• NPO for at least 6 hrs. No solid food for at least 8 hrs.

• May be ordered as: "Diet per routine L & D protocol"
• All patients being evaluated on L & D should be NPO until status clarified and management plan established.
• Once a patient is in labor with regular uterine contractions, only clear liquids should be given (including patients being induced).
• Uncomplicated patients may have clear liquids throughout labor.
• All high-risk patients should be NPO once in active labor (4 cm with progressive cervical dilation), including:
• placenta previa
• placental abruption
• trial of labor for VBAC
• pre-eclampsia
• abnormal presentation or position
• multiple gestation
• fetal distress
• In addition, all patients in whom there seems to be a high likelihood of C/Section (e.g. failure to progress), should be NPO.

Note: Popsicles and ice chips are considered to be clear liquids. Mouth swabs and rinsing (without swallowing) are acceptable for NPO patients.