Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Evaluation of the Impact of a Midwife-Led Breastfeeding Group Intervention on Prevention of Postpartum Depression: A Multicentre Randomized Clinical Trial

Isabel Rodríguez-Gallego
ORCID logo ,
Rafael Vila-Candel
* ORCID logo ,
Isabel Corrales-Gutierrez
* ORCID logo ,
Diego Gomez-Baya
ORCID logo ,
Fatima Leon-Larios
ORCID logo
Version 1 : Received: 25 December 2023 / Approved: 26 December 2023 / Online: 26 December 2023 (09:51:08 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Rodríguez-Gallego, I.; Vila-Candel, R.; Corrales-Gutierrez, I.; Gomez-Baya, D.; Leon-Larios, F. Evaluation of the Impact of a Midwife-Led Breastfeeding Group Intervention on Prevention of Postpartum Depression: A Multicentre Randomised Clinical Trial. Nutrients 2024, 16, 227. Rodríguez-Gallego, I.; Vila-Candel, R.; Corrales-Gutierrez, I.; Gomez-Baya, D.; Leon-Larios, F. Evaluation of the Impact of a Midwife-Led Breastfeeding Group Intervention on Prevention of Postpartum Depression: A Multicentre Randomised Clinical Trial. Nutrients 2024, 16, 227.

Abstract

Postpartum depression is a significant health issue during the postpartum period and not only affects the woman but also has important repercussions for the newborn. Group support interventions during the postpartum period have proven effective in helping women cope with depression and improving breastfeeding rates. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a midwife-led breastfeeding support group intervention on breastfeeding rates, postpartum depression and general self-efficacy. This was a multicentric cluster randomized controlled trial with control and intervention groups and was not blinded. It was conducted in Andalusia (southern Spain) from October 2021 to May 2023. A total of 382 women participated in the study. Results showed a significant difference in exclusive breastfeeding rates at 4 months postpartum between the groups (p < 0.001). Additionally, there was a lower mean score on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in the intervention group (12.49 ± 3.6 vs 13.39 ± 4.0; p = 0.044). Similarly, higher scores of general self-efficacy were observed among breastfeeding women at 2 and 4 months postpartum (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, midwife-led breastfeeding support groups enhanced self-efficacy, prolonged breastfeeding and reduced postpartum depression 4 months after giving birth.

Keywords

breastfeeding; support group; lactation; self-help group; postpartum depression; general self-efficacy; women’s mental health.

Subject

Medicine and Pharmacology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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