Ingestão de alimentos, suplementos e bebidas durante o trabalho de parto de risco habitual: uma revisão de escopo

Abstract

Introduction: In the 1940s, dietary restriction during labor was common due to the risk of stomach content aspiration. However, widespread food restriction is now being discontinued, and oral intake during routine labor is encouraged. Objective: To map evidence regarding the effects of food, supplements, and beverages consumption in women experiencing routine labor. Method: Initially, a protocol for a scoping review was developed and registered on the Open Science Framework (OSF). This review followed the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR methodology. The research question was: “What are the effects of food, dietary supplements, and beverages intake during routine labor and childbirth?” The review involved searching various databases, including Cochrane Library, Medline/PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and BDTD. Studies from 2013 to 2023 were included. Two independent reviewers selected articles based on inclusion/exclusion criteria using the Rayyan® software. A tool developed by the authors was used for data extraction and methodological analysis of the included articles. The results were presented using the PRISMA flowchart extension. Results: The scoping review protocol was submitted to the journal PLOS ONE (Qualis A1). Initially, 2,936 studies were identified through the search, and after applying eligibility criteria, 130 studies were read in full. Of these, 22 studies were included in the review, with most publications in English. The analysis revealed that most studies did not provide detailed information on food, supplement, or beverage intake—such as frequency and quantity. Additionally, they did not report isolated effects on labor outcomes but generally discussed the effects of food and liquid intake. The included studies assessed various outcomes, including reduced induction rates, shorter labor duration, type of delivery, incidence of vomiting or nausea, and maternal satisfaction. There was no consensus among the analyzed studies regarding carbohydrate supplement intake. Dates were the most frequently mentioned and studied food, showing relevant results in reducing induction rates and labor duration. Conclusion: This review identified positive effects of food, dietary supplements, and beverage intake during labor, including reduced need for induction, shorter labor duration, and increased maternal satisfaction. Given these benefits, this practice should be further encouraged in obstetric services and communicated to pregnant women. Finally, there is a need for clinical trials that specifically analyze the effects of food, supplements, and beverages on labor outcomes.