A new study from Finland found that mothers with a fear of childbirth tend to breastfeed for a shorter duration than average, regardless of the mode of delivery. The study, conducted using data from the Kuopio Birth Cohort study, included 2,521 women who had given birth in Kuopio University Hospital between 2013 and 2020. The researchers found that fear of childbirth can indicate a greater need for breastfeeding support among new mothers.
In Finland, breastfeeding is recommended for at least six months, with 4-6 months of exclusive breastfeeding. The study revealed that 98% of mothers initiated breastfeeding during the first neonatal week, with three out of four mothers continuing to breastfeed for at least six months. Those who had a vaginal delivery without complications were more likely to meet breastfeeding recommendations. However, fear of childbirth was associated with a shorter duration of breastfeeding, regardless of the mode of delivery – including spontaneous vaginal delivery, caesarean surgery, or vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery.
The study also identified other factors associated with a shorter duration of breastfeeding, such as twin pregnancy, maternal overweight and obesity, high blood pressure, and smoking. Of mothers with twins, 40% breastfed for at least six months. Other factors included young maternal age, first-time childbirth, single parenthood, and lower education levels. However, there was a positive trend in the duration of breastfeeding, with an increase in the proportion of mothers breastfeeding for more than six months from 71% to 85% between 2013 and 2020.
Professor Leea Keski-Nisula, the lead author of the study, highlighted the importance of providing targeted support to mothers with known risk factors, such as a fear of childbirth, twin pregnancies, or smoking, to promote breastfeeding. She emphasized the significance of successful breastfeeding guidance and support in contributing to the longer duration of breastfeeding observed in recent years. The findings suggest that breastfeeding guidance given by health care professionals should target mothers with a fear of childbirth and other vulnerable groups who may struggle with initiating breastfeeding.
The researchers noted that this study is the first to observe an association between the fear of childbirth and the success of breastfeeding. The fear of childbirth had a significant impact on the duration of breastfeeding, with mothers who feared childbirth being three times more likely to breastfeed for a shorter duration than recommended. The researchers also highlighted the importance of increasing awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and continuing to provide targeted support to mothers with risk factors, such as fear of childbirth, twin pregnancy, or smoking, to promote successful breastfeeding. The Kuopio Birth Cohort study, KuBiCo, is a collaborative research project by Kuopio University Hospital, the University of Eastern Finland, and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.