Abstract

Objective: This was a descriptive study that was performed to determine knowledge levels of pregnant women about breast milking techniques and storage conditions.

Method: The universe of the study was composed of pregnant women who were admitted to high risk pregnancy outpatient clinic of Ankara Dr Zekai Tahir Burak Women Health Education and Research Hospital between March-July 2016. Sampling included 390 pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria and approved to participate in the study. “Introductory Information Form” was used in the collection of data.

Results: A 74.6% of the women in the study stated that they had heard about breast milking techniques while 54.3% of women with parity ≥1 had not expressed breast milk; and 87.9% of these women told that they knew how to store expressed breast milk. 63.1% of them expressed breast milk using a pump, and 73.8% of them thought that this technique was easier. The proportion of women who received training about feeding with breastmilk was found to be significantly higher among the mothers who started working within the first six months following childbirth compared to unemployed mothers (p=0.042). A statistically significant difference was found between the state of getting information about breast feeding and the education level of pregnant women (p=0.024). It was detected that mothers with a high education level less frequently preferred breastfeeding; but they got more information about breastfeeding.

Conclusions: As a result of the research, it was determined that the vast majority of pregnant women could save breast milk, attend training about breast milk storage, and they would not have difficulties in storage of breast milk after birth. In nursing approaches implemented in the family health centres and hospitals, pregnant women should be informed about breastfeeding, breast milking techniques and milk storage conditions.