COLD WATER COMPRESS FOR BREAST ENGORGEMENT MANAGEMENT IN A BEREAVED POSTPARTUM MOTHER: A CASE REPORT

Abstrak

The postpartum period is often accompanied by breast engorgement, causing breast tenderness and pain, particularly in mothers who have experienced infant loss because milk production continues without emptying. This condition creates physical suffering and infection risk, which worsens the mother's psychological state. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cold water compresses through a case study of Mrs. A, 36 years old, in the working area of Mojo Community Health Center, Kediri. The method applied was cold compress intervention to the breast area for 10 minutes, three times daily, for 21 days (January 5–26, 2025). Results showed significant reduction in pain scale from 7 to 1 (85.7% reduction), decreased breast circumference from 98 cm to 85 cm (13.3% reduction), and gradual cessation of milk production by day 21. This effectiveness occurs through vasoconstriction mechanism reducing blood flow to mammary glands, thereby suppressing lactation metabolic activity (suppression of lactation). In conclusion, cold water compresses effectively reduce pain and suppress milk production in postpartum mothers who have lost their babies.