Implications for practice and research

• Women who chew gum for 30–60 min at least three times a day will have a quicker return of bowel function as quantified by the time to first flatus, time to first bowel sounds, time to first bowel movement and the incidence of postoperative ileus after delivery by caesarean section.

• Several meta-analyses have now highlighted the beneficial effect of chewing gum following caesarean section, therefore the recommendation for chewing should be included in postcaesarean section clinical guidelines.

Context

Abdominal surgery, including caesarean section, is associated with impairment of the gastrointestinal function. This …