Editing Childbirth (section)

===Preparation===
Eating or drinking during labour is an area of ongoing debate. While some have argued that eating in labour has no harmful effects on outcomes,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Tranmer JE, Hodnett ED, Hannah ME, Stevens BJ | title = The effect of unrestricted oral carbohydrate intake on labor progress | journal = Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing | volume = 34 | issue = 3 | pages = 319–28 | year = 2005 | pmid = 15890830 | doi = 10.1177/0884217505276155 }}</ref> others continue to have concern regarding the increased possibility of an aspiration event (choking on recently eaten foods) in the event of an emergency delivery due to the increased relaxation of the [[Esophagus|oesophagus]] in pregnancy, upward pressure of the uterus on the stomach, and the possibility of [[general anaesthetic]] in the event of an emergency cesarean.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = O'Sullivan G, Scrutton M | title = NPO during labor. Is there any scientific validation? | journal = Anesthesiology Clinics of North America | volume = 21 | issue = 1 | pages = 87–98 | date = March 2003 | pmid = 12698834 | doi = 10.1016/S0889-8537(02)00029-9 }}</ref> However with good obstetrical anaesthesia there is no additional harm from allowing eating and drinking during labour in those who are unlikely to need surgery. Additionally, not eating does not necessarily mean that the mother's stomach is empty or that its contents are not as acidic.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Singata M, Tranmer J, Gyte GM | title = Restricting oral fluid and food intake during labour | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 8 | issue = 8 | pages = CD003930 | date = August 2013 | pmid = 23966209 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD003930.pub3 | editor1-last = Singata | access-date = 22 August 2013 | url = http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD003930/eating-and-drinking-in-labour | editor1-first = Mandisa | others = Pregnancy and Childbirth Group | pmc = 4175539 | archive-date = 7 July 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140707225132/http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD003930/eating-and-drinking-in-labour | url-status = live }}</ref>

At one time shaving of the [[perineum|area around the vagina]], was common practice due to the belief that hair removal reduced the risk of infection, made an [[episiotomy]] (a surgical cut to enlarge the vaginal entrance) easier, and helped with instrumental deliveries. It is currently less common, though it is still a routine procedure in some countries even though there is no scientific evidence to recommend shaving.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Basevi V, Lavender T | title = Routine perineal shaving on admission in labour | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | issue = 11 | pages = CD001236 | date = November 2014 | volume = 2014 | pmid = 25398160 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD001236.pub2 | pmc = 7076285 }}</ref> Side effects appear later, including irritation, redness, and multiple superficial scratches from the razor. Another effort to prevent infection has been the use of the antiseptic [[chlorhexidine]] or [[providone-iodine solution]] in the vagina. However it is unclear if chlorhexidine offers any benefits in preventing infections.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Lumbiganon P, Thinkhamrop J, Thinkhamrop B, Tolosa JE | title = Vaginal chlorhexidine during labour for preventing maternal and neonatal infections (excluding Group B Streptococcal and HIV) | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2014 | issue = 9 | pages = CD004070 | date = September 2014 | pmid = 25218725 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD004070.pub3 | pmc = 7104295 }}</ref> Providone-iodine decreases the risk of infection when a cesarean section is to be performed.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Haas|first1=David M.|last2=Morgan|first2=Sarah|last3=Contreras|first3=Karenrose|last4=Kimball|first4=Savannah|date=26 April 2020|title=Vaginal preparation with antiseptic solution before cesarean section for preventing postoperative infections|journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|volume=2020| issue=4 |pages=CD007892|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD007892.pub7|issn=1469-493X|pmc=7195184|pmid=32335895}}</ref>