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Table 3 Themes from the qualitative data

From: Women’s perspectives on antenatal breast expression: a cross-sectional survey

Participant opinion on ABE

Themes from qualitative data

Second order themes

First order themes

It’s a good idea

Beneficial when mother or baby have medical problems

Helpful if mother:

has gestational diabetes

has pre-existing diabetes

had breast surgery

has low supply

is unwell

has complications after birth

Beneficial if baby:

has low blood sugar

has to go to neonatal unit

is premature

has jaundice

has weight loss

has difficulty feeding

has tongue-tie

Preparation for successful breastfeeding

Gaining confidence with expressing technique

Establishing a supply of milk

Hormone stimulation

Encourage milk production and supply

Avoid the use of formula milk

 

To promote labour

It’s not a good idea

Interfering with nature

Nature gets it right

Milk extraction should be after birth

Using up the colostrum

No need to interfere

Harmful

May induce early labour or miscarriage

Painful

Stressful

Bullying women to do it

I’m not sure if it’s a good idea

Lack of knowledge

Never heard of it

Don’t know of risks/benefits