Gastric emptying in pregnancy and its clinical implications: a narrative review
Authors' conclusion
In conclusion, inconsistencies in the literature reflect the unpredictability of gastric emptying in pregnancy
Study context
- Population
- Pregnant women (trimesters, Caesarean delivery, labour, postpartum)32 observational studies, 1 nonrandomised controlled study, 22 RCTs
- Outcome
- Effect of pregnancy on gastric emptying
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Gastric emptying in pregnancy
- Vs nonpregnant state, gastric emptying decreased in the first but not the second and third trimesters
- Before elective Caesarean delivery, carbohydrate drink or tea with milk: no difference in gastric cross-sectional area at 2 h vs fasting or water
- After a standard fast for elective Caesarean delivery, patients may still have high-risk gastric contents
- Gastric emptying delayed in labour vs nonpregnant state and third trimester; choice of analgesia modifies this
- Systemic opioids delay gastric emptying
- Epidural analgesia increases gastric emptying, but not back to baseline
- Intrathecal analgesia delays gastric emptying vs epidural analgesia
- Women in labour who ate solids in the last 8 h still have high-risk gastric contents
- Evidence for the postpartum period is conflicting
Original publication
Gastric emptying in pregnancy and its clinical implications: a narrative review. Br J Anaesth. Published 22 October 2024. doi:10.
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