Background & aim: Early feeding after cesarean section can have beneficial effects, however, no sufficient study has been conducted in this area. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of early feeding on the gastrointestinal complications in women after cesarean section and comparing it with a regular diet.

Methods: The present randomized-clinical-trial study was conducted on 160 women who admitted to Shohada hospital and underwent cesarean section in 2011-2012. The inclusion criteria included women with gestational age more than 37 weeks, singleton pregnancy, having at least 8 hours of fasting, and regional anesthesia (spinal cord), respectively. After registration of demographic characteristics and pregnancy, women were randomly divided into two groups: Early feeding (2 hours after completion of the operation, 250 ml filtered juice, tea and biscuits style regime in the next 2 hours and 2 hours after the usual diet) and the usual power (8 hours of operation clear liquid diet the day after the usual diet) groups. Presence of gastrointestinal symptoms in 2, 4, 8 and 12 hours after surgery, time to the bowel sounds auscultation, passage of flatus and stool were recorded. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version13.The significance level of p-value was considered <0.05.

Results: The prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal distension, feeling of flatulence and abdominal cramp) was significantly higher at 2 and 4 hours after operation and in early feeding group and after 8 hrs. in surgery of normal diet respectively(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in symptoms between the two groups observed 12 hours after surgery (05/0 p <). The bowel sounds auscultation and passage of flatus were recorded earlier in early feeding group (P=0.001), while the recorded time for passage of stool was not different between the two groups (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Early feeding caused the acceleration of gastrointestinal symptoms, earlier bowel sounds auscultation and earlier utilization of gas. It is recommended to investigate the different diets and examined the level of compliance and satisfaction.