This family was prepared! Healthy Whole Grain Muffins straight from the oven, cooling on the counter!
But what is this about not be allowed to eat in labor? Robin Elise Weiss, at About.com does a lovely job of explaining the history of why hospitals restrict eating during childbirth.
It is clear that the approach of restricted food and drink is based on the assumption that all laboring women might end up in the operating room giving birth by cesarean section,
under general anesthesia.
Robin's article also points out very well that women often experience the benefits of being allowed to eat and drink as desired...