Breastfeeding Intention and Breastfeeding Postpartum Outcomes between High-Risk and Low-Risk Pregnant Women: A Greek Prospective Cohort Study

TL;DR

This study compares breastfeeding intentions and outcomes in high-risk and low-risk pregnant women in Greece, finding that antenatal intentions strongly influence postpartum breastfeeding success.

Contribution

The study identifies extended antenatal hospitalization as a significant barrier to breastfeeding intentions in high-risk pregnancies.

Findings

81.1% of high-risk and 82.5% of low-risk pregnant women intended to exclusively breastfeed.

By six months postpartum, 54.9% of high-risk and 64.3% of low-risk women sustained breastfeeding.

Extended antenatal hospitalization significantly reduced exclusive breastfeeding intentions in high-risk pregnancies (p = 0.045).

Abstract

Background: This prospective cohort study, conducted from pregnancy to six months postpartum and grounded in STROBE methodology, quantitatively explores the relationship between antenatal breastfeeding intentions and subsequent breastfeeding outcomes among high-risk pregnant women, compared to a low-risk pregnancy group. Methods: The study was conducted in one of the largest public hospitals in Attica that provides care to pregnant women, enrolling 380 participants divided into high-risk (n = 200) and low-risk (n = 180) cohorts. Data were collected over 20 months (starting from the end of May 2020 until January 2022), spanning from pregnancy to six months postpartum, via comprehensive questionnaires. Results: Statistical analysis revealed a pronounced correlation between prenatal breastfeeding intentions and actual breastfeeding behaviors across both groups. Specifically, 81.1% of women in the high-risk group and 82.5% in the low-risk group expressed intentions of exclusively breastfeeding during pregnancy. By six months postpartum, 54.9% of the high-risk and 64.3% of the low-risk pregnancy group managed to sustain breastfeeding. Extended antenatal hospitalization emerged as a statistically significant factor (p = 0.045) negatively impacting exclusive breastfeeding intentions among high-risk pregnancies. Conclusion: The findings illuminate the critical influence of antenatal intentions on breastfeeding outcomes, particularly among high-risk pregnancies. Moreover, the study identifies the detrimental effect of prolonged hospital stays on breastfeeding aspirations. These insights underscore the necessity for nuanced, supportive interventions aimed at bolstering breastfeeding rates, thereby advancing maternal and neonatal health objectives aligned with World Health Organization recommendations.