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Preliminary observations on the return of ovarian function among breast-feeding and post-partum non-breast-feeding women in a rural area of Mexico

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 September 2011

Roberto Rivera
Affiliation:
Instituto de Investigacion Cientifica, Universidad Juarez del Estado de Durango, Mexico
Eva Ortiz
Affiliation:
Instituto de Investigacion Cientifica, Universidad Juarez del Estado de Durango, Mexico
Margarita Barrera
Affiliation:
Instituto de Investigacion Cientifica, Universidad Juarez del Estado de Durango, Mexico
Kathy Kennedy
Affiliation:
Family Health International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
Pouru Bhiwandiwala
Affiliation:
Family Health International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA

Summary

The relationship between the return of menstruation and ovulation and the pattern of breast-feeding was studied in a group of 29 women in a rural area of Mexico; eight non-breast-feeding post-partum women were also studied. The return of ovulation was assessed by weekly determinations of urinary pregnanediol. The number of suckling episodes and supplementary feeds was recorded. The cumulative probability of resumption of menses for the breast-feeders was 28% and 52% at 3 and 6 months, respectively, and for the non-breast-feeders was 75% and 88%. The cumulative probability of ovulation for the breast-feeders was 28%, 66%, 69% and 72% at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, respectively, and for the non-breast-feeders was 50% and 100% at 3 and 6 months. The earlier the introduction of supplements the earlier the return of ovulation. The nonovulatory subjects maintained a higher frequency of suckling episodes than did the ovulatory subjects. The cumulative probability of pregnancy for the breast-feeders was 3%, 7%, 7% and 10% at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, respectively, and for the non-breast-feeders was 13%, 38% and 50% at 3, 6 and 9 months.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1985

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