In the present study, out of 736 term neonates, 409 neonates (55.6%) were born by NVDs and the other 327 neonates (44.4%) were born by CSs. The average age of the neonates in the NVD group was 6.85±3.91 days and it was 7.37±4.07 days in the CS group (P= 0.084). The mean birth weight of the neonates in the NVD group was 3206.92±465.25 and it was 3227.00±454.40 g in the CS group.
There were no significant differences between the two delivery methods, in terms of birth weight (P=0.557), current neonatal weight (P=0.588), Apgar score (P=0.534), the duration of breastfeeding (P=0.141), the frequency of defecation per day (P=0.992), the number of maternal deliveries (P=0.387), and maternal education (P=0.742) (Table 1).
However, there were significant differences in terms of the frequency of breastfeeding per day (P=0.002), the frequency of urination per day (P=0.007), the first postpartum defecation time (P=0.027), maternal age (P=0.000), and maternal weight (P=0.002) (Table 1). This means that the frequency of breastfeeding per day, urination per day, and the first post-partum defecation time were higher in the neonates born by NVDs compared to the other group. However, the level of weight loss (g) per day, the percentage of daily weight loss, and maternal age and weight were higher in the CS group than the NVD group.
Examining the type of delivery and neonate’s gender showed no significant relationship between these two variables (P=0.853). In the present study, the chief complaint had a statistically significant relationship with the type of delivery. This means that the most common complaint at the time of referral mentioned by the parents of the neonates born by NVDs and CSs was routine care and poor nutrition, respectively (P=0.004). The fontanel status was significantly correlated with the type of delivery (P=0.012). This means that the rate of inverted fontanels was higher in the neonates in the CS group compared to the other group. Moreover, hyperthermia (P=0.268) and jaundice (P=0.766) were not significantly related to the type of delivery. There was a significant relationship between parental perception of their neonates and the type of delivery (P=0.001). This means that parents of the neonates in the CS group had higher perceptions of their neonates’ condition compared to the parents of the other neonates.

Table 1. A comparison of the means of neonatal, maternal, and laboratory characteristics of the neonates born by NVDs and CSs

