Table 2 Results from self-reported questionnaires collected from participants at baseline after they had just received labour epidural analgesia and at 5–9 weeks postpartum

  State anxiety score

36.0 ± 8.93

38.2 ± 12.55

36.4 ± 9.77

  Trait anxiety score

37.5 ± 6.41

38.8 ± 8.56

37.7 ± 6.90

  Total score

73.5 ± 14.19

77.0 ± 19.87

74.2 ± 15.51

  State anxiety score

30.0 ± 8.88

30.7 ± 9.48

30.2 ± 8.99

  Trait anxiety score

35.0 ± 7.14

36.0 ± 8.00

35.2 ± 7.32

  Total score

65.1 ± 15.21

66.7 ± 16.72

65.4 ± 15.51

  At baseline

7.0 ± 3.76

7.7 ± 5.33

7.2 ± 4.13

  At 5–9 weeks postpartum

2.7 ± 3.79

3.3 ± 4.35

2.8 ± 3.91

Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (at baseline)

42.4 ± 34.30

48.5 ± 41.74

43.7 ± 35.99

Perceived Stress Scale (at baseline)

18.9 ± 4.60

19.3 ± 5.21

19.0 ± 4.72

 Rumination score

8.2 ± 4.34

8.7 ± 4.67

8.3 ± 4.40

 Magnification score

4.3 ± 2.86

5.1 ± 3.15

4.4 ± 2.93

 Helplessness score

9.4 ± 6.17

10.1 ± 6.06

9.6 ± 6.15

 Total score

22.6 ± 12.59

24.5 ± 12.67

23.0 ± 12.61

 Help from lactation consultant during hospital stay

105 (39.9)

18 (27.3)

123 (37.4)

 Help from ward nurse during hospital stay

218 (82.9)

52 (78.8)

270 (82.1)

 Attended lactation clinic

12 (4.6)

1 (1.5)

13 (4.0)

 Contacted hospital helpline

5 (1.9)

2 (3.0)

7 (2.1)

 Not at all

11 (4.2)

8 (12.1)

19 (5.8)

 Insufficient milk supply

50 (75.8)

 Participant’s volition

22 (33.3)

 Difficulty with latching onto breast

8 (12.1)

 Medical reasons (either baby or mother)

6 (9.1)

 Fatigue/Tiredness

5 (7.6)

 Need to return to work after maternity leave

6 (9.1)

 Sore nipples

1 (1.5)

 Lack of breastfeeding facilities at workplace

1 (1.5)