445 Should we restrict food intake during labor?

Abstract

There is insufficient data regarding the safety of food intake during labor and its influence on labor’s course and outcome. The advantages of energy maintenance versus the risks of emesis, reflux or pulmonary aspiration during labor are not well established in the literature. Our objective was to evaluate whether eating during labor influences progression and the use of analgesics. We randomised laboring patients at 37 to 41 weeks into groups of eating versus drinking clear fluid only, during their labor and delivery. Patients with diabetes were excluded. The primary outcome was labor progression for which the sample size needed to detect a 50% difference was 126 patients. Secondary outcomes were need of analgesia, mode of delivery and early maternal and neonatal outcomes. 133 patients were randomized. The groups had similar basic characteristics. Labor progression and oxytocin requirements were similar in both groups. The rate of meconium stained amniotic fluid was higher among in the eating group without a correlation to the fetal heart rate tracing, mode of delivery or neonatal outcomes. There was no difference in the length of post-partum hospitalization or the need of pain relievers. Eating during labor and delivery does not have an adverse effect on its progression and outcome. Our data support patient’s autonomy to choose whether to eat or not during their labors.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)