Active management of the third stage of labor may reduce breastfeeding duration due to pain and physical complications.

BACKGROUND

Evidence is growing that active management of the third stage of labor using prophylactic uterotonics may be associated with lower breastfeeding rates. The reasons underlying this relationship are incompletely understood. The aim of this article is to examine the experiences of mothers who stopped breastfeeding in relation to administration of parenteral uterotonics for postpartum hemorrhage prophylaxis.

SUBJECTS AND

METHODS

Two hundred eighty-eight mothers with an infant 0-6 months of age who had a vaginal birth completed a self-report questionnaire examining injections of uterotonics during the third stage of labor, breastfeeding at birth, breastfeeding duration, and, where applicable, reasons for breastfeeding cessation, whether physical, social, or psychological.

RESULTS

No significant association was found between infant feeding mode at birth (breast/formula) and injection of uterotonics. However, mothers who had received uterotonics were significantly less likely to be breastfeeding at all at 2 and 6 weeks. Among mothers who had stopped breastfeeding, those who had received parenteral prophylactic uterotonics were significantly more likely to report stopping breastfeeding for physical reasons such as pain or difficulty.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that injection of prophylactic uteronics may reduce breastfeeding duration, but not initiation. This may be attributable to the effects of oxytocin or ergometrine on the physiology of lactation, leading to difficulties with infant latch and milk supply. If breastfeeding rates are to be optimized, this hypothesis needs to be explored in randomized controlled trials of third-stage management. Meanwhile, mothers who receive parenteral uterotonics may need additional support to establish breastfeeding.