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Unintended pregnancy and breast-feeding behavior
T D Dye1, M A Wojtowycz, R H Aubry
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse, USA.
American Journal of Public Health
|November 14, 1997
Summary
Women with unintended pregnancies are less likely to breast-feed. Promoting breastfeeding support for these mothers is crucial for improving health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Maternal and Child Health
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Unintended pregnancies represent a significant public health concern.
- Breastfeeding is widely recognized for its numerous health benefits for both mother and child.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between pregnancy intention and breastfeeding behavior.
- To determine if unintended pregnancies influence a mother's decision to breastfeed.
Main Methods:
- A large cohort of 33,735 women delivering live births in central New York between 1995 and 1996 were surveyed.
- Data collected included pregnancy intention (planned, mistimed, unwanted) and breastfeeding intentions.
Main Results:
- Women experiencing mistimed or unwanted pregnancies were significantly less likely to breastfeed compared to those with planned pregnancies.
- These associations remained significant after adjusting for potential confounding factors and contraindications to breastfeeding.
Conclusions:
- Pregnancy intention is a significant factor influencing breastfeeding practices.
- Targeted interventions and support for breastfeeding are essential for women with unintended pregnancies to improve maternal and child health outcomes.