Effectiveness of Green Cabbage Leaves (GCL) and Hot Water Bag (HWB) Application on Breast Engorgement in Postnatal Mothers

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of GCL and HWB application in reduction of breast engorgement and pain among the postnatal mother. METHODOLOGY: Quasi Experimental approach with Time Series Design was used as research design for the study. Sixty three postnatal mothers (32 in experimental group and 31 in control group) who fulfilled inclusion criteria were selected as sample consecutively and they were assigned randomly to experimental group and control group respectively. The data were collected by using Six point Engorgement scale and Numeric Pain scale. Intervention was given in the form of Green cabbage leave application in experimental group whereas, Hot water bag application in control group for 20 minutes in six interval of time. The obtained data were analyzed in terms of objectives and hypothesis using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: Majority of Postnatal mothers (94%) in Green Cabbage Leaves group and (97%) in Hot Water Bag group were initiated breast feeding after 24 hour of delivery. Majority of the mothers (94 %) had undergone LSCS in Green Cabbage Leaves and (97%) in the Hot Water Bag group. The homogeneity was checked in both the group by using chi square test, fisher's exact test and 't' test. It was found that except the educational status, the group were homogeneous in term of Age (p= 0.06), Parity ( p=0.36), Type of Delivery (p= 0.51), Initiation of Breast Feeding ( p=0.68), Frequency of Feeding (p=0.92), Duration of Breast Feeding (p=0.50), and Postnatal Day of engorgement (p= 0.62). The Analysis of effectiveness of Green Cabbage Leaves Vs Hot Water Bag for reducing breast engorgement and pain was checked by repeated measure ANOVA. It was showed that from baseline to 20 minutes, mean engorgement and pain score in both the groups were same and then after six hours to 36 hours the mean and SD was decreased in both groups. On Comparison of Engorgement score within subject effect and between subject effect the F value was (9.746) which is more than table value (4.0) at 0.05% level of significance which indicates that the reduction in engorgement was not by chance but because of the intervention. On Comparison of Pain score within subject effect and between subject effects as the calculated 'F' value was (0.058) which is less than table value (4.0) at 0.05% level of significance. Hence it predicts that there was no significance difference between pre and post interventional pain assessment in Green Cabbage Leaves and Hot Water Bag group. CONCLUSION: On the basis of findings the investigator concluded that Green Cabbage Leaves are more effective than Hot Water Bag in reducing breast engorgement whereas in Pain, there was reduction in both the groups gradually. Green Cabbage Leaves as well as Hot Water Bag application can be used in reducing pain due to breast engorgement. The Green cabbage leaves can be offered to every mother who have engorged breast as treatment until and unless they have allergy to cabbage leaves.