The Effects of Early Oral Feeding Protocol on Postcesarean Gastrointestinal Functions

Abstract

Objective: To compare the gastrointestinal morbidity of early oral feeding protocol of water to soft diet in first twelve hours postoperation to the traditional 24 hours NPO.

Material and methods 181 postcesarean patients were random assigned to the study group of which will be served with water, liquid and soft diet at 2, 6 and 12 hours postoperation brespectively. 155 patients were assigned to control group of which progress of water to soft diet will be started 24 hours postoperation. Gastrointestinal functions and morbidity were compared.

Results There were no differences in gastrointestinal morbidity between both groups, while bowel sound and flatus were detected earlier significantly in study group. Average intravenous fluid and analgesic used were also lesser in study group than control group.

Conclusion Early oral feeding protocol after cesarean delivery was not increase gastrointestinal morbidity. Economic advantage also evident were, lesser used of intravenous fluid volume, amount of analgesia and duration of retaining Foley's catheter.