Internationellt sett är amningsfrekvensen i dagens Sverige hög, men har minskat något senaste åren. Studier visar att inställningen till amning är positiv, men att kvinnor upplever svårigheter i samband med amning samt en brist på information och stöd. Syftet med fördjupningsarbetet var att belysa gravida kvinnors tankar om amning, amningsinformation och stöd. Studien genomfördes med kvalitativ ansats, där data samlades in genom fokusgruppsintervjuer med 18 gravida kvinnor hösten 2012. Data bearbetades med innehållsanalys. Analysen gav ett övergripande tema; Balans mellan förväntningar och svårigheter. Fem kategorier framkom; Att vara medveten om amningens fördelar, Att vara medveten om svårigheter med amning, Att planera för sin kommande amning, Att påverkas av sin omgivning och Att ha förväntningar på stöd inför kommande amning. Resultatet visade att gravida kvinnor var medvetna om amningens fördelar och svårigheter, omgivningen påverkade deras tankar och kvinnorna ansåg ofta att amningen ”löser sig naturligt”. Tydligast framkom kvinnors känsla av bristande kunskap om amningsproblem och en önskan att få amningsinformation sent i graviditet. Amningsinformation som ges under graviditet bör vara varierad, innehållsrik och förbereda föräldrarna på att amning kan vara påfrestande. Det är viktigt att involvera partnern i information och förberedelser för amning.   Nyckelord: amning, graviditet, amningsstöd, amningsinformation, amningsproblem / Internationally, the frequency of breastfeeding in today`s Sweden is high, but has declined somewhat in recent years. Studies showed that attitudes to breastfeeding were positive, but the difficulties associated with breastfeeding and lack of information and support also emerged. The aim of this master essay was to examine pregnant women`s thoughts about breastfeeding, breastfeeding information and support. The study was conducted with a qualitative approach and, data was collected through focus group interviews with 18 pregnant women in autumn 2012. Data was analysed with a qualitative content analysis. The analysis yielded an overall theme; Balance between individual expectations and difficulties. Five categories emerged; Being aware of breastfeeding benefits, Being aware of the difficulties of breastfeeding, To plan for their next lactation, To be influenced by their surroundings and To have expectations of support for the next lactation. The result showed that pregnant women were aware of breastfeeding benefits and difficulties, that environment affected their thoughts, and that the women often felt that breastfeeding “dissolves naturally”, The results revealed most clearly women`s perceived lack of knowledge about breastfeeding problems and a desire to get breastfeeding information late in the pregnancy. Breastfeeding information given during pregnancy should be varied and, extensive and prepare parents that breastfeeding can be stressful. It is important to involve the partner in information and preparation for breastfeeding.

Disparities in breastfeeding are increasing for Black women in the United States despite initiatives aimed at improving breastfeeding outcomes. As a result, Black communities are not being protected, which is reflected in the disproportionate rates of mortality and morbidity for the Black dyad. Much of the qualitative studies in the literature have focused on the patient experience through focus groups or interviews. However, this information typically is not communicated to the same physicians providing the care in a study. This study aims to change that by obtaining the breastfeeding experiences and perspectives of patients and medical providers in a low-risk prenatal clinic in urban North Philadelphia. The secondary aim is to disseminate patient feedback to providers to develop a realistic call to action specific to that community. Work obligations and perceived necessary lifestyle changes were the patients' most significant barriers to breastfeeding. Patients desire more education from the medical community, but at the same time, providers lack the knowledge, comfort, and time to counsel. What is clear is that the medical system contributes to these poor outcomes; institutionalized barriers add to existing disparities and ultimately worsen the crisis for everyone, with long-term effects on the economy and productivity of the surrounding community and the population. Providers cannot create change by themselves, as breastfeeding disparities have roots in much larger policies and systems, but providers must examine what is in their scope of influence. Future research is needed to explore the effects of empowering Black communities with education regarding workplace laws and addressing myths that reinforce breastfeeding barriers. Medical education must incorporate breastfeeding into its curriculum as the consequences are dire and intersect with many areas of medicine. This research offers hope for change and has led to providers developing proposals for timely and realistic interventions based on community feedback and narratives. / Urban Bioethics

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