Factors affecting gastrointestinal function after cesarean section among Chinese mothers: A cross-sectional study

Aim: This study was conducted to learn about the influencing factors of gastrointestinal function after cesarean section (C-section), which could provide a reference for the Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) in Obstetrics. Methods This is a cross-sectional survey on Chinese mothers receiving C-section. The participants’s socio-demographic characteristics, perioperative diet, medical condition and gastrointestinal function after surgery were collected by a self-designed questionnaire. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to explore the influencing factors of gastrointestinal function after C-section. Results A total of 1501 (94.76%) valid questionnaires were collected. The first borborygmus was 2.21 ± 0.63 hours, and the first anal exhaust was 35.73 ± 14.85 hours after the C-section. The incidence of abdominal distension and intestinal obstruction were 15.1% and 0.7%, respectively. The two-hours bleeding after surgery, time of first meal after surgery, whether performing sacrococcygeal physical therapy and taking peppermint water after surgery were the independent protective factors for gastrointestinal function recovery after C-section. Conclusion The new mothers with C-section should be encouraged to eat early, perform sacrococcygeal physical therapy and take peppermint water to promote intestinal peristalsis actively.