Publication:

Effectiveness of prenatal teaching on prevention of breast engorgement

Background Breast engorgement is a major issue in the early postpartum period under the influence of hormonal shift and increase milk production. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevention, recognition and management of breast engorgement.

Methods Quasi Experimental, quantitative study conducted in AIMS, Kochi among sixty mothers by Convenience sampling technique. The design used was pre-test post-test control group design. A semi structured knowledge questionnaire, Bristol Breastfeeding Assessment Tool and an Observational checklist were used to collect the data. Prenatal teaching provided to the Experimental group.

Results The mean pre-test knowledge level of control group was 9.83 and the post-test knowledge was 10.03. In the Experimental group, the mean pre-test level was 10.20 and the post-test level is 20.76. The ‘t’ value of control group was 0.71 and that of Experimental group was 12.83 which was highly significant at 0.001 level. There was a significant increase in knowledge score in Experimental group. Comparing the breastfeeding practices regarding positioning and attachment in both groups, showed a significant difference at the level of 0.001 but other two aspects, sucking and swallowing were not significant. Comparing the incidence, 13.3% mothers reported in experimental group whereas 63.3% in the control group, which showed a remarkable decrease in the incidence of breast engorgement in the former group.

Conclusions The prenatal teaching was effective in improving the health of mothers as well as practices of breastfeeding and it helped in reduction of the incidence of breast engorgement.