Epidural anesthesia helps faster stomach emptying during labour

Laboring women undergo severe pain and due to continuous contraction of the uterine wall several complications arise during labor. Physician anesthesiologists prefer that laboring women have an empty stomach because of the lower risk for aspiration (inhaling) of food in case general anesthesia for cesarean section becomes necessary.

 A study published Online First in Anesthesiology, the official peer-reviewed journal of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), finds "stomach emptying" is substantially slower during labor but somewhat faster in women who receive an epidural for pain control  to prevent further complications.

Results suggest anesthesiologists should remain cautious about permitting solid food during labor, especially when epidural analgesia is not used. The findings add new evidence for the ongoing debate as to whether it's safe for women to eat solid food during labor.