Women's views of counselling received in connection with breast-feeding after reduction mammoplasty

The aim of this study was to generate a theoretical model of the experience s of women, who had undergone reduction mammoplasty, of counselling receive d in connection with breast-feeding. Data were collected through interviews with 12 breast-reduced women who had given birth to a child, and the mater ial was analysed by means of the grounded theory method. Written permission to post notices at the child welfare centres had been obtained from the pr imary care managers. The women themselves applied for participation in the study. The results showed that their need for counselling from somebody who listened attentively to them and gave advice in connection with breast-fee ding, was considerable. The women could have a feeling of self-reliance, am bivalence, acceptance or guilt, depending on the extent to which they perce ived to have received counselling from their family members. At the same ti me, their experiences of the encounter with the nursing staff were of cruci al importance. Lack of active listening and counselling from the nursing st aff can be counterbalanced by support from relatives. However, when such su pport is not forthcoming, the nursing staff must be able to support the wom en in their role of a mother, which requires that education and supervision are given to the staff. The findings of the study can be used as a basis f or further research into the need for support of the families concerned.