ArticleInternational breastfeeding journal2023
Teaching antenatal hand expression: a feasibility study in an inner urban U.S. hospital.
Article in International breastfeeding journal, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 10 citations in OpenAlex.
- The efficacy and the safety of antenatal breastmilk expression on breastfeeding outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2026Pooled it
- Information and practices of antenatal colostrum expression: a cross-sectional study of pregnant women in Norway.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2026Article
- Effect of antenatal breast milk expression or postnatal dietary intervention on breastfeeding outcomes and human milk composition in women with excess weight: protocol for the Ready, Set, Nourish study, a randomized controlled trial.Frontiers in nutrition · 2026Article
- A Longitudinal Observation of Antenatal Milk Expression in Mothers of Infants with Congenital Anomalies.Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine · 2024Observational
- Antenatal Breast Milk Expression Survey of Individuals Whose Pregnancy Was Complicated by Diabetes: Exploring Knowledge, Perceptions, Experiences, and Milk Volume Expressed.American journal of perinatology · 2024Article
- Prenatal Breastfeeding Education with or without Hand Expressing Human Milk and Breastfeeding Duration in a Rural Population.Nutrients · 2024Observational
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundMany women have low confidence in breastfeeding and have concerns regarding low milk volume or discomfort with breastfeeding. Antenatal hand expression may be an opportunity to help women feel more comfortable with breastfeeding and help promote exclusive breastfeeding. A study at a hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. assessed the feasibility of teaching antenatal hand expression at 39 weeks among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, overall participant satisfaction and adoption of hand expression and breastfeeding.
methodsFrom March 2020 to June 2021, women recruited at 34-39 weeks were taught to hand express, collect, and store colostrum. Starting from 39 weeks, participants were asked to practice hand expression 1-3 times / day until delivery, log their experiences, and store colostrum expressed. Women were contacted to encourage continued hand expression and answer any questions. Postpartum, a survey assessed satisfaction with hand expression and issues encountered. The survey also inquired about breastfeeding plans and barriers, and whether women were exclusively breastfeeding (defined as infants who received only breastmilk from the time of birth). Chart review of postpartum or well-baby visit notes determined whether women continued breastfeeding.
resultsOf the 29 participants, 72% (21/29) reported hand expressing at home, and no women reported contractions when hand expressing. Participants rated mean satisfaction of 8.1/10 (SD = 1.62) with antenatal hand expression, mean satisfaction of 9.4/10 (SD = 0.90) toward hand expression education, mean likelihood of 9.4/10 (SD = 1.24) recommending hand expression to others, and a mean score of 8.1/10 (SD = 1.69) on how helpful hand expression was in breastfeeding initiation. 90% (26/29) of women initiated breastfeeding after birth and 72% (21/29) exclusively breastfed on discharge, but only 11/29 (38%) continued exclusively breastfeeding when re-assessed 4-6 weeks postpartum. Barriers included maternal discomfort, low milk supply, and maternal or infant illness.
conclusionsThis study suggests that women in an urban setting would be willing to practice antenatal hand expression. A larger and adequately powered study could be feasible to determine associations between antenatal hand expression and breastfeeding rates and confidence.
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