Eat and drink is something that a lot of people argue about. It's generally safe if you have a simple vaginal delivery. The reason so many doctors, and especially anesthesiologists, who give you anesthesia, epidurals etc are concerned about you eating is because if you have to have an emergency section and have to go under anesthesia, you should generally go to sleep, then there is a risk that you can actually vomit up the food that you just ate and it could go down into your lungs and cause something called aspiration, which can actually kill you or cause severe lung damage. But if you have an uncomplicated delivery, especially if it like your second or third child, it's probably ok to have a light meal, drink and eat some once during labor.