Early refeeding after cesarean section in a private hospital in Maceió: impact on the health of the maternal-fetal binomial

Background: Gastrointestinal disorders, such as nausea, vomiting, distension, and dry mouth have negative impacts such as pain, difficulties in nutrition, and increased susceptibility to infections. Objective: To evaluate the impact of early refeeding on the return of gastrointestinal function in postpartum women after elective cesarean section. Methods: A prospective clinical trial was conducted from May to October 2022, with patients allocated to either the control group (following the standard refeeding protocol of the obstetrics service) or the intervention group (receiving an industrialized liquid preparation within 1 hour after surgery). Gastrointestinal aspects assessed included the presence of nausea/vomiting, flatus elimination within 24 hours, bowel movement within 48 hours, and sensation of dry mouth. Data analysis was performed using the Chi-square test and binary logistic regression adjusted for age and gestational age, with p-values < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: 132 postpartum women were included in the study, with 66 in each group. After logistic regression, early refeeding was found to be protective against nausea/vomiting (OR: 0.039; CI [95%] 0.005–0.302, p = 0.002) and dry mouth sensation (OR: 0.042; CI [95%] 0.009–0.185, p < 0.001), and improved flatus elimination within 24 hours (OR: 12.631; CI [95%] 4.783–33.356, p < 0.001) and bowel movement within 48 hours (OR: 7.733; CI [95%] 3.181–18.791, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Early refeeding promoted the return of gastrointestinal function in postpartum women after cesarean section, leading to improved clinical recovery and can be incorporated into the routine clinical care of obstetric services