Effectiveness of Reverse Pressure Softening Technique on Level of Breast Engorgement among Post-Partum Mothers at Selected Hospitals of Bagalkot

Background: Breast feeding remains the simplest, healthiest and least expensive feeding method that fulfills the baby’s needs. Approximately after giving birth the women’s breasts fill with milk, which is a natural process and makes breast heavy and swollen but under normal circumstances. Breast engorgement develops in 72% - 85% in postnatal mothers, which is painful and unpleasant condition. In order to reduce breast engorgement Reverse pressure softening technique may be very effective intervention. Methods: A quantitative evaluative approach, True experimental pre -test –post –test control groups design was used for present study. The sample for the study consists of 60 postnatal mothers with breast engorgement, equally segregated to both groups, selected by simple random sampling technique. Six point breast engorgement Scale was used to assess the level of breast engorgement of postnatal mothers in both groups. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Inferential and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The mean pretest value of breast engorgement of postnatal mothers for experimental and control group was 4.67 and 4.90 respectively. The mean post test score was 3.10 and 4.53 for the experimental and control group respectively. The comparison was done between two groups by performing the independent ‘t’ test value was 6.843 at p<0.05. The variable family monthly income was found significant association. Conclusion: The study shows that the Reverse pressure softening technique is effective in reducing breast engorgement among postnatal mothers.