Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Background: Recommendations regarding the ideal time to begin feeding after CS are not clearly established. Methods: In this clinical trial, 300 pregnant women who underwent elective cesarean section with regional anesthesia were randomly allocated into three feeding groups. In the first group, liquids were commenced 2{u2009}h and soft food 4 hours after surgery irrespective of intestinal sounds, in the second group, clear fluids were commenced 2 hours after surgery with arrest of soft food till the return of intestinal sounds, and in the third group,no oral feeding was commenced till passage of flatus. Main clinical outcomes included satisfaction of patient, time to return of normal bowel function and postoperative gastrointestinal complications.Objectives: To evaluate the effect of two different approaches of early oral feeding after cesarean section on gastrointestinal function and complications and patient satisfaction. Main results: Including 300 women who had undergone cesarean. Significant differences were identified in patients{u2019}satisfaction and time interval to return of gastrointestinal function,ambulation, return to regular diet, and time to be eligible for discharge between the three groups and also between the two groups of early feeding (P value < 0.05 for all) with highest satisfaction and shortest intervals noticed at introducing soft foods early irrespective of return of intestinal sounds (The first early feeding group). Non-significant differences noted concerning postoperative complications between the three groups or between the two groups of early feeding except that vomiting was found to be higher in the early feeding groups but the cases were mild and easily treatable

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