Effect of Skin to Skin Contact on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes

Mother and newborn skin-to-skin contact after birth bring about numerous protective effects; however, it is an intervention that is underutilized. Early skin-to-skin contact at birth, as well as nursing, protects against the occurrence and severity of the disease. Aim: To evaluate the effect of skin-to-skin contact on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Subjects and method: Design: A quasi-experimental research design was used to achieve the study's aim. Setting: The study was conducted in the Obstetric department at Beni-Suef University Hospital. Subjects: A Non- probability purposive sampling of 100 mothers and their neonates was divided into two groups (50 samples each in control and experimental group). Six tools were used: Tool (1) structured interviewing questionnaire, it included three parts: (a) personal data of mothers; (b) mothers' clinical data sheet, and (c) neonate's data; Tool (2) APGAR newborn scoring chart, Tool (3) infant breastfeeding assessment tool (IBFAT), and Tool (4) LATCH scale, (5) modified maternal breastfeeding satisfaction evaluation scale (MBFES), and Tool (6): Observation checklist during the third stage of labor. Results: The results of the study revealed that majority of studied mothers in the experimental group and the control group had no previous knowledge about skin-to-skin contact at birth. Skin-to-skin contact between mother and neonates at birth has a positive effect on improving initiation of breastfeeding and improving quality of first breastfeeding in the experimental group. Skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby at birth had a statistically significant effect on maternal outcomes (duration of the third stage of labor, blood loss during the third stage of labor, and maternal satisfaction) as well as neonatal outcomes (initiation of breastfeeding, quality of first breastfeeding, and time of first breastfeeding) (p < 0.05) need results related to study variables. Conclusion: According to the findings, skin-to-skin contact between mothers and their babies at birth reduced the duration of the third stage of labor and blood loss during the third stage of labor, improved maternal satisfaction, breastfeeding initiation, quality of first breastfeeding, and time of first breastfeeding initiation. Recommendations: It is critical to emphasize health professional training to offer crucial infant care, including skin-to-skin contact. To ensure that all mothers realize the benefits of skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding initiation, community engagement is also required.