Does regular antenatal exercise promote exclusive breastfeeding during the first 3 months of life? Secondary analyses of a randomized controlled trial
Introduction Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and antenatal exercise are independently associated with positive short- and long-term health effects for women and their children. The aims of the study were to investigate whether antenatal exercise promotes EBF three months postpartum and further to expl...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
European Publishing
2023-08-01
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| Series: | European Journal of Midwifery |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.europeanjournalofmidwifery.eu/Does-regular-antenatal-exercise-promote-exclusive-nbreastfeeding-during-the-first,167807,0,2.html |
| _version_ | 1797682201031081984 |
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| author | Eva Marie E. Flaathen Hege H. Johannessen Julie Bakke Cecilie Holm Siv Mørkved Kjell Å. Salvesen Signe N. Stafne |
| author_facet | Eva Marie E. Flaathen Hege H. Johannessen Julie Bakke Cecilie Holm Siv Mørkved Kjell Å. Salvesen Signe N. Stafne |
| author_sort | Eva Marie E. Flaathen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and antenatal exercise are independently
associated with positive short- and long-term health effects for women and their children.
The aims of the study were to investigate whether antenatal exercise promotes EBF three
months postpartum and further to explore factors associated with EBF at three months
postpartum.
Methods
This study was a follow-up of a Norwegian two-center randomized controlled
trial to assess the effect of an antenatal exercise protocol. The recruited pregnant women
were randomized to either a 12-week standardized antenatal exercise program with one
weekly group training led by a physiotherapist and two weekly home training sessions or
standard antenatal care. Women reported breastfeeding status in a questionnaire at three
months postpartum.
Results
Of the 726 women, 88% were EBF at three months postpartum. There was no
significant difference in EBF rates between the intervention group (87%) and the control
group (89%). EBF was positively associated with maternal education (AOR=3.4; 95% CI:
1.7–6.7) and EBF at discharge from the hospital (AOR=22.2; 95% CI: 10–49). Admission
to neonatal intensive care unit was identified as a significant barrier to EBF (AOR=0.2; 95%
CI: 0.1–0.4). Significantly more women in the non-EBF group had sought professional help
compared to women in the EBF group (p≤0.001).
Conclusions
Regular physical exercise during pregnancy did not influence the exclusive
breastfeeding rates at three months postpartum. Considering the health effects of
exclusive breastfeeding and antenatal physical exercise, studies with follow-up periods
beyond three months postpartum are warranted. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T23:56:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-86ddc3ad881d41dda87d735fc93d1b56 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2585-2906 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T23:56:07Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | European Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of Midwifery |
| spelling | doaj.art-86ddc3ad881d41dda87d735fc93d1b562023-09-18T12:33:35ZengEuropean PublishingEuropean Journal of Midwifery2585-29062023-08-017August1910.18332/ejm/167807167807Does regular antenatal exercise promote exclusive breastfeeding during the first 3 months of life? Secondary analyses of a randomized controlled trialEva Marie E. Flaathen0Hege H. Johannessen1Julie Bakke2Cecilie Holm3Siv Mørkved4Kjell Å. Salvesen5Signe N. Stafne6Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, NorwayFaculty of Health, Welfare and Organisation, Østfold University College, Halden, NorwayDepartment of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, NorwayDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, NorwayDepartment of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, NorwayIntroduction Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and antenatal exercise are independently associated with positive short- and long-term health effects for women and their children. The aims of the study were to investigate whether antenatal exercise promotes EBF three months postpartum and further to explore factors associated with EBF at three months postpartum. Methods This study was a follow-up of a Norwegian two-center randomized controlled trial to assess the effect of an antenatal exercise protocol. The recruited pregnant women were randomized to either a 12-week standardized antenatal exercise program with one weekly group training led by a physiotherapist and two weekly home training sessions or standard antenatal care. Women reported breastfeeding status in a questionnaire at three months postpartum. Results Of the 726 women, 88% were EBF at three months postpartum. There was no significant difference in EBF rates between the intervention group (87%) and the control group (89%). EBF was positively associated with maternal education (AOR=3.4; 95% CI: 1.7–6.7) and EBF at discharge from the hospital (AOR=22.2; 95% CI: 10–49). Admission to neonatal intensive care unit was identified as a significant barrier to EBF (AOR=0.2; 95% CI: 0.1–0.4). Significantly more women in the non-EBF group had sought professional help compared to women in the EBF group (p≤0.001). Conclusions Regular physical exercise during pregnancy did not influence the exclusive breastfeeding rates at three months postpartum. Considering the health effects of exclusive breastfeeding and antenatal physical exercise, studies with follow-up periods beyond three months postpartum are warranted.http://www.europeanjournalofmidwifery.eu/Does-regular-antenatal-exercise-promote-exclusive-nbreastfeeding-during-the-first,167807,0,2.htmlrisk factorsphysical activitypostpartumhealth outcomesexclusive breastfeedingantenatal exercise |
| spellingShingle | Eva Marie E. Flaathen Hege H. Johannessen Julie Bakke Cecilie Holm Siv Mørkved Kjell Å. Salvesen Signe N. Stafne Does regular antenatal exercise promote exclusive breastfeeding during the first 3 months of life? Secondary analyses of a randomized controlled trial European Journal of Midwifery risk factors physical activity postpartum health outcomes exclusive breastfeeding antenatal exercise |
| title | Does regular antenatal exercise promote exclusive
breastfeeding during the first 3 months of life? Secondary
analyses of a randomized controlled trial |
| title_full | Does regular antenatal exercise promote exclusive
breastfeeding during the first 3 months of life? Secondary
analyses of a randomized controlled trial |
| title_fullStr | Does regular antenatal exercise promote exclusive
breastfeeding during the first 3 months of life? Secondary
analyses of a randomized controlled trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Does regular antenatal exercise promote exclusive
breastfeeding during the first 3 months of life? Secondary
analyses of a randomized controlled trial |
| title_short | Does regular antenatal exercise promote exclusive
breastfeeding during the first 3 months of life? Secondary
analyses of a randomized controlled trial |
| title_sort | does regular antenatal exercise promote exclusive breastfeeding during the first 3 months of life secondary analyses of a randomized controlled trial |
| topic | risk factors physical activity postpartum health outcomes exclusive breastfeeding antenatal exercise |
| url | http://www.europeanjournalofmidwifery.eu/Does-regular-antenatal-exercise-promote-exclusive-nbreastfeeding-during-the-first,167807,0,2.html |
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