The first hours after birth are critical for the physiological and psychological adaptation process of the newborn from intrauterine to extrauterine life. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends skin-to-skin contact as a routine part of care to stabilize the newborn's vital signs and strengthen the mother-infant bond. However, the rate of skin-to-skin contact in women who give birth by cesarean section is lower compared to vaginal deliveries. Considering the global increase in cesarean birth rates, it is necessary to develop appropriate and practical care methods for mothers and newborns who deliver by cesarean section. The literature has examined the effects of the duration of skin-to-skin contact on breastfeeding initiation, neonatal hypothermia, and cardiopulmonary stability. However, studies aimed at increasing the duration of skin-to-skin contact are limited. This study compares the effects of standard skin-to-skin contact and skin-to-skin contact using a sling on the duration of skin-to-skin contact, postpartum breastfeeding success, and physiological weight loss of the newborn in primiparous mothers who delivered by cesarean section.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
78
In the intervention group, skin-to-skin contact will be facilitated using a specially designed sling. This approach aims to enhance the quality and duration of skin-to-skin contact between the mother and the newborn.
Merve Coşkun
Ataşehir, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
Introductory Information Form
The introductory characteristics of the mother and newborn are documented in forms used by the institution during patient care and in records. These forms are created by the researchers to systematize the information used in this study.
Time frame: Baseline (to both groups before the intervention)
Skin-to-Skin Contact Tracking Form
This form is created by the researchers to determine the duration of skin-to-skin contact for each participant.
Time frame: To be completed during patient follow-up (postpartum days 0, 1, and 2)
Breastfeeding Assessment Scale (LATCH)
The scale, developed by Jensen and Wallace in 1993, aims to objectively assess breastfeeding, identify breastfeeding problems, plan education, establish a common language among healthcare professionals, and be used in research (Jensen et al., 1994). The scale was adapted into Turkish by Yenal and Okumuş in 2003 and consists of five assessment steps. It is modeled after the APGAR scoring system and is quick and easy to use. The acronym LATCH stands for the English terms of these assessment steps: "L = Latch on breast," "A = Audible swallowing," "T = Type of nipple," "C = Comfort breast/nipple," "H = Hold." Each item is scored between 0-2 points. The total possible score from the measurement tool is 10. There is no cut-off point for the tool. As the LATCH score increases, the success of breastfeeding is understood to be higher. The scale has a Cronbach alpha value of .95 (Yenal and Okumuş, 2003).
Time frame: To be completed during patient follow-up, once a day (postpartum days 0, 1, and 2)
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