SKIN TO SKIN CONTACT AFTER BIRTH
Kylee Knight and Grace Preston
Murray State University School of Nursing
TABLE OF CONTENTS
05
04
02
03
01
Recommendations for Practice
Conclusion
Introduction
Evidence Based Practice
Theoretical Framework
INTRODUCTION
Skin-to-skin contact, also known as Kangaroo Care, is the placement of an infant onto another’s chest. The first hour following birth is a very sensitive time for both mom and baby, but being in skin-to-skin contact enhances maternal adaptation to hormonal changes and neonatal adaptation to extrauterine life.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
THEORY
Skin-to-skin contact is a carative factor that has numerous health benefits that support health promotion and illness prevention for the mom and baby, while also meeting human needs.
SUPPORT
Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring: “promoting health, preventing illness, caring for the sick, and restoring health.”
Jean Watson’s Assumption: “caring consists of carative factors that result in the satisfaction of certain human needs.”
EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE
MOM
⭑ regulates baby’s breathing
⭑ stimulates digestion
⭑ increases feeding interest
⭑ regulates baby’s temperature
⭑ provides protection against infection
BABY
⭑ stimulates release of hormones
⭑ helps the uterus contract
⭑ supports healthy attachment
⭑ increases bonding
⭑ shorter duration of stage 3 labor
⭑ stimulates breast milk production
EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE
Article 1 – The effect of mother-infant skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth on exclusive breastfeeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
This article discussed how the benefits of skin-to-skin contact with the newborn initiates breast milk production and stimulation of breastfeeding, along with temperature regulation, adaptation to extrauterine life, and respiratory adaptation.
Article 2 – Skin-to-skin contact in the third stage of labor and postpartum hemorrhage prevention: a scoping review.
This article talked about how skin-to-skin contact after birth decreases the length of the third stage of labor, initiation uterine contraction and passage of the placenta. With the decrease in the third stage of labor, there is less risk of postpartum hemorrhage, according to the article.
Article 3 – Skin-to-skin contact the first hour after birth, underlying implications and clinical practice.
This article discusses the generalized benefits of skin-to-skin contact, specifically how initiation within the first hour can enhance the nine stages the newborn will experience shortly after birth.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE
How would this be implemented? And why this method?
How would we assess compliance & results?
Most birthing facilities have a policy, but there is not adequate education or implementation with it. By educating nurses on the OB unit of the benefits, they are able to relay the information to the parents and encourage kangaroo care in and out of the hospital setting.
We would follow-up with the OB unit by assessing rates of NICU transfers, breastfeeding success rates, and hemorrhage rates; specifically, how they have changed since implementing and educating this policy.
CONCLUSION
Implementing the policy of skin-to-skin contact at birthing facilities is very important in the obstetrics field to ensure the most obtainable health of mothers and newborns after delivery/birth. If further implementation of this policy can take place, it is suggested that the rate of long term positive consequences (i.e. lack of breastfeeding issues, increased immunity, early hormonal regulation) will continue to increase.
REFERENCES
Karimi, F. Z., Miri, H. H., Khadivzadeh, T., & Maleki-Saghooni, N. (2020). The effect of mother-infant skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth on exclusive breastfeeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the Turkish German Gynecological Association, 21(1), 46–56. https://doi-org.ezproxy.waterfield.murraystate.edu/10.4274/jtgga.galenos.2019.2018.0138
Skin-to-skin contact. Baby Friendly Initiative. (2023, January 27). https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/implementing-standards-resources/skin-to-skin-contact/
Skin-to-skin contact: The benefits of Kangaroo Care. Pampers. (n.d.). https://www.pampers.com/en-us/pregnancy/giving-birth/article/skin-to-skin-contact
REFERENCES
Ruiz, M. T., Azevedo, N. F., Raponi, M. B. G., Fonseca, L. M. M., Wernet, M., Silva, M. P. C., & Contim, D. (2023). Skin-to-Skin Contact in the Third Stage of Labor and Postpartum Hemorrhage Prevention: A Scoping Review. Maternal & Child Health Journal, 27(4), 582–596. https://doi-org.ezproxy.waterfield.murraystate.edu/10.1007/s10995-022-03582-4
Widström, A., Brimdyr, K., Svensson, K., Cadwell, K., & Nissen, E. (2019). Skin‐to‐skin contact the first hour after birth, underlying implications and clinical practice. Acta Paediatrica, 108(7), 1192–1204. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.14754
World Health Organization. (2022). Who advises immediate skin to skin care for survival of small and preterm babies. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news/item/15-11-2022-who-advises-immediate-skin-to-skin-care-for-survival-of-small-and-preterm-babies#