Incidence of Breast Engorgement at a Higher Rate than the Use of Breast Binders - Research Paper Example

? Swift Nursing Interventions along with Adequate Patient Teaching Decrease the Incidence of Breast Engorgement at a Higher Rate than the use of Breast Binders Name Institution Course For many first time and second time mothers, the initial days of breastfeeding usually present the occurrence of breast engorgement. A condition called ‘breast engorgement’ can threaten to devastate the mother with intense pain and discomfort. There are both medical and non-medical methods suggested as potential remedies to breast engorgement. Some of these include the use of cabbage leaves or alternative creams with cabbage extract, use of breast binders and provision of medical and non-medical support by nurses. However, this paper intends to analyze the effectiveness of swift nursing interventions along adequate patient teaching in relieving engorgement compared to the use of binders. After the comparison, the paper will highlight the best alternative for relieving engorgement. Research Question The research question in this case was to analyze whether the swift action from nurses in offering support pregnant patients before and immediately after delivery can help them in handling engorgement. On the other hand, the paper will analyze the efficiency of breast binders in minimizing the pain brought about by the condition. Mothers face a lot of anxiety after birth, and often need reassurance from informed nurses that they can handle the breastfeeding experience. The action from nurses also involves highlighting the crucial breastfeeding tips to mothers. Therefore, the intervention from nurses must come along adequate patient teaching. This research seeks to examine whether both medical and non-medical support from nurses is more efficient in reducing breast engorgement in comparison to the advocated use of breast binders. The Search Process The EBSCO database proved to be a reliable source because it provides a wide range of resources. However, it was essential to customize the advanced search settings in order to get access to the most relevant range of articles. Therefore, limits for results included full text research articles, peer reviewed and from journals. Moreover, other limits included customizing the geographical setting to United States of America and limiting the search to articles dated 2007 to 2012. The search words were ‘breast engorgement’. Numerous articles addressing this issue appeared. Among these articles, five proved relevant to the issue and served as reliable sources for this search. The use of CINAHL database proved very resourceful because of the vast collection of nursing articles from renowned journals. How Engorgement Results In the first few days after birth when the baby begins to breastfeed, the milk may not flow easily. In this initial phase of the breastfeeding process, colostrum flows out to supply the baby with both nutritional and immunological components. However, its flow presents irregularities. At first, the mother may not succeed to feed the baby despite her efforts. However, with time the milk may flow to the breast in large amounts. The sudden inflow may cause the breast to swell and become tender. For many mothers, the breastfeeding experience ranging from the anxieties to the pain of engorgement may prove unbearable. Strong (2011) highlights that the pain of engorgement may extend for the initial six days under normal cases, but pain occurring beyond the first week of breastfeeding has other causes. A pregnant patient will require this knowledge prior to delivery. Critical understanding of the causes and remedies of engorgement is an important aspect to each pregnant patient. The pregnant patient requires relevant information concerning the implications of both natural birth and caesarian option concerning engorgement. Nurse Interventions and Adequate Patient Teaching According to Martucci (2012), the entire procedure of initiating breastfeeding can be a lot easier if nurses present the mothers with relevant information on breastfeeding. The article highlights that the perspective that the mother nurtures about motherhood will affect her willingness to bear with the challenges of breastfeeding. However, the article mentions the criticality of the role of nurses in imparting the relevant knowledge about breastfeeding challenges. It is important for nurses to think proactively and utilize the time before birth in helping mothers adopt positive attitudes. The author believes that nurses should also offer the necessary encouragement to the mothers to ensure they overcome any breastfeeding challenges. In order for nurses to play that role effectively, they need to establish good relationships with the mothers. Through this relationship, they can get the opportunity of inculcating relevant knowledge that could shape the attitude of the mother towards breastfeeding. The article concludes by recommending adequate patient teaching and nurse intervention as a potential remedy to breastfeeding challenges including engorgement. Phillip (2011) ascertained that the type of support that mothers receive determines how they cope with the challenges of breastfeeding. He highlights examples of mothers who went through the pain that results from engorgement in their breastfeeding initial period but with relevant support, they managed to overcome. Some mothers describe the perception they had towards the entire process. They describe the distress, despair, nipple soreness, and engorgement that they suffered as they tried breastfeeding for the first time. For those who received sufficient support, they were able to overcome the initial challenges and adopted the