Maternity Leave Length Impact on Breastfeeding and Postpartum Depression [29N

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: To determine the impact of maternity leave length on breastfeeding duration and postpartum depression rates in active duty service members. METHODS: An IRB approved survey of nine questions was given to patients at the Brooke Army Medical Center Obstetrics and Gynecology clinic. Patients were offered voluntary participation if they had delivered a baby while on active duty in the preceding 20 years. The survey included questions about length of maternity leave, duration of breastfeeding, age at delivery, route of delivery, and whether the patient suffered from postpartum depression. RESULTS: A total of 214 surveys were collected. Fisher's exact test was used to compare rates of breastfeeding and postpartum depression between the two groups. 87% of service members initiated breastfeeding. Among women who had 6 weeks versus 12 weeks of maternity leave, 51.64% versus 56.96% breastfed up to 6 months, p=0.45. The overall rate of postpartum depression was 13.5%. Among women who had 6 weeks versus 12 weeks of maternity leave, 16.1% versus 9.5% reported postpartum depression, p=0.11. CONCLUSION: The ideal maternity leave duration is unknown. With the recent change in the Department of Defense maternity leave policy, we aimed to evaluate the impact this had on breastfeeding and postpartum depression rates. No statistical difference was seen when we compared rates of breastfeeding and postpartum depression in women who had 6 versus 12 weeks of maternity leave. Further research is required to determine the ideal maternity leave duration and best practices to promote breastfeeding and diminish postpartum depression.