Immediate versus on-demand oral feeding after emergency caesarean delivery in labour

ISRCTN ISRCTN12380398
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN12380398
Secondary identifying numbers 2021827-10517
Submission date
01/10/2021
Registration date
04/10/2021
Last edited
16/02/2024
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims
Early food and drink intake after a Caesarean section has positive benefits on early recovery with no complications. The aim of this study is to find out whether immediate feeding or on-demand feeding improves patient satisfaction and to see the overall characteristics of patients' recovery after surgery. This is an important area for future improvement in the management of Caesarean delivery.

Who can participate?
Pregnant women aged 18 – 45 years in labour with no serious medical illnesses who undergo an emergency Caesarean section without complications and no known risk for immediate repeated surgery

What does the study involve?
The participants will be given a sandwich meal and 250 ml drink of their choice upon returning from the operation theatre after delivery, either immediately or on-demand. The postoperative course and maternal satisfaction are assessed before hospital discharge.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There may or may not be any benefits to participants. Information obtained from this study will help improve standard practice for women undergoing emergency Caesarean section. Early oral intake after surgery is expected to be safe as the guidelines encourage it and based on a recent study the risk of vomiting is low. Patients will be assessed from time to time and allowed for repeated meals and drinks. Patients may have a higher risk of vomiting; those patients will be monitored and medication to prevent and stop vomiting will be given accordingly.

Where is the study run from?
University of Malaya Medical Center (Malaysia)

When is the study starting and how long it is expected to run for?
July 2021 to January 2023

Who is funding the study?
University of Malaya Medical Center (Malaysia)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Nurulhuda binti Ahmad Sani
huda.sani@ummc.edu.my

Contact information

Dr Nurulhuda binti Ahmad Sani
Scientific

University of Malaya Medical Centre, UMMC
Jalan Profesor Diraja Ungku Aziz
Kuala Lumpur
59100
Malaysia

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-5340-2201
Phone +60 (0)3 79492049
Email huda.sani@ummc.edu.my
Dr Jesrine Hong
Scientific

University of Malaya Medical Centre, UMMC
Jalan Profesor Diraja Ungku Aziz
Kuala Lumpur
59100
Malaysia

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0001-8585-2357
Phone +60 (0)3 79492049
Email jesrine@um.edu.my
Dr Asmahani Asmary
Scientific

University of Malaya Medical Centre
UMMC
Jalan Profesor Diraja Ungku Aziz
Kuala Lumpur
59100
Malaysia

Phone +60 (0)3 79492049
Email asmahani.as@ummc.edu.my

Study information

Study designSingle-centre open-label randomized controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeOther
Participant information sheet https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G8IrflNQDErmGO8_Spv8BgJuzVNbCSIb/view?usp=sharing
Scientific titleImmediate versus on-demand maternal full feeding after unplanned caesarean section in labour: a randomised trial
Study acronymImFLUCS
Study hypothesisImmediate feeding for women after an unplanned caesarean section will increase overall maternal satisfaction but will not increase vomiting.
Ethics approval(s)Approved 22/09/2021, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur – Medical Research Ethics Committee (UMMC-MREC, Lembah Pantai, 59100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; +60 (0)379493209; ummc-mrec@ummc.edu.my), ref: MREC ID No: 2021827-10517
ConditionMaternal recovery post unplanned caesarean delivery
InterventionThe study will be conducted in the labour suite and postnatal ward at UMMC. The potential participants will receive standard care during labour. Women who consented to participate and undergo emergency caesarean section will be given a sandwich meal and 250 ml drink of their choice upon returning from operation theatre after delivery, either immediately or on-demand.

Participants will be randomised into two arms (1:1) via labelled opaque envelopes. Randomisation will be generated by a random sequence generator, provided by random.org. to avoid bias, in blocks of 4 and 8.

At this point sealed envelope (intention to treat) which reveals their allocated oral feeding plan, either immediate full feeding or on-demand feeding. The lowest number of the sealed envelope will be taken.

