Exposición a oxitocina sintética en el periodo perinatal y resultados en la lactancia materna: un estudio piloto

Exposure to synthetic oxytocin (SOT) during labour and delivery is currently associated with a low prevalence of the practice of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF).

Objective

To compare levels of exposure to synthetic oxytocin during labour and delivery, and breastfeeding at 2 months post-partum.

Method

A quantitative, descriptive, prospective observational pilot study was conducted on a sample of 19 mothers, users of the Chilean public health system, during 2014-2015. Bio-socio-demographic and perinatal variables were recorded, as well as exposure to SOT during delivery. Breastfeeding details were gathered using a questionnaire. A descriptive univariate and bivariate analysis was performed using SPSS v19 software. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the health service involved, and participation was by prior informed consent.

Results

The mean age of mothers was 27 years old, literate, with a stable partner, and good social support and functional families. The prevalence of EBF was 63.15%. The exposure to SOT was 52.63%, and of these, 60% practised EBF. Exclusive breastfeeding was also practised by 50% of the women exposed to spinal anaesthesia. Dose and exposure time to SOT, as well as information on the benefits of breastfeeding, did not influence EBF. The expectations of breastfeeding for 6 months had a 100% consistency with maintaining EBF.

Discussion

It was not possible to determine whether exposure to SOT influenced EBF. However, it was observed that exposure to spinal anaesthesia and caesarean section could lead to lower EBF.