title: Aspects of food and fluid intake during labour. Policies of midwives and obstetricians in The Netherlands.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study outlines the current policies on food and fluid intake during labour in The Netherlands and discusses the pro's and con's of food-restriction.
  
  
  METHODS
  50 midwives and 30 obstetricians were asked about their actual policy on food and fluid-intake during labour.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A restrictive policy during normal labour is followed by 20% of the midwives and 14% of the obstetricians. About 75% leaves the decision on food and fluid-intake to the women themselves.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the non-restrictive policy in The Netherlands, the mortality due to the Mendelson-syndrome is not higher than in countries where a restrictive policy is followed. During normal labour there are no conclusive reasons for food or fluid-restriction. From a metabolic point of view it is hypothesized that the intake of energy-rich substrates may have a positive influence on labour progression. Further study on the subject seems indicated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Leyenburg Hospital, The Hague, The Netherlands. sies@worldonline.nl
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Scheepers
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Essed
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brouns
mesh_terms: D004326:Drinking; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D008880:Midwifery; D009426:Netherlands; D009774:Obstetrics; D011247:Pregnancy