Care of Breast in Pregnant and Lactating Females

Abstract

Abstract Background Brest feeding is an important process that’s not only important for baby nutrition but also it strengthens the relation between the mother and her baby. Female breast undergoes multiple physiological changes during pregnancy and lactation.if the female not well educated about them and how to deal with them it will be a source of great horror to the female and her family as they consider any pain or unknown change in the breast as cancer until proved otherwise. Objective To assess breast care during pregnancy and its preparation for lactation and the value of this care in preventing breast infection. Patients and Methods This is a prospective study included 85 female patients coming to breast clinic and obstetric clinic of El Demerdash Hospital from September 2017 to August 2018. 40 of them presented during the third trimester of their pregnancy and the remaining 45 presented during lactation period. Sixty –three of them were multipara, the others were primigravida. Thirty of them gave a history of problems with previous lactation. Results In our research, females who came and were followed during pregnancy were educated about the importance of breast feeding to the baby and to the mother during their visits to the obstetric clinic. They were taught how to take care of their breast preparing it for safe and comfortable nursing. 35% of them were previously suffered from breast engorgement in previous lactation but when they followed our instructions about 27% of them developed breast engorgement which relieved rapidly without progressing to further complications. Also 5% previously developed breast abscess which was avoided in current study. We had also two of our participants that had retracted nipple one of them had previous experience of lactation that stopped shortly after birth but when we reassure her and learn her how to prepare her nipples by gentle massage, lubricants and use of plastic shells after delivery she could overcome her problem and continue breast feeding. Females who came during lactation were not prepared properly during pregnancy and 44% of them suffered from breast engorgement which was relieved with proper management but one of them developed breast abscess. Conclusion Every female have to learn about the right position of nursing and how to make proper care of her breasts and when she has to seek medical advice. This will help her to adapt the act of nursing and overcome any annoying problem that she may face during this period.