Gut health reflected by gut microbiota helps manage diabetes mellitus in pregnant women known as Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). Gut microbiota imbalance during pregnancy induces glucose intolerance and, thereby, gestational diabetes.
Abstract
Problem: Women with gestational diabetes have higher rates of introducing infant formula before leaving hospital. Background: Despite health professional support, less women with gestational diabetes exclusively breastfeed in hospital. Aim: To find factors that positively influence in-hospital exclusive breastfeeding practices among women with gestational diabetes. Methods: An online search was performed in Medline, Scopus, Pubmed, CINAHL and Cochrane databases. Studies containing the keywords gestational diabetes and breastfeeding were retrieved. Findings: Authors identified 1935 papers from search criteria. Twenty-six papers with no restrictions on research design met inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Factors were divided into personal, antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal factors. The main modifiable factors that were associated with improved in-hospital exclusive breastfeeding rates were having a strong intention to breastfeed, being confident, feeling