Comparing Breastfeeding Outcomes of Australian Women Who Birth by Elective and Non-Elective Caesarean Section
Caesarean section birth (CS) accounts for 38% of Australian births and is known to negatively impact breastfeeding exclusivity and duration. Comparison of breastfeeding outcomes between elective (ELUSCS) and non-elective lower uterine segment caesarean section (NELUSCS) births is needed to inform cl...
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/93/1/21 |
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| author | Lauren Papalia Sarah G. Abelha Jacki L. McEachran Stuart J. Watson Linda McKean Stuart A. Prosser Donna T. Geddes Sharon L. Perrella |
| author_facet | Lauren Papalia Sarah G. Abelha Jacki L. McEachran Stuart J. Watson Linda McKean Stuart A. Prosser Donna T. Geddes Sharon L. Perrella |
| author_sort | Lauren Papalia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Caesarean section birth (CS) accounts for 38% of Australian births and is known to negatively impact breastfeeding exclusivity and duration. Comparison of breastfeeding outcomes between elective (ELUSCS) and non-elective lower uterine segment caesarean section (NELUSCS) births is needed to inform clinical care. Secondary analysis was performed on data from Australian women who had birthed by CS within the previous 12 months and completed an anonymous online questionnaire. Women responded to items relating to CS birth type and feeding methods immediately post birth, during the hospital stay and in the first 2 weeks at home. Self-reported pain at those time points was rated using a scale of 0–10 with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating severe pain. Associations between CS birth type, pain scores and feeding methods were determined, and breastfeeding prevalence at the time of survey completion examined. Our sample consisted of 851 women at 5 ± 3.5 months postpartum, of which 435 (51.1%) were primiparous and 362 (42%) had a NELUSCS birth. Infants born by NELUSCS were more likely to receive formula (37.1% vs. 28.8% ELUSCS, <i>p</i> = 0.024) and less likely to be breastfed (78.6% vs. 85.9% ELUSCS, <i>p</i> = 0.022) during the hospital stay. During the 2 weeks after discharge, women who birthed by NELUSCS had higher mean pain scores (6.5 vs. 4.6 ELUSCS, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Few women expressed and fed their milk in the weeks after discharge, with higher rates seen after NELUSCS (7.7% vs. 3.5%, <i>p</i> = 0.017). Breastfeeding status at study completion was not associated with CS birth type (19.6% ELUSCS vs. 19% NELUSCS, <i>p</i> = 0.99). The study findings indicate that Australian women who give birth by NELUSCS are more likely to experience breastfeeding challenges, with higher rates of infant formula supplementation and a more painful recovery in the days and weeks after birth. In light of the higher postpartum pain scores and lower rates of exclusive breastfeeding, women who birth by NELUSCS need additional postpartum support. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:52:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8eb28b82db3449deb562c48825ba74c9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2504-3900 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-03-20T05:46:40Z |
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| spelling | doaj.art-8eb28b82db3449deb562c48825ba74c92024-10-03T04:03:21ZengMDPI AGProceedings2504-39002024-01-019312110.3390/proceedings2023093021Comparing Breastfeeding Outcomes of Australian Women Who Birth by Elective and Non-Elective Caesarean SectionLauren Papalia0Sarah G. Abelha1Jacki L. McEachran2Stuart J. Watson3Linda McKean4Stuart A. Prosser5Donna T. Geddes6Sharon L. Perrella7School of Nursing, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, AustraliaWestern Obstetrics, Balcatta, WA 6021, AustraliaSchool of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, AustraliaSchool of Nursing, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, AustraliaSchool of Nursing, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, AustraliaWestern Obstetrics, Balcatta, WA 6021, AustraliaSchool of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, AustraliaSchool of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, AustraliaCaesarean section birth (CS) accounts for 38% of Australian births and is known to negatively impact breastfeeding exclusivity and duration. Comparison of breastfeeding outcomes between elective (ELUSCS) and non-elective lower uterine segment caesarean section (NELUSCS) births is needed to inform clinical care. Secondary analysis was performed on data from Australian women who had birthed by CS within the previous 12 months and completed an anonymous online questionnaire. Women responded to items relating to CS birth type and feeding methods immediately post birth, during the hospital stay and in the first 2 weeks at home. Self-reported pain at those time points was rated using a scale of 0–10 with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating severe pain. Associations between CS birth type, pain scores and feeding methods were determined, and breastfeeding prevalence at the time of survey completion examined. Our sample consisted of 851 women at 5 ± 3.5 months postpartum, of which 435 (51.1%) were primiparous and 362 (42%) had a NELUSCS birth. Infants born by NELUSCS were more likely to receive formula (37.1% vs. 28.8% ELUSCS, <i>p</i> = 0.024) and less likely to be breastfed (78.6% vs. 85.9% ELUSCS, <i>p</i> = 0.022) during the hospital stay. During the 2 weeks after discharge, women who birthed by NELUSCS had higher mean pain scores (6.5 vs. 4.6 ELUSCS, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Few women expressed and fed their milk in the weeks after discharge, with higher rates seen after NELUSCS (7.7% vs. 3.5%, <i>p</i> = 0.017). Breastfeeding status at study completion was not associated with CS birth type (19.6% ELUSCS vs. 19% NELUSCS, <i>p</i> = 0.99). The study findings indicate that Australian women who give birth by NELUSCS are more likely to experience breastfeeding challenges, with higher rates of infant formula supplementation and a more painful recovery in the days and weeks after birth. In light of the higher postpartum pain scores and lower rates of exclusive breastfeeding, women who birth by NELUSCS need additional postpartum support.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/93/1/21caesarean sectionelectivenon electivebreastfeedinginfant formulapain |
| spellingShingle | Lauren Papalia Sarah G. Abelha Jacki L. McEachran Stuart J. Watson Linda McKean Stuart A. Prosser Donna T. Geddes Sharon L. Perrella Comparing Breastfeeding Outcomes of Australian Women Who Birth by Elective and Non-Elective Caesarean Section Proceedings caesarean section elective non elective breastfeeding infant formula pain |
| title | Comparing Breastfeeding Outcomes of Australian Women Who Birth by Elective and Non-Elective Caesarean Section |
| title_full | Comparing Breastfeeding Outcomes of Australian Women Who Birth by Elective and Non-Elective Caesarean Section |
| title_fullStr | Comparing Breastfeeding Outcomes of Australian Women Who Birth by Elective and Non-Elective Caesarean Section |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparing Breastfeeding Outcomes of Australian Women Who Birth by Elective and Non-Elective Caesarean Section |
| title_short | Comparing Breastfeeding Outcomes of Australian Women Who Birth by Elective and Non-Elective Caesarean Section |
| title_sort | comparing breastfeeding outcomes of australian women who birth by elective and non elective caesarean section |
| topic | caesarean section elective non elective breastfeeding infant formula pain |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/93/1/21 |
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