Effect of Almond Oil Breast massage on Breast Milk Secretion among Post Natal Mothers after Cesarean Section.

Background: Cesarean Section is a surgical intervention, which is performed to guarantee the safety of mother and her baby when vaginal delivery is not feasible. Delayed breastfeeding initiation and increased challenges with breastfeeding in women with cesarean section may be linked to the physiologic effect on lacto-genesis. Almond oil is used in complementary medicine spheres for its many health advantages. Almond oil massage over the breast with the goal of improving health promotes relaxation and clears the breast ducts which in turn enhance lactation in breastfeeding mothers. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of almond oil breast massage on breast milk secretion among post-natal mothers after cesarean section. Design: A quasi-experimental research design was utilized in this study. Setting: The study was conducted at the postnatal unit at Damanhour Medical National Institute. Subjects: a convenient sample of 80 postnatal mothers to whom cesarean sections had been performed and fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected from the previously mentioned setting. Tools: Three tools were used for data collection. The first tool was basic data structured interview schedule to identify women’s socio-demographic data, reproductive history, information about the current pregnancy and birth, breastfeeding history and information about breastfeeding. The second tool was the breast milk adequacy questionnaire. The third tool was a UNICEF- based breast feeding assessment. Results: On measuring the total score of breast milk adequacy on the 4th day before intervention, and on the 5th day after intervention. All subjects (100%) of the study and the control groups had inadequate breast milk secretions before intervention on the 4th day. While the majority (80% & 87.5%) of the two groups, respectively, had moderate breast milk secretions after intervention on the 5th day. A highly statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in relation to the adequacy of breast milk secretion on the 8th day after intervention for the favor of study group where (P=0.000). Conclusion: Application of almond oil breast massage seems to be effective in increasing breast milk secretion among postnatal mothers after cesarean sections. Recommendations: Encourage in-service training programs for nurses in postpartum units about the utilization of non- pharmacological approaches especially using almond oil breast massage to increase breast milk secretion.