Browsing by Author "Mansell, Deborah"
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Item Open Access Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy and the Use of Prescription Medication: A Pilot Study(2011-12-15) Mannion, Cynthia; Mansell, DeborahObjective. To examine the association of self-efficacy, perception of milk production, and lactating women’s use of medication prescribed to increase breast milk in a cohort of 18–40-year-old mothers over six months. Methods. Mothers () attending community clinics completed the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale and the Humenick/Hill Lactation Scale, a measure of perceived milk production, three times. Results. Domperidone, a dopamine antagonist, was used by 28% of participants. On average, those using domperidone had lower self-efficacy scores than those not using it () and were more likely to have used formula (Pearson chi-square test statistic , , ). Breastfeeding self efficacy and perception of milk production were positively correlated. Conclusion. Breastfeeding assessment conducted prior to prescription of galactogogues is recommended for mothers and healthy term babies. Following Baby-Friendly hospital protocols and increasing self-efficacy for lactating women may be most effective in sustaining breastfeeding. Risks and benefits of various galactogogues are discussed.Item Open Access Composing and Recomposing Self as Lesbian Birth Mother: A Narrative Inquiry(2022-12-21) Mansell, Deborah; Estefan, Andrew; dela Cruz, Aniela; Nelson, FionaMotherhood and mothering are dynamic experiences, yet they are often framed within and by heterosexual contexts, positioning lesbian birth mothers as outside “typical” mothering experiences. Most pregnant women in Canada, including lesbian birth mothers receive some formalized prenatal care and give birth in an acute care setting. Despite this, little is known about the experiences of lesbian birth mothers as they interact with healthcare providers and the maternity health and social care systems. Narrative inquiry research is a way to study experience through story and is a way to generate meaningful insights into the experiences of lesbian birth mothers as they negotiate maternity care. Narrative inquiry is a relational, iterative process in which the research data collection and reporting are negotiated with participants and alongside a response community of advisors and experts. In this narrative inquiry, together with three (3) lesbian birth mothers, I explored their experiences with maternity health and social services, family, institutions, and community in the greater Calgary, Alberta area. Three co-composed narrative accounts of the experiences of being a lesbian birth mother are presented, followed by the narrative threads of (1) Lesbian Maternal Wisdom, (2) Functional Infertility or Free to Decide? (3) Shades of Grey; and (4) Whose Space is this Space? In the final chapter, implications and recommendations for practice, research, and policy are made.