Association between the mode of delivery and breastfeeding

Taha, Omima T.; Hamdy, Mostafa A.; Ahmed, Amal A.; Ibrahim, Marwa A.; Gadallah, Ahmed M.

doi:10.21608/egyfs.2023.297286

Association between the mode of delivery and breastfeeding

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University

² Assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University

³ Lecturer of pediatrics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University

⁴ Lecturer of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University

10.21608/egyfs.2023.297286

Abstract

Background: The rising rate of cesarean section is noticed all over the world. Cesarean delivery is associated with multiple adverse effects. Its association with successful breastfeeding has been questioned.
Objective: To evaluate the association between breastfeeding and the mode of delivery.
Study design: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from January 2021 to December 2021 at a tertiary hospital's obstetrics and gynecology department. We recruited women with a firstborn child aged 18- 45 years and had their delivery 1.5 to 2 years ago. Data were obtained about age, weight, height, occupation, level of education, duration of exclusive breastfeeding, total duration of breastfeeding, and need for supplementary formula. Data about the mode of delivery
- vaginal, elective CS, CS after labor pains- were also obtained.
Results: There were 21, 49, and 19 women in the vaginal delivery, elective CS, and emergency CS groups, respectively. The mean age of the studied population was 25.51 ± 3.6. The duration of breastfeeding was prolonged with vaginal delivery (13.6 ± 7.1 months) yet, statistically insignificant (p-value 0.412). Exclusive breastfeeding was maintained with vaginal delivery (80.9%) followed by elective CS de- livery (71.4%), but the difference was insignificant (p-value 0.455). Lower body mass index predicted successful breast- feeding significantly (p-value 0.021).
Conclusion: There was no difference between the mode of delivery and successful breastfeeding. The body mass index was a significant predictor for exclusive breastfeeding.

Keywords