Background: Cesarean section delivery is the most common surgery which associated with
postoperative decreased bowel movements. Gum chewing stimulates bowel motility and
decrease duration of postoperative ileus. Aim of the study: The aim of the current study was
to evaluate the effect of gum chewing on resumption of bowel functions and reducing ileus
after cesarean section delivery. Subjects & methods: Research design: A Quasiexperimental
design was adopted in the current study. Setting: The study was conducted at
the postpartum unit in Benha University Hospital during the period from September 2013 to
February 2014. Subjects: A convenience sample including 218 mothers was divided into two
groups study group (n= 112) and control group (n= 106). Tools of data collection: Two tools
were used for data collection, interviewing schedule sheet and bowel function examination
sheet. The study group chewing sugar free gum and the control group received ordinary
nursing care. Results of the study showed highly statistically significant differences in the time
of resumption of bowel function and symptoms of postoperative ileus between the groups
understudy (p < 0.000), which were significantly shorter in the gum-chewing group compared to
those of the control group. Conclusion; bowel motility after cesarean section was early return
by gum chewing which is an inexpensive, convenient, safe, effective, physiologically based
intervention and well-tolerated method for mothers in post-cesarean section.
Recommendations: Chewing gum after cesarean section is recommended to be
disseminated to maternity hospitals protocols and added into nursing curriculum.