Early versus Conventional Feeding and Onset of Lactation in Emergency Cesarean Parturient Mothers

Abstract

Objectives: To study the onset of lactation between early and conventional feeding in emergency cesarean parturient mothers.Materials and Methods: Emergency cesarean parturient mothers under spinal block with intrathecal morphine were randomized into two groups. The early feeding group received clear liquid diet 200 milliliter at 6 hours postoperation and then stepped diet as tolerate. The conventional group took a sip of water at 24 hours postoperation then stepped to liquid, soft and regular diet. All participants were informed about signs and symptoms of maternal perception of onset of lactation that consisted of breast fullness, breast tingling and milk leakage. Then they had to record timing if she had any one of signs and symptoms of onset of lactation. Results: Two hundred and thirty-eight participants were participated in the study, 119 in each group. The onset of lactation was 30.1 ± 12.9 hours and 46.3 ± 10.8 hours in early feeding and conventional feeding group, respectively (p < 0.01). Only mild symptoms of bowel ileus were found in both groups.Conclusion: Early feeding in emergency cesarean parturient mothers had a significant earlier onset of lactation when compare with conventional feeding without serious adverse gastrointestinal complications.

Keywords

• Onset of lactation
• emergency cesarean section
• early feeding