Effects of labor time on secretion time and quantity of breast milk

The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of labor time on the secretion time and quantity of breast milk in patients who underwent cesarean sections, and to compare findings of patients with and without labor.

A total of 180 patients, divided into three groups of 60 subjects, who had been hospitalized in Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity Training and Research Hospital between December 1999 and September 2000, were included in this study. Group 1 included patients who developed indications for cesarean during labor, group 2 included patients with previous cesareans who were admitted into the Hospital in active labor status, and group 3 comprised patients with previous cesareans who were dated for section (elective). Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test in Statistical Program for Scientific Studies (SPSS) for Windows 9.0.

In group 1, the lactation start time was 71.2 min (10-180 min) and the amount of milk was 26.2 ml (20-35 ml) while the same parameters were, respectively, 64.2 min (10-180 min) and 31.2 ml (20-40 ml) in group 2 and 136.2 min (45-240) and 26.3 ml (20-35 ml) in the group 3. The results were found to be statistically significant in group 2, whereas they were not significant in groups 1 and 3.

The first secretion time of lactation was found to be earlier and the amount of breast milk collected within 24 h was higher in patients who were admitted in active labor (group 2), both parameters being statistically significant.