Características da gravidez e lactação de mulheres atendidas em um banco de leite humano

Abstract

Objective: to identify the characteristics of pregnancy and lactation of women who sought a human milk bank and the reasons that motivated these mothers to use the service. Methods: This is a study carried out at the Human Milk Bank (BLH) of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Franca Foundation. 60 women were recruited who answered a questionnaire to obtain information about pregnancy, breastfeeding and the reasons that led them to the milk bank. Results: The participants underwent prenatal care in an adequate number of consultations and were on average 25 (6.1) years old. The most reported gestational symptoms were nausea / vomiting (71.7%) and pica (60%). The greatest food aversion reported was meat intake (42.3%). Among the factors that led women to seek HMB, the help to stimulate milk production or to donate it stood out. 58% of the women were on exclusive breastfeeding and the remainder said they were waiting for the milk to drop or were distant from the babies, who were in the intensive care center. Some babies younger than 2 months received water, teas and porridge early. Conclusion: mothers resorted to HMB due to breastfeeding problems, despite prenatal guidance. Some needed support to stimulate milk production. The importance of BLH goes beyond making milk available to children who could not be breastfed by their mothers, but also for providing instruction and support to breastfeeding mothers, in addition to encouraging breastfeeding.