Sister, due to give birth in France, has been told she isn't allowed to eat or drink during labour. Huh? Anyone know if this is a translation mistake?

[linspins]

She is due in June, and has been for a visit to the hospital. During the tour, they were told they weren't allowed to eat or drink during labour. The talk was in French, which she only speaks a tiny bit of. I can't imagine it's at all sensible or safe not to drink, at the very least! Does anyone have a better idea of what is allowed in French hospitals? Thanks ladies.

[tobiasfunke]

I was induced with the syntocin drip in Scotland and was told no food and only small amounts of water. The lovely anaesthetist who gave me my epidural told me to sip energy drinks instead of water despite the midwife having a canary. He pointed out both were liquids and it was ridiculous to expect women to labour for hours with no energy going in. She wasn't happy.

[5madthings]

The only time I had a drip in Labour was for sytocinon, there is no need for a drip in most labours and they can restrict movement as well as being uncomfortable and prevent use of birthing pool etc.

If you have an epidural you will gave a drip.

But if you don't want an epidural much better to just drink rather than have a drip for fluids.

The latest studies show no increased risk if women eat and drink during Labour, the worry was sickness and choking etc but studies sshowed it doesn't increase this risk and actually it's better to prevent dehydration and ketosis.

Obviously if you don't feel like eating or drinking fine, but those that do shouldn't be stoped! And many midwives will encourage you to drink.

Y children are 14, 11, 9, 6 and 3 I was 'allowed' to eat and drink, was induced for all of them and resisted Drs advice to stay on the bed #with support of midwife).

I aagree French post natal careseems better, esp physio and pelvic floor etc but no eating and drinking is outdated and not backed up by research.

[MummytoMog]

I had a drip and was gagging for water after I had DC1. DC2 I didn't eat or drink and had no desire to until the morning after.

[treaclesoda]

I wasn't allowed to eat and drink in labour either, in the UK. I had lunch on Monday and was induced that evening and wasn't allowed anthing until Wednesday evening when it was finally all over.

My sister wasn't either, and ended up without anything to eat or drink for about three days .

[Hulababy]

I had a drip too but would have struggled without water too.

[TheBookofRuth]

I wasn't allowed to eat anything or drink anything but water when I was in labour with DD in the UK two years ago. I eventually gave birth at just after midnight via EMCS after 24 hours in labour, and didn't get anything till breakfast was brought round in the morning, by which time it had been about 40 hours since I'd last eaten.

[SizzlesSit]

You dont get dehydrated as you have a drip

[Hulababy]

I assume the bit drinking thing must only be for active labour and some leeway for extended labours; or are extended labours prevented?

I was in the labour ward for several hours. I could t have gone without water all that time.

I didn't really eat for more than 2 days though. Had toast straight after my first induction gel on the wed night but beyond that very little at all next day and nothing til after she was born the Friday night. I couldn't have eaten - sickness and just a general inability. I was allowed to drink water though even after an epidural and before/after a c section.

[expatinscotland]

I'd take the French experience as opposed to the UK one any day, especially the postnatal care.

[5madthings]

I was induced with all 5 of mine and still steer drank as I wanted.

Btw if you drink then make sure to wee regularly, a full bladder can slow the descent of baby.

[5madthings]

They can't stop you from eating! They can recommend you don't and no drinking is madness as delivery rooms are often quite warm. Being dehydrated is not good for Mum or baby.

I was told to eat in one Labour as I had ketones? In my urine?

With ds1 I was in labour fir three days, first labours can be long and drawn out and you do need to keep your energy up, you certainly need to keep hydrated.

You may not feel like eating, I was encouraged to drink by midwives.

In my Labour with ds3 I was eating carrots and celery and pretzels! Craved them throughout pregnancy.

I had stuff like flapjack etc to help with energy levels.

My short labours ie under thfree hours I drank, but didnt eat. But tea and toast after was the best!

[linspins]

Thanks everyone. She's generally quite positive about the way it all seems to be handled in France, although she did say it's very common for epidurals. There are good things - aroma therapy in labour, private rooms and baby massage, to balance out the medicalised approach. I have advised her to be clear (militant) in her wishes, e.g. What birthing position she wants, whether to have epidural etc, and to drink if she needs it. I don't think I ate much myself once in labour, maybe the odd biscuit bar etc, but I did drink things.
She's a little apprehensive about the long stay, but again, there are good bits like hopefully she'll get well looked after.
I'm over in France now for a few days helping her nest!

[Pregnantagain7]

I wasn't allowed to eat when I was in labour with my last two children because I was being induced, and in case I needed I c section and that was in england. With my first I was allowed to eat had a tracker bar and the lot came straight back up. The midwife said that it really common not to be able to eat anything when you're in labour.

[babyboomersrock]

It used to be 'normal' not to eat or drink during labour (in hospital). Maybe a glass of water if you were very hot.

I had no desire to eat once labour had kicked in - I am always surprised to hear of women eating "to keep their strength up". Unless you're in labour for days on end, I imagine your last meal would see you through.

I did enjoy the tea and toast afterwards though.

[dreamingbohemian]

I wasn't allowed to eat during labour in London, just four years ago. I then had a CS and wasn't allowed to eat for a while after that so I didn't eat anything for 30 hours basically.

My SILs gave birth in France, they each had a private room and at night the nurses will look after your baby so you can sleep. Sounds good to me.

[Artandco]

I think even in the uk it's not recommended to eat much incase you need surgery. Drinks fine and odd energy sweets etc. having surgery on a full stomach allows for more conplications

[nicename]

I was told that it was the norm (like shaving and enemas) in some places/time periods because it was assumed that you would vomit during labour.

I had nice cups of tea when I was in labour (it was nighttime so I wasn't hungry).

Seriously, who is going to try to wrestle a sandwich from the hands of a labouring woman?

[ppeatfruit]

Blimey Sizzles I had dd1 34 years ago in West London Hospital and HAD to stay in for 7 days (after a normal VD) how things have changed!

[SizzlesSit]

Oh and there are lots of MNers who have given birth in France so if she has any other questions dont hesitate to ask!

[SizzlesSit]

Ive given birth twice in France. Both times told I wasnt allowed to eat or drink once at the hospital. Both times advised to eat and drink before coming in.

I was allowed an evian face spray.

It wasnt too bad during labour. The worst was that I wasnt allowed to eat or drink for 2/3 hours after the birth (in case of complications). Really needed a drink by that point!

Still, generally my experiences in France were positive and my post-labour complication recently was very well identified and handled.

The hardest thing to get my head around was that you have to stay in hospital until baby is at least 3 days and has started putting on weight...

[Claxonia]

This was true for me in France, was allowed to spray water into mouth but not drink. Did get epidurals as soon as I asked though, which I was grateful for!

[youmakemydreams]

My first 2 were hospital births 11 and 8 years ago and I wasn't allowed to eat in labour and only drink water. Tbh the second time my mum would pop chocolate squares in my mouth when I asked her to because I had a massive craving in labour for chocolate all 3 times usually hate the stuff.
Third time at home could obviously eat and drink as I wished.

[frankiebuns]

I was allowed to drink lucazade but only 2 bottles I was induced and eventually had emcs tbh I was in so much pain I forgot about drinking and eating

[Fissawissa]

I wasn't lowed to drink or eat 5 years ago in Ireland!
I took to drinking gaviscon to quench my thirst

[weatherall]

It's part of the very medicalised birth process in France.

She will be allowed ice chips (whoopee do!)

Can she not nip back to the UK?

I know I really wouldn't want to give birth in France.