In a study recently published by BJOG (British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology), the researchers suggest that too much water consumption during labor can be very harmful. This study, performed in a hospital in Sweden, found that 26% of women who were given more than 2500ml (about 10 cups) of water during their labor developed Hyponatraemia, a condition where the woman has very low sodium levels in her blood. This can cause longer labors, more difficult births, increased use of medical interventions like forceps and cesarean sections, and possibly lead to hemmorage. The cited cause of these problems lies with the mothers' bodies having a reduced ability to digest and properly distribute water during labor. The study suggests that care providers prevent these possible complications by closely monitoring the intake of fluids orally and avoid giving fluids low in sodium content intravenously. Unfortnately, this possible complication could be much more easily avoided by refraining from intervening during normal childbirth.
At least 1/3 of the volume of fluids given to the pregnant women in the study were given intravenously, a supplementation that is not usually necessary during an uncomplicated natural labor. In addition to this, most laboring mothers in hospitals are not allowed to eat freely due to fear of aspiration, a possible problem that happens when a fully unconscious person throws up and then inhales the content. In the case of general anesthesia for an emergency cesarean, this problem can be life threatening. However, even in the event of an emergency surgical birth, it is likely that a spinal block will be used to anesthetize the mother, rather than general anesthesia, therefore even further reducing the risk for this complication. In many hospitals, the only nourishment laboring mothers are allowed to consume is clear fluids, and this study would have care providers restrict even that. Most women do not feel like eating during childbirth, but some do and often some nutrition is needed when a labor has been particularly long and difficult. Many midwives and natural minded physicians allow mothers to eat freely during labor, neither restricting nor mandating food consumption. Perhaps if laboring mothers were allowed to follow their own hunger cues during labor and not given unnecessary IV fluids, the sodium imbalance that this study talks about would not occur, an aspect not even mentioned in the study or subsequent news articles written about it. As the frequency of medical interventions used during hospital births continues to rise, placing even greater restrictions on a laboring mothers' freedom seems to be the answer to every problem. Sadly, this is often increases the likelihood that complications will arise.
For the complete study and results straight from the horses mouth, go here.
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