Final answer:
The expected finding in a breastfeeding mother's breast examination after 12 hours of giving birth is engorgement, due to the natural process of lactogenesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
While a nurse is performing a breast examination of a client who just started breastfeeding her 12-hour-old newborn, the expected finding would be that the breasts are engorged. This means the breasts can be full and firm due to the increased blood flow and the milk that is starting to be produced, a process known as lactogenesis. Engorgement not only is natural but also expected at this stage. However, it might cause a level of discomfort that varies from one woman to another. The nurse should always be prepared to educate and assist new mothers on how to handle these changes and provide the necessary support to encourage continued breastfeeding.
Learn more about Lactogenesis here: