OBJECTIVE: To analyse depression and breastfeeding behaviour of overweight/obese and non-obese primipara mothers during their pregnancy and postpartum period. METHODS: The comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at Afyonkarahisar State Hospital, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey, from September 2016 to February 2017, and comprised three follow-ups of overweight/obese and nonobese pregnant women. Data was collected using a personal identification form, and standard postpartum depression and breast feeding definition scales. SPSS 22 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 229 subjects, 110(48%) were overweight/obese and 119(52%) were non-obese. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant regarding the mode of delivery and exclusive breastfeeding (p<0.05). Depression scores of overweight/obese mothers were higher in prenatal period, on the postpartum second day and in the postpartum 4th-6th week (p<0.05). The breastfeeding scores of overweight / obese mothers were low on the postpartum second day and in the postpartum 4th-6th week (p<0.05). There was a negative correlation between depression and breastfeeding scores of all mothers in both prenatal and postpartum periods (p<0.05 each). CONCLUSIONS: Health professionals should support obese women because they carry a risk of prenatal and postpartum depression as well as unsuccessful breastfeeding.
OBJECTIVE: To analyse depression and breastfeeding behaviour of overweight/obese and non-obese primipara mothers during their pregnancy and postpartum period. METHODS: The comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at Afyonkarahisar State Hospital, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey, from September 2016 to February 2017, and comprised three follow-ups of overweight/obese and nonobese pregnant women. Data was collected using a personal identification form, and standard postpartum depression and breast feeding definition scales. SPSS 22 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 229 subjects, 110(48%) were overweight/obese and 119(52%) were non-obese. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant regarding the mode of delivery and exclusive breastfeeding (p<0.05). Depression scores of overweight/obese mothers were higher in prenatal period, on the postpartum second day and in the postpartum 4th-6th week (p<0.05). The breastfeeding scores of overweight / obese mothers were low on the postpartum second day and in the postpartum 4th-6th week (p<0.05). There was a negative correlation between depression and breastfeeding scores of all mothers in both prenatal and postpartum periods (p<0.05 each). CONCLUSIONS: Health professionals should support obesewomen because they carry a risk of prenatal and postpartum depression as well as unsuccessful breastfeeding.