Oral Feeding after Cesarean Section

Objective: To compare the return of bowel movements in spinally anesthetized women undergoing cesarean section (LSCS) given Early Oral Feeding (EF) versus women given Late Oral Feeding (LF). Secondary outcomes of maternal satisfaction and gastrointestinal complications also examined.

Methods: In a prospective randomized controlled trial, 362 singleton pregnant women undergoing elective LSCS with spinal anesthesia were assigned to receive either EF or LF. Participants began to take normal diet between immediately and 6 hours or began sipping water after 12 hours and soft diet after 24 hours then normal diet after 48 hours of operation.

Results: Participants were183 women in the EF group and 179 in the LF group. The ages of participants ranged from 19 to 47, with a mean of 35 years. There was no-loss follow up and no significant difference in patient characteristics. Participants given EF were more likely to experience bowel sound the next morning than patients given LF (EF 93%, LF 71%, P 0.032). However, there was no difference in time to passing flatus and time to passing stool. Maternal satisfaction was significantly higher in the EF group (EF 5, LF 2.1±1.1, P 0.026). There was no difference in gastrointestinal complications between the groups (P 0.786).

Conclusion: These trial findings support the recommendation of EF for women who undergo uncomplicated LSCS under Spinal anesthesia.