Effect of Early Maternal-Newborn Skin Contact during Third Stage of Labor on Child birth Outcomes

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate effect of early maternal-newborn skin contact during third stage on child birth outcomes. Design: Aquasi experimental research design was used. Setting: This study was conducted at Labor and Delivery Unit at Obstetrics and Gynecology Department in Mansoura University Hospitals Egypt. Subjects: This study included 180 parturient women who were selected by purposive sampling technique and were divided into 90 parturient women who received skin to skin contact (SSC) during third stage of labor and 90 parturient women who received routine hospital care according to the inclusion criteria. Tools: Five tools were used for data collection; namely (structured interviewing schedule, APGAR Newborn Scoring Chart, The new born body temperature chart, Observational checklist for assessment of first breastfeeding and Lickert Scale for assessment of maternal sat is faction). Results: The duration of third stage of labor was shorter, the amount of blood loss was lower and maternal sat is faction and preference were higher in the intervention than control group (p<0.05). New borns in the intervention group initiated their first breast feeding earlier and haves lightly higher temperature but within normal than control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Maternal-new born skin contact had positive effect on shortening duration of third stage of labor, less blood loss, early initiation of breast feeding, better newborn body temperature and mores at is faction. The study recommended: that the maternity hospitals should encourage obstetricians and maternity nurses to increase awareness of women about the benefits of practicing early maternal-new born skin contact during third stage of labor on child birth outcomes.