Structured antenatal education programs are commonly recommended for pregnant women and their partners by healthcare professionals in many parts of the world. Aim of the study: To evaluate the effectiveness of antenatal education on early first hour skin-to-skin contact (FSSC) at birth and on the practice of exclusive breastfeeding over the first 6 months of life. Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 200 women during the last trimester in pregnancy; these were randomly assigned into two groups. Group A included 100 pregnant women whom received antenatal counseling with intense preparation to demand FSSC from their birth attendant, while group B did not. The proportion of women practiced FSSC and initiating breast feeding within one hour of birth was then assessed and both groups were compared. All mothers were followed up over the first 6 months after labour for the practice of exclusive breast feeding. Results: In group A 39%practiced FSSC and 27% initiated breast feeding within one hour of birth but in the group B no one practiced FSSC, the difference was statistically significant. (p= |
