The Effect of Delivery Method on Milk Supply in Breastfeeding Mother Study

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effect of cesarean section to women milk supply, latch score at the 1st and 48th hour postpartum with vaginal route delivery.
Material and Methods: Two hundred pregnant women with uncomplicated delivery from June 1 to September 30, 2014 at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Borabue Hospital, were included. In Group 1 (n=100), the vaginal route group consisted of parturients who had vaginal delivery. In Group 2 (n=100), the cesarean section group consisted of parturients who had cesarean section. Both groups were assessed for milk supply and latch score at the 1st and 48th hour postpartum.
Results: There were no difference in milk supply at the 1st and 48th hour postpartum between the two groups (p = 0.595 and p = 0.790, respectively). Latch score at the 1st hour postpartum in vaginal delivery group was significantly higher than one in cesarean section group (p = 0.000). However, Latch score at the 48th hour postpartum was not statistically different in both groups (p = 0.285).
Conclusion: It is not the method of delivery that influences milk supply at the 1st and 48th hour postpartum but rather the Latch score at the 1st hour in cesarean section that is lower than vaginal delivery group. Health providers need to support the message that milk supply is not affected by method of delivery.