Ann Pregnancy Birth | Volume 2, Issue 1 | Research Article | Open Access

Does the Anxiety in Perinatal Period Influence the Breastfeeding?

Ana Cristina Barros da Cunha1*, Marina Monteiro da Silva1, Stephanie da Silva Vieira1, Sandra Valesca Ferreira de Sousa2 and Ana Paula Vieira dos Santos Esteves2

1Department of Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Maternity School Hospital, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2Department of Obstetrics, Maternity School Hospital, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

*Correspondance to: Ana Cristina Barros da Cunha 

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Abstract

Background: The breastfeeding is an important protective factor for infant development due its benefits for the infant health and growing and, consequently, for the mother-child relationship.
Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate associations between prenatal anxiety and the mother’s emotional states during breastfeeding to discuss about the influence of women’s mental health during pregnancy on the breastfeeding.
Method: It is a retrospective cohort study conducted with a sample of 31 pregnant women with non-twin pregnancies and term babies attended during their puerperium period in the Breastfeeding Room (BRoom) of Maternity School Hospital of Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, where their emotional state was observed during breastfeeding classified in tense and relaxed. During their pregnancy, they were evaluated using the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and sociodemographic data were collected using a General Data Protocol.
Results: No significant associations were found between anxiety scores and the women’s emotional state during breastfeeding. Only two mothers showed to be tense at the BRoom visitation.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the BRoom can be considered as a good resource to promote the breastfeeding, supporting the woman to be more confident to breastfeed and preventing negative outcomes for the mother-baby bonding.

Keywords:

Anxiety; Pregnancy; Breastfeeding

Citation:

Barros da Cunha AC, da Silva MM, da Silva Vieira S, Ferreira de Sousa SV, Vieira dos Santos Esteves AP. Does the Anxiety in Perinatal Period Influence the Breastfeeding? Ann Pregnancy Birth. 2019; 2(1): 1010.

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