The effect of birth memory, recall level, and related factors on breastfeeding attitude of mothers in the postpartum period: a prospective study

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the effect of birth memory, recall level, and related factors on postpartum mothers’ breastfeeding attitudes. This is a correlational prospective study. The study was conducted in the postpartum clinic of a city hospital in a province located in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. The study included a total of 248 mothers in the early postpartum period. Data were obtained via a Personal Information Form, a Labor Monitoring Form, the Birth Memories and Recall Questionnaire (BirthMARQ), the Birth Satisfaction Scale (BSS), and the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IOWA). A positive correlation was found between mothers’ level of birth memory and recall and breastfeeding attitude on postpartum day 1, month 1, and month 3. In the regression analysis, emotional memory and coherence and reliving, which are the sub-dimensions of the birth memory and recall scale affecting breastfeeding attitude, were found to be significant associated risk factors for the 1st postpartum day, consistency and reliving for the 1st month, and birth memory and recall for the 3rd month. No relationship was found between mothers’ breastfeeding attitude and birth satisfaction on postpartum day 1, month 1, and month 3. Positive birth memory and recall positively affected mothers’ breastfeeding attitude. No relationship was found between mothers’ labor satisfaction and breastfeeding attitude. Supporting women for the formation of positive birth memory and recall for the labor process may positively improve breastfeeding attitudes of mothers in the postpartum period.