Free intake of water compared to carbohydrate beverage up to patient despatch from the ward to the operating theatre for planned Caesarean section

INTERVENTION: Participants are randomised using sealed opaque envelopes to either: A: No solids from 2 am of the morning of the planned Caesarean and free access to drink a carbohydrate beverage from 2 am of the morning of Caesarean until despatch to the operating theatre from the ward B: No solids from 2 am of the morning of the planned Caesarean and free access to drink water from 2 am of the morning of Caesarean until despatch to the operating theatre from the ward Participants will be followed up for 3 days (on the day of the operation, day 1 after the operation and day 2 after the operation). CONDITION: Women admitted to hospital and awaiting planned Caesarean section ; Pregnancy and Childbirth PRIMARY OUTCOME: ; 1. Number of satisfactory breastfeeding episodes on the day after Caesarean until day 2 post‐operation (8 am to 8 am), measured using a breastfeeding diary recording times, episode duration and whether the participant perceived the episode to be satisfactory from her perspective; 2. Maternal satisfaction with preoperative oral intake care experience measured using Numerical Rating Scale (NRS 0‐10) ratings on thirst, hunger and nausea at ward despatch to operating theatre; INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Admitted for planned Caesarean section 2. Age =18 years 3. Gestational age =37 weeks 4. Planned spinal anaesthesia 5. Singleton pregnancy 6. Reassuring fetal status (normal fetal heart rate tracing) SECONDARY OUTCOME: ; 1. Vomiting assessed using a questionnaire from prior to caesarean at arrival to the operating theatre (OT) to exit to OT recovery, at arrival OT recovery to exit to postnatal ward, and pre‐discharge from ward; 2. Sensation of thirst, hunger and nausea assessed using a numeric rating scale (0 to 10) at despatch to operating theatre; 3. Capillary blood glucose level measured using a glucometer at despatch to operating theatre; 4. IV rehydration (preoperative) measured using a questionnaire at the OT reception/waiting area; 5. Intraoperative heaving/retching (sub‐vomiting) measured using a questionnaire (none/heaving or retching/vomiting) during surgery; 6. Intraoperative hypotension measured using a questionnaire pre‐spinal/intraoperative; 7. Post‐Caesarean interval to first oral feed measured using a questionnaire after surgery; 8. Post‐Caesarean interval to first flatus measured using a questionnaire after surgery; 9. Post‐Caesarean interval to ambulation measured using a questionnaire after surgery; 10. Post‐Caesarean interval to hospital discharge measured using a questionnaire after surgery; 11. Pain at rest measured using a numeric rating scale (0 to 10) at 8 am Day 1 post operation; 12. Satisfactory breastfeeding episodes after Caesarean to 8 am Day 1, measured using a patient‐completed breastfeeding diary; 13. Maternal satisfaction with preoperative oral intake measured with a patient‐completed numeric rating scale (0 to 10) at 8 am Day 1; 14. Maternal satisfaction with breastfeeding experience measured with a patient‐completed questionnaire (satisfactory/unsatisfactory) on Day 1; 15. Neonatal outcome assessed using the Apgar score 0‐10 at 1 minute and 5 minutes after delivery (completed by doctor or nurse); 16. Umbilical arterial blood pH recorded on questionnaire after delivery (completed by doctor or nurse); 17. Neonatal admission and indication recorded on a questionnaire (completed by doctor or nurse) at the point of after delivery until discharge; 18. Maternal fever: highest maternal temperature recorded by doctor or nurse up to hospital discharge; 19. Maternal major harm of ICU admission, aspiration or Mallory Weiss tear recorded on a questionnaire (completed by doctor or nurse) during surgery, post surgery and until discharge;