Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the actual breast and nipple observations received by pregnant mothers from nurses and midwives and the effects of breastfeeding.
Methods
The study method consisted of an anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey of 302 mothers who attended infant health screening with their infants. This study was approved by the ethics committee of the Kagoshima University (No.348).
Results
Valid responses were received from 240 mothers (79.5%). Mothers who underwent observation of the breast and nipple for the entire duration of their pregnancy accounted for 129 of the199 respondents (64.8%). Most mothers felt that observation of the breasts and nipples was necessary, with 185 of the 199 respondents (92.9%) indicating a perceived need for this type of observation. Mothers who underwent observation of the breast and nipple for the entire duration of their pregnancy revealed a significantly related to breastfeeding among the mothers (p＜0.05).
Conclusions
Many pregnant women wish for observation opportunities, the observation of the breast and nipple during pregnancy by midwife or nurse had breastfeeding rate than those who did not observe.
