I know the traditional recommendation was not to eat or drink during labor because of the risk of inhaling it into the lungs if you were to be under general anesthesia. However, I've read that since the anesthesia used is typically an epidural some doctors are moving away from that recommendation.

When DS was born 4 years ago, I remember asking my doctor about whether I could eat and drink while at the hospital and she said no but that I wouldn't want to anyways and could always eat before arriving at the hospital. I was Group B strep positive so I didn't have the option of laboring at home after my water broke (which did occur after a large meal). I remember being super uncomfortable that I couldn't drink or eat while in labor and I had a highly effective epidural so I wasn't vomiting or too nauseous to eat. I probably commented on it so many times that a nurse took pity on me and almost immediately brought me a ginger ale and a pre-packaged sandwich within 20 minutes of delivering.

I'm getting ready to start packing my hospital bag (and trying to decide whether to bother with snacks for me) and just wondering if people who have delivered more recently in a hospital setting were still discouraged from eating or drinking. Really hoping not! Need that energy (and considering sneaking some Larabars)!