Fueling the Labor Marathon: Evidence-Based Education on Eating and Drinking in Labor
Labor is like a marathon, real sustained work. And for the average first time mom labor can last around 20-24 hours. Yet many hospital bound parents are surprised to hear they may be discouraged from eating or drinking once labor begins. For healthy, low-risk pregnancies, current evidence tells us that staying nourished and hydrated during labor is safe and beneficial.
Historically, food and fluids were restricted due to concerns about aspiration during emergency general anesthesia. Today, general anesthesia is rarely used in labor, and modern obstetric care looks very different. For most birthing people, the risk that drove those old policies is no longer relevant. For further reading on how rare complications related to eating and drinking are read more here from Evidence Based Birth.
Your body needs energy to labor effectively. When it runs out of fuel, it begins burning fat instead of glucose, which can increase fatigue and sometimes slow labor progress. Eating or drinking can help maintain stamina, support uterine efficiency, and improve overall comfort during a long labor.
Word to the wise, many women throw up at some point during labor. If after talking with your medical care team you do decide to eat and drink during labor, consider eating and drinking things you are ok with seeing come back up again!
What the Evidence Actually Shows
Research consistently shows no benefit to routine restriction of food or fluid during labor for low-risk patients.
A large Cochrane Review found no increase in cesarean rates, complications, or newborn risks among women who ate or drank during labor compared to those who were restricted. Similarly, a meta-analysis of thousands of births found no cases of aspiration when oral intake was allowed and noted slightly shorter labors among those who ate.
Professional organizations have responded to this growing body of evidence.
ACOG supports the use of clear liquids (such as water, electrolyte drinks, and juice) during labor for low-risk patients.
The World Health Organization recommends allowing women to eat and drink as desired during labor, emphasizing comfort, autonomy, and physiologic birth.
In short: for uncomplicated pregnancies, there is no evidence that restricting food and fluids improves outcomes.
Advocating for Yourself in the Hospital
Despite updated research, some hospitals still follow restrictive policies. If this matters to you, preparation and calm advocacy go a long way.
Start the conversation prenatally with your provider. Ask what their hospital’s policy is and share that you understand current evidence supports oral intake for low-risk labor. You can include this preference in your birth plan.
If questions come up during labor, simple language is often effective:
“I’m low-risk, and I understand current guidelines from WHO support food and fluids during labor. I feel better staying nourished, is there any medical reason I should change my plan?”
Your doula can help reinforce these conversations, and support you in making informed, collaborative decisions. Advocacy doesn’t need to be confrontational, it’s about shared understanding and respectful dialogue.
The Bottom Line
Eating and drinking during labor is about fueling your body for one of the most physically demanding experiences of your life.
For most healthy pregnancies, the evidence is clear: staying nourished and hydrated during labor is safe, supportive, and aligned with modern, evidence-based maternity care. At the end of the day, the choice is yours!
