Breast intercurrences related to lactation: a study involving recent mothers in a public maternity de João Pessoa, PB

DOI: 10.15343/0104-7809.2009433439

Abstract

This descriptive survey, with a quantitative approach, aimed at identifying breast intercurrences related to lactation, which of
these present a greater incidence and which the possible factors are for triggering it in recent mothers in a public maternity of the city
of João Pessoa - PB. Subjects were recent mothers in the infirmary of Hospital Cândida Vargas. The sample was composed by 145 recent
mothers. For data collection a semi-structured interview form was used. The collected data had been analyzed statistically and descriptively,
and the presentation of results used both a tabular and a graphical presentation using program SPSS. Among the most frequent
breast intercurrencies were breast hardening (28.3%), mammilla fissures (7.6%), and mastitis (2.8%). The possible contributing factors
for triggering the complications were low degree of schooling (53.1%), being mother for the first time (46.2%), and absence of previous
experiences with breast-feeding (54.5%). This study offers subsidies for nursing practices aiming to prepare pregnant women from the
beginning of pregnancy, a moment that comes before breast-feeding, enhancing the level of knowledge and awareness regarding prevention
of possible problems and contributing to the general well-being of recent mothers during breast-feeding.