“Instead of labor and delivery being a jail where you can’t eat or drink unless somebody gives you permission, this new study shows that it’s not dangerous.”(WRAL-TV)

A review released by the Cochrane Collaboration disputes the traditional practice of restricting food and liquid intake for women giving birth.

But this new finding has sparked conflicting reactions from the medical field.

We’re examining views from WRAL-TV, The Cochrane Collaboration, CBS, FOX News and The New York Times.

On a Cochrane Collaboration podcast, Gill Gyte says the choice to eat and drink during labor should be a woman’s – not her physician’s.

“The people who did the studies were seeking to answer the question of whether it’s safe for women in labor to eat and drink. But we asked the question the other way around. (FLASH) We found no evidence that it is for women at low risk of complications.”

Despite the results, The New York Times reports many anesthesiologists are critical of the review.

A representative of the American Society of Anesthesiologists tells the Times the study wasn’t large enough to evaluate the impact of eating on risks during general anesthesia.

 “’From an anesthesiologist’s perspective, they missed the boat on this one. …They looked at the impact on the progression of labor, but to be honest, that’s not an issue for anesthesiologists. Our primary concern is patient safety.’”

Fox News medical contributor Dr. Marc Siegel discusses patient safety, warning that eating during labor can be dangerous, particularly if an emergency C-section is needed.

“I’ll tell you what the problem with eating during labor is. If you do eat and they end up having to do general anesthesia, you’re in trouble. So just drink. Drinking is fine.”

But on The Early Show, Dr. Holly Phillips agreed with the Cochrane review and added to it. She says women can consume solid food and liquids while in labor, but that these should be restricted to clear liquids and easily dissolvable foods – and only at the consent of a physician.

“Really, we’re talking about small amounts of foods. Now, The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists has recently loosened some of their previous recommendations. They’re allowing clear liquids. So that would be sports drinks, things like water and fruit juice, and some doctors allow some solid foods. Now, if your doctor does allow solid foods, some good options would be some things we have here: It would be broth, toast, popsicles, applesauce and Jell-O. These are all things that can really be digested easily.”

So do you think the Cochrane review is valid? Or should women in labor steer clear from solid foods, liquids or both?

Writer: Victoria Uwumarogie

Producer: Charlie McKeague