Title:The Effect of Counseling on Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy (BSFE) in Women
with Gestational Diabetes
Volume: 18
Issue: 3
Author(s): Rezvan Poorghasemian, Katayon Vakilian*Mahboobeh Khorsandi
Affiliation:
- Medical School, Traditional and complementary
Medicine Research Center (TCMRC), Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
Keywords:
Gestational diabetes, self-efficacy, breastfeeding, pregnancy, reproductive health, insulin.
Abstract:
Background: Different strategies have been suggested to increase successful breastfeeding,
including establishing child-friendly hospitals, prenatal training courses, and various counseling
models in breastfeeding self-efficacy enhancement in women with gestational diabetes.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of counseling on breastfeeding self-efficacy in
women with gestational diabetes..
Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental intervention that was conducted on 100 pregnant
women with gestational diabetes after obtaining informed consent. The intervention group received
breastfeeding counseling based on the GATHER approach in the third trimester of pregnancy
between 32 and 33 weeks and between 35 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, respectively. The follow-
up process was performed in 4 sessions after delivery: 14 to 16 days after delivery, and 28 to
30 days after delivery for 60 to 90 minutes. The control group, on the other hand, only received routine
care. After counseling, self-efficacy was examined at the end of the study and after the third
month. The data were analyzed using statistical independent t-tests and chi-square.
Results: The mean score of self-efficacy of breastfeeding at the end of the study was 55.12 in the
experimental group, which was higher than that of the control group (46.16) (P =0.0001). The frequency
percentage of exclusive breastfeeding was 58% in the experimental group and 22% in the
control group (P =0.0001).
Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of breastfeeding counseling on increasing self-efficacy
and continuity of breastfeeding in diabetic breastfeeding mothers, it is suggested to use prenatal
and continued in postnatal for diabetic mothers.