The Effect of Skin-to-Skin Contact Applied in the Early Postpartum Period on Maternal Pain, Birth Satisfaction, and Maternal Vital Signs Dynamics

Overview

Skin-to-skin contact (STSC) initiated within the first hour after birth is a fundamental practice that supports both the mother's and the newborn's physiological and psychological adaptation (Çelik \& Kök, 2022). The World Health Organization recommends at least 90 minutes of uninterrupted SKC immediately after birth and defines this practice as a mandatory component of care under the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (World Health Organization, 2024; Abdulghani et al., 2018; Sharma, 2016). The positive effects of TTT on maintaining the newborn's temperature, glucose regulation, physiological stability, and mother-infant bonding have been proven (Sezici \& Yiğit, 2020; Safar et al., 2018). In addition, it has been reported that it can shorten the third stage of labor by increasing maternal oxytocin release and reduce maternal stress and anxiety (Püsküllüoğlu et al., 2022; Harati Kabir et al., 2024). In the study, mothers in the intervention group will receive one hour of uninterrupted TTT immediately after delivery; routine midwifery care will continue in the control group. In both groups, maternal pain levels, birth satisfaction, and vital signs (body temperature, oxygen saturation, heart rate, and blood pressure) will be assessed immediately after delivery, and at 30, 60, and 90 minutes. The sample size was calculated using GPower, and a total of 68 participants (34 in each group) will be included in the study. Inclusion criteria include women aged 18 years or older who have had a full-term vaginal delivery and have a single, uncomplicated pregnancy. The data collection tools used will be the Demographic Information Form and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The findings of the study are expected to enhance the quality of midwifery care by supporting the integration of TTT into clinical practice in early postpartum care.

H1: There is a difference in pain scores measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) between the group that received uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact for one hour after birth and the control group immediately after birth, at 30, 60, and 90 minutes. H1: There is a difference in birth satisfaction scores measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) between the group that received uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact for one hour after birth and the control group immediately after birth, at 30, 60, and 90 minutes. H1: There is a difference between the group that received uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact for one hour after birth and the control group in terms of maternal body temperature, oxygen saturation, heart rate, and blood pressure measurements taken immediately after birth and at 30, 60, and 90 minutes.