Monday 19 April 2010, 2:34PM
PEARLS 237, March 2010, written by Brian R McAvoy
Clinical question
What are the benefits and harms of oral fluid or food
restriction during labour?
Bottom line
The evidence identified no benefits or harms (in terms of
caesarean sections, operative vaginal births or Apgar scores <7
at 5 minutes) associated with restricting womenÕs access to fluids
and foods during labour, for women at low risk of potentially
requiring a general anaesthetic; the studies did not assess womenÕs
views or feelings of control. Hence, women should have the autonomy
and freedom to choose whether to eat or drink in labour, or not.
Women should be able to consume what they desire and in doing so
experience no adverse impact on labour, maternal or foetal
outcomes.
Caveat
There were no studies identified that looked at restricting oral
fluids and food during labour for women at increased risk of
requiring general anaesthesia, so restricting oral fluid and food
intake for these women remains an unproven intervention.
Context
Restricting oral fluids and food during labour is common practice
across many birth settings, with some women only being allowed sips
of water or ice chips. Restriction of oral intake may be unpleasant
for some women, and may adversely influence their experience of
labour.
Cochrane Systematic Review
Singata M et al. Restricted oral fluid and food intake during
labour. Cochrane Reviews 2010, Issue 1. Article No. CD003930. DOI:
10.1002/14651858.CD003930.pub2. This review contains 5 studies
involving 3130 participants