Karen F. Phillips

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of life due to the benefits it offers to both baby and mother. Although breastfeeding initiation rates are high, breastfeeding continuation rates at six and twelve months and exclusive breastfeeding rates remain lower than Healthy People recommendations. The purpose of this study was to determine if postpartum fatigue had any impact on the success of exclusive breastfeeding when comparing birth methods. Although postpartum fatigue has been reported as a common occurrence, less is known about its effect on exclusive breastfeeding rates. A quasi-experimental study with 157 participants was completed to evaluate the effect of postpartum fatigue on exclusive breastfeeding rates at discharge using the Visual Analog Scale to Evaluate Fatigue (VAS-F). Both mothers who delivered vaginally and by cesarean section took part in this study at no less than one day after delivery. One hundred percent of mothers in the study reported varying levels of fatigue postpartum, with 47% breastfeeding exclusively. An independent samples T-test compared fatigue levels in vaginal and cesarean births. Statistical significance was noted in that cesarean section mothers were more fatigued than those who gave birth vaginally (p=0.015). Findings from a chi squared test showed exclusive breastfeeding rates in women who gave birth vaginally higher than cesarean section (χ2=12.47,p<.01) suggesting exclusive breastfeeding rates were dependent on birth type. Further research needs to be completed to determine what education or strategies relative to postpartum fatigue need to be identified to diminish the effects of postpartum fatigue which could lead to improved exclusive breastfeeding rates.