Authors (including presenting author) :
Cheng KY(1), To CPJ(1), Kwan SFN(1), Lo PK(1), Ng SM(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, New Territories East Cluster
Keyword 1: :
Breastfeeding Rates
Keyword 2: :
Caesarean Section Mothers
Keyword 4: :
Educational program
Keyword 5: :
Pre-operative assessment clinic
Introduction :
Breastfeeding is crucial for the health of both infants and mothers, providing essential nutrients and promoting bonding. However, mothers undergoing Caesarean sections often face challenges that hinder breastfeeding success. Infants delivered by Caesarean sections are more likely to experience complications, leading to higher transfer rates to the Neonatal Unit (NNU) compared to those born vaginally (Yeganegi et al., 2024). This separation significantly impacts mothers' ability to initiate breastfeeding. A systematic review by Kehinde et al.(2023) emphasizes the importance of prenatal education for improving breastfeeding outcomes.
Objectives :
The O&G Day Ward has collaborated with the breastfeeding team to implement a structured educational program starting at the pre-operative assessment clinic (CSAC), aiming to increase breastfeeding rates among mothers delivering via Caesarean sections.
Methodology :
Pre-Operative Education:
Educate mothers about expressing breast milk (EBM) techniques during CSAC to prepare them effectively. This proactive approach is crucial, as many mothers may be too fatigued post-surgery to learn.
Resource Provision:
Supply educational materials, including an instructional video on EBM for mothers to review at home.
Onsite Lactation Support:
On the day of the Caesarean section, a lactation consultant will provide hands-on training for EBM. If mothers express milk, it will be stored and transported to the NNU if necessary, ensuring infants receive their first breast milk within six hours of birth, in line with our current practice.
Result & Outcome :
This project aims to increase the breastfeeding rate among mothers who deliver by Caesarean section. The project has been active for ten months, recruiting a total of 227 cases. The overall breastfeeding rate among these mothers is 87.1%. The proportion of infants receiving their first expressed breast milk (EBM) within six hours has improved from 25.97% in 2024 to an average of 32.20%, reaching a peak of 41.57% during the ten-month period. Among mothers who delivered by Caesarean section, the overall breastfeeding rate increased from 83.58% in 2024 to an average of 85.74% up to November 2025. Notably, the exclusive breastfeeding rate among Caesarean section mothers has increased by 50%, rising from 3.15% to 4.73%. These results are very encouraging and demonstrate the positive impact of the program.
This project highlights the importance of early intervention and education in
promoting breastfeeding among Caesarean section mothers, facilitating a smoother transition to breastfeeding and improving maternal infant bonding.