exclusive breastfeeding habit in the initial months. On the other side, lack of sufficient support only made some mothers overwhelmed by the entire process and they refrained from making any breastfeeding attempts. As the author highlights, breastfeeding is a process that needs learning. For most of the new mothers, the experience proves contrary to their expectations. The interviews carried out by the author serve to emphasize the role that nurses can play in preparing mothers for the procedure and helping them overcome the pressure that comes with the challenge. According to Strong (2011), the contribution of nurses is critical in helping mothers cope with the challenges of initiating breastfeeding. This article defines the contribution of nurses as essential support that encourages them to breastfeed. The article describes engorgement, mastitis and other causes of pain that may distress a mother in the initial stages. However, the author outlines how the support from nurses may prove effective in helping mothers get over the pain. The support from nurses comprises both encouragement and medical support. Medical support may involve the prescription of the most effective anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers. Reassuring mothers that they can overcome the challenges involved in breastfeeding can keep them motivated. Moreover, it prepares them psychologically for the anticipated challenges. Therefore, it is important for the nurses to inform them of the challenges prior to the experience. Such support will serve to diminish the anxieties. It is important for nurses to be proactive and make initial steps in preparing mothers for the setbacks in breastfeeding. The pain that results from engorgement and other causes affects the mother psychosocially. Therefore, adequate preparation can give the mother hope beyond the challenges. Mulder and Johnson (2010) discuss the reasons why some mothers find it difficult to breastfeed. While some mothers have a pre-formed attitude that they cannot provide enough for the baby, others cannot tolerate the pain in the nipple or the entire breast during breastfeeding. There are many physical changes associated with lactation, as the authors highlight, and mothers need sufficient support from nurses in order to ease the discomfort. The nipples may become sore and in other women, the entire breast hardens and swells with the flow of milk leading to breast engorgement. Sore nipples result from the struggle of a baby to get a firm grip on the breast tissue in cases of engorgement. Results from the study revealed that the physical changes occurring during initial stages of breastfeeding determined whether a mother adopted regular breastfeeding pattern or opted for nutritional formulas for the baby. As the articles depict, nurses could alter the experience positively by offering relevant support and making it easier for the mothers to handle the distress and minimize engorgement. Breast Binding Swift and Janke (2008) sought to determine whether breast binders could offer a faster relief to the pain of engorgement in mothers. Some pregnant patients often consider this as a potential relief to prevent engorgement after delivery. The common use of breast binder is among women who seek to flatten their breasts. For some mothers seeking to achieve lactation suppression, they bind their breasts with different forms of binders. In the study carried out by Swift and Janke (2008), it became evident that binders resulted to more breast tenderness and leakage. With such evidence, then it is only rational to conclude that binders would worsen the tenderness that occurs during engorgement. Increasing the level of tenderness would lengthen the period of engorgement. The comparison between the two approaches brings out clear evidence that can determine future practice. It is critical for pregnant patients to realize that breast binders only worsen the situation of engorgement, and opt for help and support from nurses. Since engorgement can cause serious problems in uncontrolled cases. Therefore, the swift action of nurses along with teaching the pregnant patients proves to be a reliable remedy for breast engorgement. When nurses act swiftly and proactively, they are in a position to enlighten the pregnant patient on the potential breastfeeding challenges and potential remedies. Moreover, medical support from nurses can include drugs that reduce inflammation and pain. A mother who receives adequate care and support from nurses stands a better chance of overcoming and decreasing breast engorgement compared to mothers relying on breast binders. References Martucci. J. (2012). Maternal expectations: new mothers, nurses, and breastfeeding. Nursing History Review, 2072-102. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/1062-8061.20.72 Mulder, P., & Johnson, T. (2010). The Beginning Breastfeeding Survey: measuring mothers' perceptions of breastfeeding effectiveness during the postpartum hospitalization. Research In Nursing & Health, 33(4), 329-344. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/nur.20384 Phillips, K. F. (2011). First-Time Breastfeeding Mothers: Perceptions and Lived Experiences with Breastfeeding. International Journal Of Childbirth Education, 26(3), 17-20. Strong, G. D. (2011). Provider Management and Support for Breastfeeding Pain. JOGNN: Journal Of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 40(6), 753-764. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6909.2011.01303.x Swift, K., & Janke, J. (2008). Breast binding... is it all that it's wrapped up to be?. JOGNN: Journal Of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 32(3), 332-339. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1177 Read More