View clinical trials related to Lactation.
Filter by:Presently, the literature addressing the relationship between epidural analgesia and likelihood of breast-feeding is inconclusive. Numerous studies have found that epidurals, administered prior to vaginal delivery of a full-term, healthy neonate, significantly decrease lactation success at follow-up times ranging from 24 hours to 6 months postpartum. One proposed mechanism is that analgesics, by decreasing maternal pain during labor, decrease maternal endorphin production and result in the transmission of lower endorphin levels to the neonate during breast-feeding. Lower endorphin levels, in turn, may render the neonate less likely to suckle optimally. Other studies have found that epidural analgesia does not significantly decrease lactation success when used during the vaginal delivery of a full-term, healthy neonate. Although most studies to date have compared the breast-feeding success of epidural recipients and non-recipients at various points postpartum, they do not specifically note whether deficient feeding behaviors on the part of the infant contribute to failed breast-feeding. The present study uses the LATCH assessment tool to score the infant's ability to latch onto the breast and the presence of audible swallowing, as well as the mother's level of physical comfort with breast feeding, whether she can successfully position the infant for feeding on her own, and whether her nipples are inverted, everted, or flat. Thus, the LATCH assessment enables the separation of multiple factors that may contribute to breast-feeding failure. A multivariate regression analysis will determine how strongly the probability of breast-feeding at hospital discharge correlates with epidural duration, LATCH scores, and beta-endorphin concentrations in colostrum.
Objective: To determine and compare the effect of low dose estrogen combined hormonal contraceptives and progestin-only contraceptives on lactation. The subjects will be drawn from a healthy obstetric population in each center, where possible preliminary contact during antenatal period. At the postpartum visit, subjects that express their wish for a hormonal contraceptive method will be offered enrollment. After obtaining an informed consent the participants will be allocated according to their free wish to either receive a combined preparation containing 0.02 mg ethylestradiol and 0.15 mg desogestrel (Mercilon, Organon) or a progestin only pill containing 0.075 mg desogestrel (Cerazette, Organon). Demographic, habits and perinatal data will be collected and stored to analysis. Frequency and methods of observation: All women will be followed at 6 (baseline), 9 and 12 weeks post - partum. Instruction will be given as to recording information on intercurrent disease, frequency of nursing and use of complementary formula supplements. Maternal BMI calculation ( weight/height2) will be obtained at first visit. The objective is to compare the capacity of the breast to secrete milk under standard conditions and evaluate the influence of different hormonal contraception means. Thus samples will be collected at 6 weeks (enrollment) and the 9 and 12 weeks visits. An Egnell pump will be used for a maximum of 20 minutes form from both breasts, simulating a regular breast feeding. A total of 10 ml aliquot will be taken for composition analysis and the rest will be offered to the infant. The milk volume/feeding will be estimated and expressed in ml/feeding and multiplied by the number of feedings reported. Outcome variables: Milk volume, infant growth at each visit and biochemical markers of milk analysis : lipid, casein and carbohydrate content
The purpose of the study is to assess the safety and determine the effects of the hormone prolactin on lactation (breast milk production).