This is the process of assessing the breast of a pregnant woman through inspection and palpation at the antenatal clinic. It gives an opportunity for the midwife and mother to discuss the importance of breastfeeding.
Aims
· Provide baseline data
· Identify any abnormalities and manage promptly
· Educate mother on appropriate nutrition towards lactation
· Teach the woman breast self-examination
Types
· Clinical breast examination
· Breast self-examination
· Requirements
· Gown
· Examination couch
· Ball pen
· Maternal and Child Health Record Book (Manual/Electronic)
· Gallipot containing cotton swabs
· Kidney dish for used swabs
Steps
1. Establish rapport (refer steps)
2. Provide privacy and ensure client assume desired position
3. Send tray to examination couch
4. Assist client to undress and wear a gown
5. Help client into a dorsal position on a couch
6. Perform hand hygiene and warm hands
7. Expose both breasts and inspect
8. Compare breast for size, shape, colour and contour
9. Cover one breast and expose the one to be examined
10. Ask client to put the hand of the part to be examined under her head
11. Support examining breast and palpate systematically with the pads of the fingers
12. Teach client breast self-examination
13. Squeeze the nipple gently for fluid, examine and clean with swab
14. Repeat the same process for the other breast
15. Express appreciation to client for cooperation
16. Assist client out of couch and help to re-dress
17. Communicate findings to client
18. Dispose off and decontaminate used items
19. Perform hand hygiene
20. Record and report findings to Officer in-charge
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