Early oral feeding after cesarean delivery.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the gastrointestinal function and patient acceptability of early initiation of oral feeding after cesarean delivery.


METHODS
Two hundred twenty-one healthy women delivered by cesarean were assigned in an alternating manner to receive either a high-protein, low-residue pudding initiated within 6 hours of delivery and given every 6 hours thereafter (n = 108), or a standard postoperative diet, consisting of sips of water 12 hours after surgery and a liquid diet permitted only after bowel sounds returned and flatus passed (n = 113).


RESULTS
Compared with the control group, the early-feeding group had a shorter mean (+/- standard deviation) duration of intravenous fluid administration, 18.6 +/- 6.3 versus 30.5 +/- 8.1 hours (P < .001); more rapid return to regular oral diet, 26.8 +/- 6.3 versus 39.7 +/- 8.8 hours (P < .001); and a shorter time to first bowel movement, 30.0 +/- 10.0 versus 43.3 +/- 11.7 hours (P < .001). There was no significant increase in gastrointestinal morbidity: 17.4 versus 15.6%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Early feeding after cesarean delivery was well tolerated and was associated with a more rapid return to a normal diet. This approach may facilitate early hospital discharge.
Soriano
D
D
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
Dulitzki
M
M
Keidar
N
N
Barkai
G
G
Mashiach
S
S
Seidman
D S
DS
D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors