Objective: To compare 24-hour breast milk volume after cesarean delivery between postpartum women who receive instant ginger drink every twelve hours with those receiving placebo.

Materials and Methods: Postpartum women, who delivered by cesarean section at gestational age 37 weeks or older, enrolled in the randomized, double-blind controlled trial. The women randomly allocated to receive instant ginger drink or placebo. The test weighing method was used to measure breast milk volume. Statistically compared 24 hour-breast milk volume between two groups (at 48 to 72 hours after delivery) were analyzed.

Results: Seventy postpartum women and their infants were included in the present clinical trial. All women delivered by cesarean section without any post-operative complication and were willing to participate in the study. Baseline characteristics of participants between two groups were not different. Forty-five participants (65.22%) were primiparous. The 24-hour breastmilk volume in 48 to 72 hours after cesarean delivery was not statically different between the two groups. Median of total breastmilk volumes during 48 to 72 hours after delivery in ginger group was 80 mL, while the placebo group was 100 mL (p=0.68). There was no side effect of instant ginger drink in the postpartum women or infants.

Conclusion: Instant ginger drink did not affect breast milk volume in 48 to 72 hours after cesarean delivery.

Keywords: Ginger drink, Breast feeding, Cesarean delivery, Postpartum