The Different Effect of a Progestogen - only Pill and Intrauterine Device Contraception on Breast Milk Volume and Infant Growth

Abstract

A prospective study of the progestogen-only pills (POP); Exluton (lynestrenol 500 μg.) and non-hormonal method (intrauterine device; multiload Cu-250) was conducted in puerperium women at Nakhonpathom hospital during January 2008 to December 2009. Eighty-four women were voluntarily allocated to either POP group (N = 42) or to IUD group (N = 42) and were followed up at four weekly interval until 30 weeks after entering the study. Breast milk volume was measured by spectra electronic pump. Data nursing frequency, infant growth, infant morbidity, maternal weight, maternal blood pressure and maternal morbidity at each visit were obtained and recorded. There was no significant difference in 24 hour milk production, maternal blood pressure and infant anthropometric measurements between the two groups. Infant length in POP group was significantly less than IUD group at 6, 10 and 14 weeks but the difference disappeared at the 18th week onwards. Maternal weight in the POP group decreased significantly while maternal weight in the IUD group increased, starting from the week of follow-up. Infection rate in infants of IUD group at 30 weeks was also significantly higher.