Why do hospitals not let you eat while in labor? - Page 2

[conniebonnie]

im a doula and went into my first client's birth expecting the clear liquids rule.
We got two cups, water for me, ice chips for her. I asked for a straw so that she could drink the water from the melting ice and the nurse asked is it for you or her, i said her, she said she could only have ice chips. i said "they melted." she said "ill get her some more" and took the cup away.
Another nurse started the same thing and then kinda trailed off when she got to the part about ice chips being different than water.....

[wendy1221]

It's dumb. My first birth, they had the no food or liquids, but I could have popcicles and ice chips. Dumb. After telling meI couldn't have anything, they told me partner that there was a snack area and he could help himself if he got hungry/thirsty.: I had him bring me some crackers just on principle.

My 2nd birth, different hospital, the nurses said I couldn't have anything until my doc got there b/c different docs had different rules and they weren't allowed. The first thing my doc did when she came was give me a sprite and ask me if I wanted juice or something else. That birth was overall and awful, awful experience, but at least my doc was nice.

My 3rd birth at home w/a mw, my mw kept silently leaving little plates of food and glasses of water or juice next to me my whole labor. Once I told her I wasn't hungry and she said that's ok, if I got hungry it was there and I needed to keep my strength up.

[mwherbs]

--------ritual and habit