The Effect of Prenatal Hand Expression on the Rate of Exclusive Breastfeeding to Two Months
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
Despite recommendations by several health authorities, the rate of sustained exclusive breastfeeding for two months is less than fifty-five percent in Canada. The two most common reasons for early discontinuation are problems with milk supply and difficulty with technique. Antenatal hand expression (AHE) is a method used to assist with colostrum collection in low-risk pregnancies near term. This method has been shown to have several benefits, including increased milk supply at birth. This study aims to determine if the employment of antenatal hand expression in low-risk pregnancies near term affects the rate of sustained breastfeeding exclusively to two months.
Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
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Study Design
Arms and Interventions
Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
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Antenatal hand expression - intention to exclusively breastfeed Eligible participants in this group intend to exclusively breastfeed AND must have received standardized counselling on and practiced antenatal hand expression for a minimum of 10 days beginning no earlier than 36 weeks gestational age. |
Behavioral: Antenatal hand expression
Standardized counselling and provision of information/resources on the practice of antenatal hand expression to encourage milk let down and colostrum production/collection.
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No antenatal hand expression - intention to exclusively breastfeed Eligible participants in this group intend to exclusively breastfeed but have NOT received any standardized counselling on antenatal hand expression and have not practiced antenatal hand expression OR have practiced antenatal hand expression but for less than 10 days. |
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Exclusive breastfeeding to two months [This metric measured by questionnaire at two months]
Participant-reported data on newborn dietary intake, collected by telephone questionnaire
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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inclusion to breastfeed
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no contraindications to vaginal delivery
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multiple gestation only if cleared for vaginal delivery
Exclusion Criteria:
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intention to formula feed
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antenatal hand expression training provided by staff outside of study protocol
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practiced antenatal hand expression prior to 36 weeks gestation
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breech presentation
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history of preterm labour, preterm birth or threatened preterm labour
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history of (or current) cervical insufficiency
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any contraindication to vaginal delivery (ie. placenta or vasa previa, classical uterine scar, etc.)
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intrauterine growth restriction
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antepartum hemorrhage
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any contraindication to breastfeeding (eg. HIV)
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multiple gestation requiring Cesarean delivery
Contacts and Locations
Locations
No locations specified.Sponsors and Collaborators
- University of Saskatchewan
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Almereau Prollius, MD, University of Saskatchewan
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- Bio 2238