Pregnancy delays paracetamol absorption and gastric emptying in patients undergoing surgery.

Gastric emptying may be delayed during pregnancy by hormonally mediated relaxation of the musculature of the stomach and by mechanical effects. In the present study, the rate of paracetamol absorption was used to measure gastric emptying in 14 non-pregnant women undergoing minor gynaecological surgery, and in 28 women undergoing termination of pregnancy. Of the pregnant patients 16 were of 8-11 weeks gestation and 12 were 12-14 weeks gestation. Paracetamol absorption was delayed in those who were 12-14 weeks pregnant compared with non-pregnant controls. Paracetamol absorption in the 8-11 weeks pregnant group was between the other two groups, but was not significantly different from either.