To Eat or Not to Eat? A Review of Current Practices Regarding Food in Labor

Purpose of Review: Significant changes in the perception of women’s birth experience and increased importance of maternal satisfaction have questioned fasting policies in labor. This review presents current guidelines and developments regarding food in labor, highlighting the importance of finding a safe compromise between liberal and restrictive policies. Recent Findings: Aspiration of gastric contents in the pregnant population is exceedingly rare, despite liberal food policies. Little evidence suggests epidural analgesia affects the risk for aspiration. No evidence supports benefits of eating for obstetric outcomes; however, eating increases maternal satisfaction. Gastric ultrasound may be a useful tool for evaluating a woman’s stomach content and aspiration risk. Summary: Our interpretation of the literature supports that women at low risk for aspiration, peripartum surgery, or need for general anesthesia should be permitted light food during labor. It may be advisable to recommend that women at high risk for peripartum surgery avoid food and restrict consumption to carbohydrate-rich drinks. Gastric ultrasound may be useful to tailor patient-specific recommendations in the delivery ward.