Today, Lamaze International releases their newest infographic 'No Food, No Drink During Labor? NO WAY!' This useful infographic is available on both the Lamaze International for Professionals website and the Lamaze Parents website. The most recent Listening to Mothers III survey indicated that 60% of women did not drink and 80% did not eat during labor! (DeClercq, 2013) The common practice of restricting food and drink for laboring women is outdated and not supported by evidence. Unfortunately, most laboring women still face resistance from health care providers and facilities when they desire to eat or drink during their labor.

Lamaze International is hosting a Twitter Chat today, July 22nd, 2014 at 9 PM EST. Professionals and parents are invited to participate in this live Twitter discussion moderated by Kathryn Konrad, MS, RNC-OB, LCCE, FACCE (@KkonradLCCE) and Robin Weiss, PhDc, MPH, CPH, CD(DONA), CLC, LCCE, Lamaze International's President Elect. Tonight's topic is 'Restrictions in Labor' including this infographic on eating and drinking along with last month's infographic on moving in labor ('We Like To Move It, Move It!') Follow the hashtag #LamazeChat. New to participating in a Twitter chat? Check out this article for information on how to participate and get the most out of your experience.

Lamaze International's Healthy Birth Practices, first released in 2009, discussed in great length the benefits to moving and changing position in labor in the 2nd Healthy Birth Practice: 'Walk, Move Around and Change Positions Throughout Labor' as well as the risks to restricting food and drink in the 4th Healthy Birth Practice: 'Avoid Interventions That Are Not Medically Necessary.'

These useful infographics complement the Healthy Birth Practices, are easy to share on social media and can be used in the classroom as a poster to help parents to understand how to have the safest and healthiest birth possible.

Won't you take a moment to check out this newest infographic and share with the expectant families that you work with! Consider sharing it on your favorite social media outlet (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram) and making it available in your classrooms!

If you have an interesting way you are using these infographics, or would like to just share your thoughts on the infographic topics, please let us know in the comments section. I would love to hear how you use this info in your practice.

Click here to download the newest infographic 'No Food, No Drink During Labor? NO WAY!'

You may access all the infographics available here!

References

Declercq, E. R., Sakala, C., Corry, M. P., Applebaum, S., & Herrlich, A. (2013). Listening to mothers III: Pregnancy and birth. New York, NY: Childbirth Connection.

Published: July 21, 2014

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