On today's episode, we're going to take a deep dive into the research evidence on eating and drinking during labor!

In this episode, I talk about the history of anesthesia and food and oral fluids during labor— starting in the 1940s and moving forward to current times. I also talk about Nothing by Mouth (NPO) policies in hospitals, and discuss how researchers have reframed the topic for birthing people today as one of bodily choice. I also talk about whether or not people should be able to eat once they experience medical interventions such as an epidural (because many hospitals around the world still forbid food once you have an epidural!)

Content warning: In this episode, I talk about maternal death and labor complications.

RESOURCES:

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EBB 198 - Evidence on Eating and Drinking During Labor

Evidence Based Birth®

EBB 198 - Evidence on Eating and Drinking During Labor