Wafaa Taha Ibrahim Elgzar^1,, Violet Nicola Ghattas¹

Background: The rate of CS is surged high in Egypt at 2014. Ileus is the most common CS complication. It may become serious enough to alter women post CS accommodation; delay wound healing and increase hospital stay. Aim: to investigate the effect of non-sugared gum chewing with early ambulation versus early ambulation only on recovery of bowel function after elective cesarean section. Research design: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting: Damanhour educational institution affiliated to ministry of health at Elbehira governorate Egypt. Participants: A systematic random sample of 100 woman undergoing elective cesarean section. Tools: Three tools were used for data collection: Structured Interviewing Schedule, Pre and intra-operative assessment sheet, bowel functions assessment sheet. Results: The study results shows statistically significant improvement in all bowel functions among intervention group compared to control. Where, The mean time hours to the first bowel sound (3.90±0.893 compared to 5.34±0.939), onset of gas passage (6.78±0.996 compared to 7.06±1.105), feeling of hunger time (7.98±1.134 compared to 9.40±1.212), begins oral fluids (3.98±0.775 compared to 5.78±0.996), feeding time (10.16±0.817 compared to 11.92±1.712), onset of defecation (12.180±1.240 compared to 14.48±1.403) were significantly shorter in the non-sugared gum chewing with early ambulation group than early ambulation only. Furthermore, abdominal distention and nausea are significantly higher among control group than intervention. Conclusion: Non-sugared gum chewing with early ambulation significantly enhance regain of all bowel functions post CS than early ambulation only. In addition, abdominal distention and nausea were significantly higher in non-sugared gum chewing with early ambulation group than early ambulation only. Recommendations: Non-sugared gum chewing could be added to post cesarean care protocols.

bowel function, cesarean section, non-sugared gums chewing