Management of postpartum breast engorgement in nonbreastfeeding women by mechanical extraction of milk.

The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of milk removal as a method of reducing the discomfort of postpartum breast engorgement in non-breastfeeding women. Because of a small sample, statistical inference is not possible. The results suggest that the mechanical removal of milk is an effective way to increase the comfort and decrease the symptoms of engorgement in women who do not breastfeed their infants. The course ob breast involution was followed in 13 women representing the study sample. Minimal engorgement was experienced by 46% of the subjects. They required only a supportive bra to maintain comfort. A control group (N=3) who experienced engorgement and followed standard management practice was compared to an experimental group (N=4) who used a hand operated breast pump to relieve engorgement symptoms. Tissue resistance was measured in the lactiferous sinuses using the Pressure Gauge Model P-101. Subjective data were recorded concerning harness, discomfort and leakage of milk in the breast. The subjects in the experimental group experienced a shorter, more comfortable course of breast involution. They took no analgesia nor used any other treatment for breast discomfort. There was no evidence of rebound engorgement or lactation stimulation. Other findings not addressed by study questions were described using data collected from the control group. A general pattern of engorgement was described: following an onset the second postpartum day, severe engorgement was sustained for three days with a gradual return to normal on the ninth day. By correlating ht measurements taken with the pressure gauge with clinical symptoms, breast engorgement was categorized according to severity.