Should we restrict food intake during labor? A randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: To evaluate whether consuming food during labor influences its outcomes.

Methods: This randomized controlled study included healthy, laboring patients at 37-41 weeks of gestation. After epidural anesthesia, patients were randomized into groups of eating at will versus drinking clear fluids only. The primary composite outcome included unplanned cesarean delivery, the need for general anesthesia, asphyxia, postpartum fever, and prolonged postpartum admission (more than 5 days). Secondary outcomes included the need for oxytocin, length of the second stage of labor, postpartum analgesia requirements, and early maternal and neonatal outcomes. Sample size analysis indicated that 126 patients needed to be randomized to detect a statistically significance difference between the groups.

Results: A total of 129 patients were randomized: 58 to the fluids-only group and 71 to the food group. The groups had similar basic characteristics. The composite outcome of complications attributed to eating during labor and delivery was comparable between groups. Labor progression and the need for oxytocin augmentation were similar in both groups. The groups had comparable fetal heart rate tracings, modes of delivery, maternal and neonatal outcomes, and complications. None of the patients in the study experienced aspiration or an indication for general anesthesia.

Conclusion: While our data suggest that eating during labor does not adversely affect labor progression or outcomes, we recommend a cautious approach, allowing patients autonomy while considering individual risk factors.

Trial registration: The study has been registered in the primary clinical trial registry on 02/12/2023. ISRCTN trial number ISRCTN11794106, registration number 44513. https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN11794106 .