Gum chewing and bowel function after Caesarean section under spinal anesthesia

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of gum chewing on bowel function postoperatively in women after cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. METHODS: This semi-experimental study was conducted at Near East University Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus with 45 women in both the +experimental and control groups, between October 2016 and June 2017. The women in the experimental group chewed gum two hours after surgery until gut sounds were heard and nutrition was given orally. RESULTS: The mean age of the women was 30.20 ± 4.88 in the experimental group and 30.85 ± 4.47 in the control group. In the control group, the mean time of flatulation was 26.33 ± 7.54 hours, whereas the mean time was 13.44 ± 6.56 hours in the experimental group. The mean duration to the hearing of intestinal sounds was 16.35 ± 5.20 hours in the control group and 12.62 ± 7.73 hours in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that sugar free gum chewing in the post-operative period which is cesarean section under spinal anesthesia shortened the duration of the intestinal movement, the time of first flatulation, and discharge time.