Practice and policies regarding oral intake during labour show large variations throughout the world. A liberal attitude seems to prevail in the UK, many European countries, and Australia, and some countries even allow solids during labour.9 Clear oral fluids are recommended during uncomplicated labour in the USA.24‘Nil per mouth’ policies are often challenged, particularly by midwives, and create the need of intravenous fluid administration. Maternal starvation may cause fetal acidosis, and several studies address the safety of glucose administration.25,26 Solutions containing glucose are usually hypotonic despite electrolyte addition, although near isotonic solutions have been used for study purposes.26