GASTRIC EMPTYING TIME IN LATE PREGNANCY AND LABOUR

Abstract

Summary Gastric emptying was measured in non‐pregnant, pregnant and labouring women. The results suggest an explanation for previously conflicting studies and support the suggestion that slowing of gastric emptying contributes to heartburn in pregnancy. However, there was no clear evidence that in pregnant women generally gastric emptying is impaired. Gastric emptying times during labour were shown to be prolonged and the pattern of emptying altered.