The Effect of Early Oral Feeding on Post-Caesarean Pain, Wound Infection and Hospital Stay

Background: Caesarean section is among the most prevalent gynecological operations performed on females. In the standard techniques, the cases are restricted by the surgeon from drinking and eating until the existence of bowel sounds or the passage of flatus following a caesarean section operation. Aim: To examine the impact of early oral feeding on pain following caesarean, infection of the wound, and duration of hospitalization. Patients and methods: This randomized clinical study has been performed on females with recurrent cesarean sections who were hospitalized in the hospital's obstetric ward for a cesarean section. The sample comprised 200 multiparous pregnant females, including 100 females in group 1 and 100 females in group 2. The randomized controlled investigation was conducted at Al Zahraa University Hospital from February 2023 to January 2024. Results: There was increase wound infection in group 2 than group 1, but insignificant variance with p-value under 0.05. There was highly statistically significant highest mean value of passed hrs. in group 2 compared to group1, pain score for threshold in group2 compared to group1. As well as a highly statistically significant highest mean value of hospital stay “hrs.” in group2 compared to group1. Conclusion: On the basis of current study, early oral feeding following uncomplicated cesarean section had reduced mean time interval to bowel movement and improve return of bowel function and maternal satisfaction e shorter passed hours, lower pain score, shorter hospital stays and lower rates of wound infection.