A: Sandwich meal and 250 ml drink of their choice given as soon as possible upon returning to labour suite or postnatal ward while the regional anaesthesia still in action. They should consume as much as they can.
B: Sandwich meal and 250 ml drink of their choice served on demand. They should consume as much as they can.

Post-operative outcomes and maternal satisfaction will be collected prior to discharge.
Intervention typeBehavioural
Primary outcome measureCurrent primary outcome measure as of 18/10/2021:
1. Overall maternal satisfaction with the given oral feeding regimen measured using a numerical rating score (VNRS) 0-10 (higher score = higher satisfaction) prior to hospital discharge
2. Vomiting rate in the first 24 hours post-operative collected from patient's vomiting diary prior to discharge

Previous primary outcome measure:
1. Overall maternal satisfaction with the given oral feeding regimen measured using a 10 cm visual numerical rating score (VNRS) Score 0-10 (higher score higher satisfaction) prior to hospital discharge
2. Vomiting rate in the first 24 hours post-operative collected from patient's diary prior to discharge
Secondary outcome measuresCurrent secondary outcome measures as of 18/10/2021:
1. Time to first feed, measured by taking the time the participant starts taking orally
2. Food quantum consumed at first feed, quantified by a 6-point scale collected after the first feed
3. Fluid quantum consumed at first feed, quantified by a 6-point scale collected after the first feed
4. Pain, nausea and bloating measured using a horizontal visual numerical rating scale (VNRS, scored 0-10) to score the initial intensity of symptoms (low score, less intense symptom), at 30 minutes after first feed, 8, 16, 24 hours and after 24 hours postoperative up to hospital discharge
5. Opiate analgesia usage collected from hospital records (yes or no and frequency of usage) before discharge
6. Parenteral anti-emetic usage collected from hospital records (yes or no and frequency of usage) before discharge
8. First breastfeeding time collected at 4 - 48 hours post op review by asking the participant her time of first latching and satisfactory breastfeeding. The response taken from the participant on satisfactory breastfeeding is their own term of satisfaction
9. First bowel sound collected at 4 - 48 hours post-op review by auscultation of bowel sounds every 4 hours. The first bowel sound noticed will be recorded
10. First passage of flatus collected at 4 - 48 hours post op review by asking the participant the timing and date
11. Second mealtime collected at 4 - 48 hours post op review by asking the participant the timing and date
12. Cessation of IV fluid time collected from hospital record before discharge
13. Removal of urinary catheter (CBD) collected from hospital records before discharge (the timing and date)
14. First urination after CBD removal collected by asking the participant the timing and date at 4 - 48 hours post op review
15. Ambulation time collected from hospital records and by asking the participants the timing and date before discharge
16. Vomiting during the postoperative stay collected from the patient's diary before discharge (yes or no, frequency of vomiting)
17. Maternal complications collected from hospital records upon discharge

