Primiparous women differ from multiparous women after early discharge regarding breastfeeding, anxiety, and insecurity: A prospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION: Breastfeeding and factors influencing breastfeeding are essential when considering the association between parity and neonatal and maternal morbidity risks when mothers are discharged within 24 hours after birth. However, there is a lack of studies examining the effect of parity and breastfeeding in a setting where all healthy mothers are recommended discharge four hours after birth. Therefore, this study examined the association between parity and the time for discharge, breastfeeding, and factors influencing breastfeeding. METHODS: The study was designed as a prospective cohort study. Data were obtained from questionnaires at one and at six weeks after birth, and combined with registered data. All 147 included mothers were healthy, with an uncomplicated birth and a healthy newborn, discharged within 24 hours after birth. RESULTS: This study documented that primiparous women had a higher relative risk (RR=2.62; 95% CI: 1.35–5.10) of having doubts about infant feeding after discharge than multiparous women. Furthermore, 54% of primiparous women contacted the maternity ward after discharge compared to 27% of multiparous women. Twice as many primiparous than multiparous women felt anxious or depressed at one and at six weeks after birth. Finally, the study documented that 13% of primiparous women and 5% of multiparous women discharged within six hours after birth perceived the time before discharge to be too short. CONCLUSIONS: Primiparous women differ from multiparous women regarding breastfeeding, insecurity, and anxiety. Special attention towards primiparous women and a follow-up strategy that allows the mothers to contact the maternity ward after early discharge is recommended.