Comparison and Efficacy of Auricular Point Acupressure with Auricular Patches on Lactation in Nulliparous Postpartum Cesarean Delivery Parturients at Thammasat University Hospital: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: To compare the lactation enhancing effect of auricular acupressure with or without a magnetic plate on post-cesarean nulliparous parturients. Materials and Methods: The present study was a randomized controlled trial conducted in the obstetrics ward of Thammasat University Hospital, Pathum Thani, Thailand between February and July 2022. Participants were term nulliparous pregnant women aged between 20 and 40 years old who underwent cesarean delivery. They were allocated into three groups, namely magnetic (M), non-magnetic (NM), and control groups. The standard care plan for post-cesarean cases was applied to all patients. Participants in both M and NM groups were assigned to receive auricular acupressure using auricular patches with and without magnetic plates, respectively. The ear pinna has five specific auricular points, namely chest (AH10), endocrine (CO18), stomach or Wei (CO4), spleen or Pi (CO13), and sympathetic points (AH6a). The treatment began immediately after counseling and continued for seven days. The onset of the first lactation, lactation visual assessment (LVA) level was collected using the survey form. Exclusive breastfeeding was encouraged at a rate of every three hours to meet newborn demands. The onset of lactation was assessed within three hours after auricular acupressure and every time before breastfeeding. Results: Seventy-five pregnant women were recruited and allocated with 25 cases per group. Mean maternal age was 30 years. The demographic characteristics of the three groups were comparable. There were more participants in the M group had onset of lactation within 24 hours, than in the control group significantly, at 20 versus 13, respectively (p=0.039). Onset of LVA level 1, 2, and 4 in the three groups were comparable. The onset of LVA level 3 in the M group was significantly faster than the control group (p=0.023). Satisfactory lactation and auricular acupressure among M and NM groups were comparable. Conclusion: Auricular acupressure with magnetic plates significantly enhanced lactation onset and lactation visual volume (level 3) in postcesarean nulliparous parturients. It merits consideration to be included in routine practice. Keywords: Cesarean delivery; Postpartum lactation; Auricular acupressure