Previous secondary outcome measures:
1. Time to first feed, measured by taking the time the participant starts taking orally
2. Food quantum consumed at first feed, quantified by a 6-point scale collected after the first feed
3. Fluid quantum consumed at first feed, quantified by a 6-point scale collected after the first feed
4. Pain, nausea, vomiting and bloating measured using a diary to record symptoms with yes or no answer and a horizontal visual numerical rating scale (VNRS, scored 0-10) to score the initial intensity of symptoms (low score, less intense symptom), at 30 minutes after first feed, 8, 16, 24 hours and after 24 hours postoperative up to hospital discharge
5. Opiate analgesia usage collected from hospital records (yes or no and frequency of usage) before discharge
6. Parenteral anti-emetic usage collected from hospital records (yes or no and frequency of usage) before discharge
7. First analgesia in ward collected from hospital records by date and time before discharge
8. First breastfeeding time collected at 4 - 48 hours post op review by asking the participant her time of first latching and satisfactory breastfeeding. The response taken from the participant on satisfactory breastfeeding is of their own term of satisfaction
9. First bowel sound collected at 4 - 48 hours post-op review by auscultation of bowel sound every 4 hours for its presence. First bowel sound noticed will be recorded
10. First passage of flatus collected at 4 - 48 hours post op review by asking the participant the timing and date
11. Second mealtime collected at 4 - 48 hours post op review by asking the participant the timing and date
12. Cessation of IV fluid time collected before discharge from hospital record and asking ward provider
13. Removal of urinary catheter (CBD) collected before discharge from hospital record and by asking participants and ward provider the timing and date
14. First urination after CBD removal collected at 4 - 48 hours post op review by asking the participant the timing and date
15. Ambulation time collected before discharge from hospital record and by asking the participants and ward provider the timing and date
16. Vomiting during the post-operative stay collected from patient's diary before discharge (yes or no, frequency of vomiting)
17. Maternal complications collected from hospital records upon discharge
Overall study start date01/07/2021
Overall study end date16/01/2023

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit45 Years
SexFemale
Target number of participants500
Total final enrolment501
Participant inclusion criteria1. Women in labour (cervical dilatation ≥3 cm, contraction ≥2 in 10 minutes)
2. Age 18 – 45 years
3. Singleton pregnancy
4. Gestation ≥37 weeks
5. Unplanned caesarean section
6. Regional anaesthesia
7. No instruction from the surgeon for postoperative Nil By Mouth (NBM)
Participant exclusion criteria1. Placenta praevia
2. Multiple pregnancy
3. Diabetes requiring insulin therapy
4. Maternal medical problem that requires fluid restriction
5. Patient who is suspected COVID-19 infection or COVID-19 positive
6. Estimated blood loss >1.5 l
7. Additional surgery needed (e.g., myomectomy, cystectomy, bladder or bowel repair)
8. HDU or ICU admission
9. Significant risk of re-laparotomy
10. Appeared distressed and potentially unable to provide informed consent. i.e. in severe pain
Recruitment start date18/10/2021
Recruitment end date14/01/2023

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Malaysia

Study participating centre

University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC)
Jalan Profesor Diraja Ungku Aziz
Kuala Lumpur
59100
Malaysia

Sponsor information

University of Malaya
University/education

Department of Obstestrics and Gynaecology
Faculty of Medicine
University of Malaya Medical Centre
Jalan Profesor Diraja Ungku Aziz
Kuala Lumpur
59100
Malaysia

Phone +60 (0)3 7949 4422
Email grow@ummc.edu.my
Website https://www.um.edu.my/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/00rzspn62

Funders

Funder type

University/education

Universiti Malaya
Government organisation / Universities (academic only)
Alternative name(s)
University of Malaya, University Malaya, Malayan University, UM
Location
Malaysia

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/01/2024
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal.
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Dr Nurulhuda binti Ahmad Sani (huda.sani@ummc.edu.my, nurul9613@uitm.edu.my).

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Protocol (other) 27/08/2021 04/10/2021 No No
Results article 25/05/2023 16/02/2024 Yes No

Editorial Notes

16/02/2024: Publication reference and total final enrolment added.
05/12/2023: The following changes were made to the study record:
1. The recruitment end date was changed from 30/04/2023 to 14/01/2023.
2. The overall study end date was changed from 30/06/2023 to 16/01/2023.
08/11/2022: The recruitment end date was changed from 01/11/2022 to 30/04/2023.
20/06/2022: The contact details were updated and the overall trial end date was changed from 31/12/2022 to 30/06/2023.
18/11/2021: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The target number of participants was changed from 528 to 500.
2. The primary and secondary outcome measures were updated.
11/10/2021: The recruitment start date was changed from 11/10/2021 to 18/10/2021.
04/10/2021: Trial's existence confirmed by University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur – Medical Research Ethics Committee (UMMC-MREC).