Different patterns of oxytocin, prolactin but not cortisol release during breastfeeding in women delivered by Caesarean section or by the vaginal route

Effect of Antenatal Expression of Breast Milk at Term in Reducing Breast Feeding Failures

“…It also ensures that the antenatal preparation of the breast is optimal, protractile nipples are formed and the lacteal ducts are patent with no local pathology. Other studies also support the contention that overall 70-80% babies initiate full breast feeding immediately after birth and it is delayed in cesarean deliveries probably due to lesser number of oxytocin pulses and lower prolactin levels in cesarean deliveries [9][10][11] . Though this was a small study involving only 180 patients, the results have been found to be statistically significant.…”

Professional Support in Pregnancy Influence Maternal Relation to and Feelings for the Baby after Cesarean Birth: An Intervention Study

“…Normal birth may involve a number of physiological adaptations in both the mother and the child [10,11,[54][55][56][57][58] that may be delayed after a cesarean birth. Mothers with a cesarean birth will be affected by postoperative pain and pain relief medication, and consequently, they may be less alert and interactive in their encounters with the baby from the start [7,9].…”

“…Our result also implies that having a cesarean birth may have a negative impact on the mother's relationship with the baby. Another reason for this negative impact may be because mothers with a cesarean birth have a less mature and pulsatile oxytocin release pattern at breastfeeding compared to mothers with a normal birth [10]. Oxytocin has been suggested to have a positive effect on prenatal bonding [59] and on maternal bonding behaviors [60].…”

“…Furthermore, pain and pain medication could make it difficult for the mother to interact with and breastfeed her baby [9]. A less than optimal hormonal adaptation to breastfeeding has been observed in mothers who have had a cesarean birth [10,11].…”

“…Healthcare professionals altered their attitudes towards more facilitating less regulating behaviour, which tended to be stable over time, one year after the training program [26,27]. As a result of the process-oriented training program, the professional support during pregnancy improved mothers perception of professional support after birth with emphasis on preparation for their parental role and the baby's needs, which has a positive effect on mothers relation to and feelings for the baby and the breastfeeding [28,[31][32][33].After a caesarean birth, the mother may be more vulnerable in her relation to and feelings for her baby [8][9][10][11]. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to explore whether improved professional support would have a positive influence on this relationship in the presence of the additional challenge of a cesarean birth, compared to mothers with a normal birth.…”