I'd like to know what is normal where you work?

This is something that is of particular interest to me, because the hospital where I work still have the policy of women only drinking water in labour.

There is a group of midwives (myself included) who are really keen to see this changed.

What happens where you work? Do you have certain criteria for women to be able to eat and drink in labour? What do you offer them to eat and drink?

Any replies gratefully received. Thanks.

Hi Shoshana

As you probably know, I don't work to a policy. The women I attend to tend to eat and drink freely, but I do try to suggest certain types of food for labour, especially if it is lagging. Things like honey, and lovely brothy miso soup which is a good electrolyte balancer. I am not too keen on those dextrose tablets, I get this impression that they elevate adrenalin (I might be wrong) which I would rather not to be elevated in labour.

Thanks LE. Do you make up the miso soup yourself, or bring a packet mix?

Dextrose sweets are the only thing women are allowed to have at present, in the hospital where I work. If we are able to relax the policy on eating and drinking in labour, there shouldn't be a need for these.

You can buy packet mix of miso soup, and it is pretty palatable, as far as miso soup goes (you know my views on healthy food, needs must and all that).

Women in labour will do almost anything, if they feel it will help. Even eating miso soup!

Eating and drinking is advocated where I am training

(ooh, am i allowed to post on midwive's threads?)

I'm not sure...? But, personally I'd like to hear what you have to say. What sorts of things do women eat and drink where you are training?

We allow women to eat and drink freely in labour, infact, we encourage it. It saves having to put up hartmans for a labour that has began to stall.
I have even had a woman send her partner out for a Nando's. I wasn't sure whether to dissuade her or not, but decided she should do what she wanted. As it happened, when it arrived, she only wanted a tiny amount, but at least she enjoyed it.
KS x

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Kentish Spitfire
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"It's better to be thought a fool - rather than proved a fool!"

KS - so you have no restrictions on what women can and cannot eat?

We were thinking of drawing up a list of foods that we could offer. - Light snacks, toast, cup of tea etc.

I know this is such a contenscious issue in trusts, some allow it some don't. But have never really worked out what the research is based on saying that you can't eat? Or is it because of the risk of ending up with a emcs? If so, what's wrong with sodium citrate?
Sorry, still have a lot to learn!!
x