What If You Eat During Labor and Need a C-Section… and Die?
That escalated quickly, didn’t it? But that’s exactly how fear-based maternity care often works—by jumping to the worst-case scenario to justify outdated hospital policies. One of the most common examples? The restriction on eating and drinking during labor.
In many hospitals across the United States, women are told they cannot eat or drink once they’re admitted in labor. Why? "Just in case" they need an emergency C-section. "What if" general anesthesia is required? "What if" they aspirate? "What if" they die?
Let’s be honest: yes, aspiration during general anesthesia has happened. And yes, in rare and tragic cases, it has led to death. That risk is real—but it is also extremely rare. It should not be dismissed, but it also shouldn’t be exaggerated to justify controlling every woman in labor as though she’s the rare exception.
Here’s what else is true:
The vast majority of C-sections in the U.S. are done under regional anesthesia (epidurals or spinal blocks), not general anesthesia. Women are awake and breathing on their own.
The risk of aspiration is less than 1 in 10,000 births.
Many international guidelines recommend allowing light eating and drinking during labor, especially in low-risk pregnancies.
In fact, in many countries around the world, eating and drinking in labor is encouraged. Why? Because labor is a demanding physical event. It burns energy, taxes the body, and can last for many hours. You wouldn’t ask someone to run a marathon without water or snacks. So why is it acceptable to ask that of a woman giving birth?
So much of modern maternity care in the U.S. is shaped by fear and liability rather than by evidence or respect for women’s autonomy. The assumption is that if a policy can prevent one rare bad outcome, then it’s worth applying universally—even if it undermines a woman’s well-being or slows her labor.
But living in fear of “what if” doesn’t serve women. If we let every decision be ruled by fear, we’d never drive a car, fly on a plane, or have a baby in the first place.
Women deserve care based on facts—not fear.
For a deep dive into the actual research on eating and drinking in labor, read this article by Evidence Based Birth.
Let’s stop treating every woman in labor like a lawsuit waiting to happen. Let’s start trusting her to make informed decisions about her body, her labor, and her health.
If this fired you up, you’re not alone. Check out my viral reel that got over 3 million other people hot and bothered as well. Send me a message—I'm always here to chat. And if you want support writing a birth plan and a postpartum plan that reflects your voice, your values, and your vision, check out my top tips here.
Let’s move maternity care out of the dark ages and into the light of evidence-based, woman-centered support.
