Effectiveness of Hot Fomentation Versus Cold Compression on Breast
Engorgement among Postnatal Mothers
Abstract:
Introduction: Breast engorgement is a physiological condition that is characterized by painful
swelling of the breasts caused by insufficient breastfeeding and/or obstruction in milk ducts. Breast
pain during breastfeeding interferes with successful breastfeeding leading to exclusive abandonment
of breastfeeding.
Objectives: The study was conducted to compare the effectiveness between hot fomentation and
cold compression as the treatment of breast engorgement and associate the findings with
demographic variables.
Methods and Materials: One group pretest-posttest design was adopted for the study. Using non
probability purposive sampling technique 60 postnatal mothers from selected hospitals of Pune were
enrolled for the study. They were distributed randomly in two groups and given therapy for three
consecutive days after assessment of breast engorgement. Data collection was accomplished by
interview and direct observation by using Demographic proforma, Wong Backers Facial pain rating
scale and Modified breast engorgement scale. Data was analyzed by using descriptive and
inferential statistics.
Results: Average reduction in pain intensity in cold compression group was 6.1 which was 4.9 in hot
fomentation group. Reduction in pain intensity score of cold compression group was significantly
higher than that for hot fomentation group (p=0.001). Average reduction in breast engorgement
score in cold compression group was 3.6 which was 3.4 in hot fomentation group. Reduction in
breast engorgement score of cold compression group was not significantly higher than that for hot
fomentation group (p=0.116).
Conclusion: Hot fomentation was found more effective in reduction of breast engorgement whereas
cold compression was found more effective in reduction of pain intensity score due to breast
engorgement among postnatal mothers.