, there is no justification for nil by mouth policies during labor, provided women are at low risk of complications,” said Singata.

However, the team said that they did not study women with a high risk of complications in particular. The researchers also stressed on further research for this particular group.

Past misconceptions
Though there is no substantiation that ingestion through the labor hours may be harmful for the woman or her child, she has been restrained from it.

It has been thought that in rare cases, when patients are given local anesthesia like in a C-section, complications tend to occur if pieces of regurgitated food are inhaled.

“In my experience most pregnant patients at Henry Ford are placed on a clear liquid diet during labor which includes water, apple juice, cranberry juice, broth, and jello,” said Milosavljevic.

Eating during labor might develop the risk of Mendelson’s syndrome, which can damage the lungs badly. But the doctors say that even though averting Mendelson’s syndrome is imperative, this could be done by other means than restricting food.

The study appears in the publication Cochrane Library.