Absence of oral intake during labour: frequency and determinants in a national population-based study
Authors' conclusion
Women with sociodemographic vulnerabilities had reduced oral intake during labour.
Study context
- Population
- Labouring women in the 2021 French National Perinatal Survey
- Participants
- 10,192 women
- Outcome
- Frequency and determinants of absence of oral intake during labour
Methodological detailsnational population-based survey, multivariable analyses stratified by neuraxial analgesia
- National population-based survey
- Multivariable analyses stratified by neuraxial analgesia
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Oral intake during labour
No oral intake
41.0%
95% CI 40.0%–41.9%
Only drank
52.4%
51.4%–53.4%
Ate
6.6%
6.1%–7.1%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Factors associated with absence of oral intake (subgroup: neuraxial analgesia)
- Low education level
- 1.17, 1.01-1.35
- Sub-Saharan African origin
- 1.58, 1.19-2.09
- No dedicated maternity anaesthesiologist
- 1.46, 1.20-1.76
Factors associated with absence of oral intake (subgroup: no neuraxial analgesia)
- Maternal age <30 yr
- 1.47, 1.09-1.98
- Overweight
- 1.49, 1.09-2.03
- Multiparity
- 1.35, 1.00-1.85
Factors associated with absence of oral intake in both subgroups
- Prior Caesarean delivery, social deprivation, no close relative at birth, no room dedicated to physiologic birth, delivery in a private maternity unit
Original publication
Absence of oral intake during labour: frequency and determinants in a national population-based study. Br J Anaesth. Published 15 April 2026. doi:10.
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