The Effect of Oxytocin Massage on Breast Milk Production in Postpartum Mothers at BLUD Konawe Utara Hospital

Abstract

Breast milk production and release in postpartum mothers are often suboptimal in the early days after delivery. Low breast milk production can be influenced by various factors, one of which is a lack of stimulation of the hormone oxytocin, which plays a crucial role in the let-down reflex. Oxytocin massage is a non-pharmacological method believed to increase breast milk production through stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system and increased oxytocin hormone. This study aims to determine the effect of oxytocin massage on breast milk production in postpartum mothers at the North Konawe Hospital BLUD. This study used a quantitative method with a pre-experimental design and a one-group pre-test post-test approach. The study sample consisted of 32 respondents selected using a total sampling technique. The measurement instrument used a breast milk production observation sheet. The results showed that the average breast milk production before the intervention (pre-test) was 5.13, while the average after the intervention (post-test) increased to 6.78. The Wilcoxon test results obtained a ρ value <0.000 (<0.05), indicating a significant effect of oxytocin massage on breast milk production in postpartum mothers. Therefore, it can be concluded that oxytocin massage is effective in increasing breast milk production and can be recommended as a supporting intervention in postpartum obstetric services.