The Relationship Between Maternal Intravenous Fluids and Breast Changes in the Postpartum Period: A Pilot Observational Study

Clinical Issue Health Canada recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months post birth and then the addition of complementary foods with breastfeeding extending to a minimum of two years. Breastfeeding initiation rates in Canada are currently at around 87% but, by one month, about 21% of women have stopped breastfeeding. Engorgement and edema in breast tissue can lead to breastfeeding challenges which may contribute to early weaning. Purpose The purpose of this pilot research study was to explore the relationship between intravenous (IV) fluids given to mothers during the peripartum period and postpartum breast or nipple swelling in the first ten days postpartum and determine if a larger study was warranted and feasible. The research question for this pilot study was, "What is the relationship between the amount of IV fluids given to labouring women and edema of the breast and areola complex experienced by breastfeeding women in the first 10 days postpartum?" Methods It is a prospective, longitudinal, observational cohort pilot study with repeated measures and a within-subjects design. Participants are first time mothers who planned to exclusively breastfeed and gave birth to a single, healthy newborn by means of a spontaneous vaginal birth, Mother and baby were discharged home together with no contraindications to exclusive unrestricted breastfeeding. Descriptive statistics are reported and linear regression analysis is used to model the relationship between IV therapy and postpartum breast edema. Results Women who received IV fluids during labour had higher levels of edema postpartum and rated their breasts as firmer as and more tender than women who did not receive IV fluids. Participants who had IV fluids appeared to be less aware of the fullness associated with lactogenesis II, and the pattern of fullness they described appeared to be related to edema noted. Participants who did not have IV fluids appeared to have unrelated patterns of fullness and edema, and therefore appeared more aware of the onset of lactogenesis II. The results support a larger study about the relationships between maternal perinatal IV fluids and breast or nipple changes