Effect of Immediate versus Early Oral Hydration on Caesarean Section Postoperative Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: caesarean sections performed every year are increasing in number dramatically all over the world. So, it became very important to give more attention for their postoperative care. Aim of the Work: to evaluate the effect of immediate oral hydration initiated within 2 hours after uncomplicated caesarean section on the following post-operative outcomes: post-operative vomiting and abdominal distention, post-operative nausea and abdominal pain, the return of intestinal movements, duration of intravenous fluid administration, duration of hospital stay and participant satisfaction. Patients and Methods: this randomized controlled study was conducted at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital. It was carried during the period from July 2016 to July 2017. 140 women, all of them underwent uncomplicated cesarean section under regional anesthesia were randomly assigned into two groups. In the immediate group: oral hydration was received in the first 2 hours postoperatively, and in the early group: oral hydration was received after 8 hours postoperatively. Results: all the results of the postoperative outcomes of both groups had non-significant differences except for the psychological satisfaction which was significantly higher in the immediate group with a (p<0.001). Conclusion: immediate oral hydration group showed non-significant differences comparing with early oral hydration group regarding most of the postoperative outcomes, but the results were relatively better towards the immediate group. Also, immediate hydration is significantly better than early hydration regarding psychological satisfaction of women, allowing them to be more able to breastfeed their kids and to spend a less stressful time in the hospital.