Assessment of Different Regiments of Early Oral Feeding in Comparison to Delayed Feeding After Elective Uncomplicated Cesarean Section: A Randomized Control Trial

Abstract

Aim: Starting oral feeding after caesarian section enhances bowel function return, patient's ambulation, and patient recovery. We aimed to evaluate effectiveness of two different approaches of early oral feeding following section on gastrointestinal function, and patient satisfaction. Materials and Methods: In this randomized control study, 300 pregnant women with elective uncomplicated cesarean section done from October 2019 to March 2020 at Cairo University teaching hospital with were randomly allocated into three feeding groups.Results: Significant differences were noticed in patients' satisfaction and time interval to return of gastrointestinal function, ambulation, regular diet, and hospital stay between the three groups and 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 apart from vomiting found to be higher in the early feeding groups, but the cases were mild and easily treatable. Conclusion: Early oral feeding reduces the time needed for normal bowel function return and increases satisfaction of the patients with no detrimental significant effects on the gastrointestinal complication.