Dorota Branecka-Woźniak

Publications of Dorota Branecka-Woźniak

• Reasons for giving up breastfeeding and support during problems with lactation in the north-western part of Poland.

  Authors: Dorota Cwiek, Dorota Branecka-Woźniak, Dorota Fryc, Elzbieta Grochans, Witold Malinowski

  Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis. 01/2010; 56(2):129-32.

  Breastfeeding is the optimal way of feeding for neonates and infants. Its duration is of vital importance for the child's development and health. The World Health Organization recommends exclusiveBreastfeeding is the optimal way of feeding for neonates and infants. Its duration is of vital importance for the child's development and health. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding until the end of the sixth month of life. Many mothers give up breastfeeding earlier than recommended. Professional and non-professional support plays a great role in motivation to start and continue breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to determine how long infants from Szczecin, the capital city of the North-Western region of Poland, are breastfed, what are the reasons for giving up breastfeeding, and whether mothers obtain support in case of problems with lactation. One hundred randomly chosen mothers with children aged 12-18 months, living in Szczecin, were examined. A questionnaire was administered to the mothers during a direct interview. Prior to the interview, consent of the mothers to participate in the study was obtained. More than 8% of the mothers gave up breastfeeding during the first month after delivery, 68% were breastfeeding till the end of the third month, 31.5% were breastfeeding till the end of the sixth month, and only 2% continued to breastfeed for one year or longer. The most frequent reasons for giving up breastfeeding were: return to work (43.4%), small volume of milk (29.3%) and child's reluctance to suck (18.5%). 62% of breastfeeding women benefited from support during lactation problems but only 6% visited an outpatient breastfeeding service or joined a breastfeeding mothers support group. Support was obtained from the family midwife (37%), pediatrician (32%), and midwife at an outpatient clinic (25.8%). Most women (74.2%) were satisfied with the support. (1) It is necessary to promote breastfeeding so that all women could decide to start breastfeeding after childbirth. 2. As the percentage of women who continue breastfeeding after the sixth month of the infant's life is unsatisfactory, mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed longer. (3) A system of professional lactation support for breastfeeding mothers should be developed.

• [Women's opinions regarding gynaecological examination in a hospital]

  Authors: Katarzyna Szymoniak, Dorota Cwiek, Elwira Berezowska, Dorota Branecka-Woźniak, Iwona Dzióbek, Witold Malinowski

  Ginekologia polska. 08/2009; 80(7):498-502.

  A visit to the gynaecologist is connected with considerable embarrassment and stress for most women. AIM OF THE RESEARCH: To ascertain patients' opinions about gynaecological examination, frequencyA visit to the gynaecologist is connected with considerable embarrassment and stress for most women. AIM OF THE RESEARCH: To ascertain patients' opinions about gynaecological examination, frequency of visits, and doctors' attitudes towards patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A hundred women from Western-Pomeranian region underwent an anonymous examination. The women were divided into three age groups: 20-40, 41-60 and 61+. The study was carried out in two hospital clinics of the Pomeranian Medical University: the Clinic of Procreation and Gynaecology and the Clinic of Obstetric and Gynaecology, between 2006-2007. RESULTS: 70% of the respondents find the gynaecological examination embarrassing and stressful. According to patients, the most unpleasant moment during their visit to the gynaecologist is time spent in the gynaecological chair (47%) and preparation for the examination (30%), whereas the least embarrassing moment is the gynaecological examination itself (21%). However, the most embarrassing moment of the examination is vaginal examination (40%), rectal examination (33%), colposcopy (27%), and breast examination (2%). All the women stated that gynaecological examination is necessary; with 40% of them having examinations once every twelve months, 32% once every six months, 9% once every twenty-four months and 19% even more seldom. Sense of safety and psychical comfort during the examination is ensured by the presence of a qualified midwife (46%), presence of another doctor (9%), privacy (only the doctor and the patient are present) (36%). 53% of the respondents stated that the doctor ensures intimacy during the examination and 47% gave negative answer. Analysis of the doctor's gender indicated that 56% women prefer to be examined by a woman, 37% by a man, and 7% find the gender to be of no importance. The respondents would prefer if the doctor were nice, good-tempered and communicative. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Gynaecological examination is embarrassing and stressful for women and that is why patients expect the gynaecologist to ensure intimacy and sense of safety during the examination, as well as a pleasant individual approach to a patient, and presence of a midwife. (2) The most embarrassing moment is climbing to the gynaecological chair and the most unpleasant moment is the vaginal examination. (3) The fact that women go to the gynaecologist so rarely is particularly worrisome.

• [Self-care and demand for social support in women with infertility].

  Authors: Dorota Cwiek, Dorota Branecka-Woźniak, Dorota Fryc, Elzbieta Grochans, Magdalena Rygielska

  Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis. 01/2009; 55(2):35-8.

  The prevalence of infertility among married couples is growing. It is estimated that every fifth married couple in Poland is infertile. Infertility is often a source of significant stress for theThe prevalence of infertility among married couples is growing. It is estimated that every fifth married couple in Poland is infertile. Infertility is often a source of significant stress for the spouses. It is therefore important to provide professional support, demonstrate interest, listen to the problem, and be present in difficult moments. Social support considerably reduces the feeling of abandonment, fosters self-care, accelerates recovery, strengthens coping, and helps modify views and habits or attitudes towards treatment. The aim of this study was to assess self-care in women with infertility and to identify the most common sources of social support. The study group consisted of 100 women diagnosed or treated for infertility at the Department of Reproduction and Gynecology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin. The diagnostic poll was done with the aid of a standardised research tool--the Social Support Scale Questionnaire by Danuta Zarzycka. The study protocol was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Pomeranian Medical University. The study was performed between July 2005 and March 2007. (1) Self-care in women with infertility is adequate. (2) Women with infertility usually expect professional support from a physician; the role of the nurse is undervalued. Thus, the role of the nurse and midwife needs further promotion.