Evaluating effects of a prenatal breastfeeding education program on women with caesarean delivery in Taiwan

[[abstract]]AIMS: The aims of this study were: (1) to evaluate the effectiveness of a prenatal breastfeeding education programme for primigravida women who have elected caesarean section as a model of delivery and (2) to evaluate its effectiveness for encouraging a positive attitude to breastfeeding and rooming-in and to increase exclusive breastfeeding rates within hospital and at one month postpartum. BACKGROUND: Prenatal preparation for pregnant women about breastfeeding enhances their practical knowledge and skills about breastfeeding techniques, which prepares them when encountering possible difficulties. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental design was used. METHODS: The targeted population was primigravidas at 36-39 weeks and who had chosen to deliver by caesarean section. The study consisted of approximately 100 individuals; the control group consisted of 46 subjects and the following 54 made up the experimental group. The study was conducted at a hospital in Taiwan. RESULTS: The results of the study show that the subjects of the experimental group exhibited a more positive breastfeeding attitude (88.9 vs. 79.8, t = 7.40, p < 0.001), a higher 24 hours rooming-in rate (87% vs. 63%, chi(2) = 16.06, p < 0.001) and a higher exclusive breastfeeding rate (79.6% vs. 52.2%, chi(2) = 8.38, p = 0.004) during hospital stays and a higher exclusive breastfeeding rate (75.9% vs. 34.7%, chi(2) = 16.98, p < 0.001) for the one month postpartum period. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that providing education booklets, videos and telephone interview on breastfeeding prior to a caesarean delivery may contribute to breastfeeding attitude and improved rooming-in and exclusive breastfeeding rates. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This breastfeeding education programme has proven to be successful in aiding women breastfeeding after a caesarean delivery and provides health care professionals with an evidence-based intervention