The results of the current study showed that the neonates born by normal vaginal deliveries, compared to those delivered by caesarean sections, had a more favorable status, regarding the frequency of breastfeeding, the frequency of urination per day, and the first postpartum defecation time. Moreover, the level of weight loss (g) per day and the percentage of daily weight loss were higher in the neonates born by caesarean sections compared to the other neonates.
Base our finding, breastfeeding began earlier in NVDs than CSs. According to the results of a previously carried out study, maternal hospitalization, maternal return to routine activities, and the initiation of breastfeeding were earlier in NVDs in comparison to CSs (5). Due to the importance of the type of delivery in continuing breastfeeding, having the same room for the mother and her neonate and early breastfeeding, which plays an important role in the neonate’s survival, are recommended to support breastfeeding. In CSs, breastfeeding is delayed due to the use of anesthetics, the passage of the medication through the placenta to the fetus, and the effects of the drug lasting for hours in the body (10). The medications used in CSs affect the neural-behavioral state of the infant and the early onset of breastfeeding. They can delay or suppress lactogenesis and increase the risk of weight loss of infants. An intravenous injection of opioids during childbirth may affect the neonate’s normal reflexes for breast search in the first hours of birth (4). Breastfeeding in the first hours of birth has been emphasized by the WHO as the 4th step of the decuple steps of breastfeeding success in a child-friendly hospital (11). Therefore, early feeding is delayed in CSs and this may be problematic for the neonate and her mother as it may delay the letdown reflex of milk and lead to more weight loss and more breast problems (7,8).
    In the current study, the frequency of breastfeeding was higher in the neonates born by NVDs. Neonatal dehydration is most commonly seen in neonates who breastfed less than eight times a day. Frequent breastfeeding on the first few days usually results in easier milk flow, less weight loss, and less jaundice in the neonate (12). Breastfeeding should be based on the neonate’s request. Neonates should be breastfed at least 8 to 10 times per 24 hours until breastfeeding maintenance (until fourteen days of life). Successful breastfeeding is characterized by increased urination and defecation frequencies and adequate weight gain (13). A study showed that controlling neonate’s weight, the frequency of breastfeeding, breastfeeding status, breast changes during breastfeeding, and urination and defecation may be effective in early detection of reduced milk intake and controlling its complications (14). Breastfeeding is expected to be relatively adequate by the fourth day of birth; however, inadequate breastfeeding at the first day of birth may delay milk flow and reduce neonate’s weight (15). Repeated breastfeeding, depending on the neonate’s needs, should not be less than eight times a day, contributing to the production and release of milk and continuing it (16). Unlimited nutrition, depending on the neonate’s demand, works well for both mother and her neonate. For neonates, the most significant effect is to receive more milk, gain weight, and lower bilirubin levels during the first few days of birth, and for mothers, it prevents congestion and nipple fissures (17). It seems that due to great maternal consciousness and preparation at NVDs, breastfeeding begins earlier and continues with confidence, leading to improved maternal and neonatal health.
In this study, the neonates who were born by CSs had a 1.5 times greater daily weight loss than those born by NVDs. Inappropriate breastfeeding status caused by CSs or breast pain not only can reduce breastfeeding, but also can exacerbate breastfeeding problems that lead to weight loss and renal failure. Therefore, paying attention to breastfeeding status and causes that may disrupt proper breastfeeding is important and correcting them may prevent the neonate from less breastfeeding in the first few days of his/her life and, thereby, reduce the risk of renal failure (18). Significant maternal and neonatal consciousness at birth, maternal preparation for breastfeeding during labor, fast and more appropriate mother-to-child communication, early initiation of breastfeeding, and more frequent breastfeeding in NVD compared to CS lead to more appropriate weight gain and reduce weight loss.
In the present study, the frequency of urination per day was higher in the neonates in the NVD group than the other group. Reducing the frequency of breastfeeding per day, shorter breastfeeding duration, greater severity of weight loss, less frequent urination and defecation are risk factors for maternal and neonatal renal failure (18).
The results of a study demonstrated that neonates born by CS did not have immediate skin-to-skin contact with their mother after birth, so they received less milk at the first hour of birth compared to those born by NVD. In general, the neonates born by CSs received less milk in the delivery room (19); therefore, the frequency of urination also decreased. If this decrease in breastfeeding continues, the neonatal kidney tries to reabsorb sodium in the urine and keep the liquid, as a defense mechanism, and the subtle discharge of fluids from the lungs and body due to insufficient maturation of the neonate’s skin may exacerbate dehydration. If this decrease continues, it leads to renal failure and hypernatremia in the neonate (20). The decrease in urination frequency in the CS-born neonates indicated that in addition to losing weight in the first weeks, special attention should also be paid to the neonates’ urinary output, which may be an indication of the adequacy of breast milk. Decreased urination frequency is an early sign of inadequate breastfeeding (18). Since urination and defecation are signs of sufficient breastfeeding, it is important to control the frequency of urination in neonates to prevent hypernatremic dehydration (21).
In the current study, the maternal age of those who underwent CSs was higher than the mothers who had NVDs. This finding is similar to the results of a study carried out by Boskabadi et al. (2014) (8). In recent decades, maternal age at delivery has increased just like the rate of CSs. It is unclear whether the increase in the rate of CSs is due to medical complications caused by maternal age or due to maternal age itself (22). In the study of Koray et al., the rate of NVDs was higher in mothers under 18 years of age and the rate of CS was higher in mothers who were older than 35 years old (23). In the study of Rydahl et al., and another study by Osmundson et al., the rate of cesarean section increased with increasing maternal age (24,25).

The results of the current study showed that the neonates born by normal vaginal deliveries, compared to those delivered by caesarean sections, had a more favorable status, regarding the frequency of breastfeeding, the frequency of urination per day, and the first postpartum defecation time. Moreover, the level of weight loss (g) per day and the percentage of daily weight loss were higher in neonates born by caesarean sections compared to other neonates.

This article was derived from a research plan approved by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences under the ethical code of IR.MUMS.MEDICAL.REC.1398.280. The authors would like to express their gratitude to the Research Vice-Chancellor, Research Director, and other authorities of the university, as well as all those who helped them in carrying out this project.

Authors declared no conflict of interests.