Authors: Sarah Yahya Al Sabati, Ola Mousa.
Introduction: In growing countries, women’s death is contributed to a wide array of complications in pregnancy, childbirth or the postpartum period. These complications existed because of their pregnancy status and some because pregnancy, severed their existing diseases. Among developing countries, postpartum hemorrhage is the most common cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. As recommended by the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), infants must be in skin to skin contact with their mother immediately after birth, and mothers must be assisted for initiating breastfeeding within the first half hour of initiating birth. There are lesser studies on breastfeeding advantages for mothers compare to those of infants, but satisfactory evidences show that women who breastfeed have improved health in the short term and has lower risk for developing future diseases.
Aim of the Study: This study aims to examine the effect of early initiation and frequency of breast-feeding on the uterine consistency and the amount of vaginal blood loss during early post-partum period.
Methods: A quasi experimental research design was carried out. Study was conducted in delivery room and postpartum units at King Fahd Hospital of the university in Al-Khobar, and Qatief Central Hospital in Qatief and Maternity and Children Hospital in Dammam. Convenient sample was used over a period of three months. The sample size was (100 women) whom divided into two groups. The researchers assessed the uterine consistency, fundal level and the amount of vaginal blood loss for women in both groups immediately following placenta separation and every 30 minutes for the first 2 hours in relation to breastfeeding.
Results: In relation to uterine consistency after placental delivery the experimental and control groups showed no statistically significant differences between them. As regards to the amount of vaginal blood loss in the experimental and control groups, it was observed that the mean of vaginal blood loss among the control group was higher compared with the experimental group, this difference was statistically significant.
Conclusion: Early initiation and frequency of breastfeeding immediately following labor decrease the amount of vaginal blood loss and improve uterine involution.
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