The Effect of Reverse Pressure Softening Technique on Primiparous Postpartum Women Experiencing Breast Engorgement

Ali Abdelbaky, Fayza Ahmed; Ahmad Mohammad, Asmaa Mohammad; Mohamed, Sahar Sayed Abd El-Ghafar; Elgobashy, Rania Ezzat

doi:10.21608/tsnj.2025.418151

The Effect of Reverse Pressure Softening Technique on Primiparous Postpartum Women Experiencing Breast Engorgement

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Lecturer of Maternal and Neonatal Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Fayoum University, Egypt.

² Lecturer of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Beni-Suef University, Egypt.

³ Lecturer of Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Menofia University, Egypt.

10.21608/tsnj.2025.418151

Abstract

Background: Breast engorgement is one of the most common problems
confronting women after delivery, especially primiparous women, and hinders
successful breastfeeding. Reverse Pressure Softening is a non-pharmacological
technique that can help in reducing breast engorgement by helping in pushing
fluid back, softening the areola, empowering the nipple to protrude better and
reducing breast engorgement. Aim: Evaluate the effect of reverse pressure
softening technique on primiparous postpartum women experiencing breast
engorgement. Design: A quasi-experimental (non-randomized control group)
design was used. Setting: Fayoum University Hospital's obstetrics and
gynecology outpatient clinic served as the study's location. Sample: One hundred
primiparous postpartum women who satisfied the inclusion requirements and had
breast engorgement were selected using purposive sampling. Tools: The
Structured Interviewing Questionnaire, the Visual Analog Scale, the Six-point
Engorgement Scale, the Breast Redness and Edema around Areola Assessment
Scale, and the Latch Score record were the five instruments utilized to gather data.
Results: Compared to before the intervention, there was a significant reduction
in breast engorgement after using the areola reverse pressure softening method.
Compared to pre-intervention (40%), there was a significant drop in pain (10.0%)
after the intervention. The study group's post-intervention (58%) breastfeeding
rate was much higher than the pre-intervention (18%) rate for women.
Conversely, following routine care, women in the control group were less likely
to be able to breastfeed (18%) than they were previously (26%).Conclusion:
There was a noteworthy decrease in breast engorgement following the application
of the reverse pressure softening technique of the areola as compared to pre-
intervention. These findings achieved the study's aim and supported the research
hypothesis. Recommendations: Raising awareness of postpartum mothers,
especially the newly breast feeding mothers, through prenatal classes regarding
the beneficial effect of the reverse pressure softening of the areola on breast
engorgement and newborn feeding behavior.