Stifled fart after childbirth? Here are some tips to relieve abdominal distension after surgery!

"Doctor, it's been a day since my surgery and I still haven't passed gas. My stomach is very bloated. What should I do? I hope it won't be blocked forever?" This is the most common question asked by mothers after cesarean section in the obstetrics ward of Hunan Want Want Hospital . Today, let's learn how to help these mothers recover intestinal function as soon as possible.

Popular Science Knowledge

1. Why do we need to pass gas after cesarean section?

After cesarean section, mothers may experience abdominal distension due to weakened intestinal motility. It usually takes 24-48 hours for intestinal function to gradually recover. Anal gas (also known as farting) is a sign of the recovery of intestinal motility. Eating semi-liquid food or normal food after "farting" can greatly reduce gastrointestinal discomfort caused by eating.

2. How to relieve abdominal distension and quickly pass gas after cesarean section?

1. Get out of bed and move around as soon as possible

Six hours after cesarean section, the mother should first lie in a semi-recumbent position or start to move in bed appropriately. Then, according to her own situation, with the help of her family, she can stand for a while or take a few steps lightly, 3 to 4 times a day, which is conducive to exhaust and can also prevent intestinal adhesion.

If you experience symptoms of low blood pressure such as "blackness in front of your eyes" or "dizziness" when you first get out of bed, you can rest in bed for a while, and then slowly get out of bed and move around with the help of your family. If you are not physically fit, you can first choose to move around in bed, such as turning over more often.

2. Proper diet after surgery

After cesarean section, women should not drink water for 4 hours and eat for 6 hours. They can slowly drink warm water for 4 hours after the operation. However, since the operation has just ended and the anesthetic effect has not completely disappeared, it is easy to choke and cough. It is recommended to swallow in small sips instead of large gulps. If the anus has not been exhausted for 6 hours after the operation, try to eat a small amount of liquid food such as radish and pork ribs soup without oil and residue, rice soup, etc.

After the anus is exhausted, the diet should start from liquid to semi-liquid diet, and gradually transition from soft food to normal food. Eat small meals frequently, and avoid eating foods that are easy to cause bloating and difficult to digest, such as sweets, soy milk and dairy products, greasy and difficult to digest foods, etc.

3. Gently massage your abdomen

You can use your palms to massage the abdomen of the parturient in a clockwise direction to promote intestinal peristalsis and gas discharge. Massage once every 2 to 3 hours, 10 to 20 minutes each time, and adjust appropriately according to personal circumstances. Keep warm during and after massage to avoid cold to prevent abdominal distension or abdominal pain. Use moderate strength during massage to avoid pulling on the surgical incision.

4. Chew gum in moderation

Research data shows that women who start chewing gum 2 hours after cesarean section pass gas for the first time about 23 hours after surgery, which is 6.5 hours earlier than women who do not chew gum. This shows that chewing gum can promote gastrointestinal function recovery to a certain extent.

But please note the following two points:

① Do not chew gum excessively, because chewing gum contains polyols such as xylitol, which may cause abdominal pain, bloating, and even diarrhea, so stop immediately if any discomfort occurs.

② Due to the influence of bed rest after surgery, be careful to prevent chewing gum from being inhaled into the trachea.

5. Improvement of related drugs

Mothers who have not passed gas for a long time and have abdominal distension can take oral drugs to promote intestinal peristalsis under the guidance of a doctor to improve abdominal distension.

Warm reminder from the obstetrics department of Hunan Want Want Hospital: Postoperative intestinal obstruction is often manifested by abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and inability to pass gas or defecate. Therefore, if the mother still has not passed gas, has severe abdominal distension, or abdominal pain after 48 hours, she should inform the doctor so that the cause can be accurately determined and appropriate treatment measures can be taken to ensure that recovery is not affected.

References: An Libin, Lu Hong. Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing. People's Medical Publishing House

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Jiang Lang, Ward 6, Hunan Want Want Hospital

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(Edited by Wx)