The Effect of Video Education on Skin-to-Skin at the Time of Delivery [18T

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) is significantly associated with breastfeeding which continues to be below national goals. With a lack of research on how to overcome barriers to SSC, this trial examined the effect of video education upon admission for delivery on intent to, and actual participation in SSC. METHODS: Randomized control trial (June 2017-October 2017) of educational intervention in women (N=240) 18 or older admitted in anticipation of normal spontaneous term delivery. Alternate patients were randomized at the time of admission into video (N=120) and no video (N=120) groups. Both groups received a brief survey about SSC. The video group watched a patient education DVD and completed a post survey about SSC. IRB approval and patient informed consent were obtained. RESULTS: During the pre-intervention survey, 89.2% (107/120) of those in the video group compared to 83.3% (100/120) of those in the no video group indicated that they planned to use SSC (p=0.396). After the video, 98.3% (118/120) planned to do SSC after delivery (p<0.001). However, only 59.8% (55/92) started SSC within 5 minutes of delivery in the video group and only 49.4% (42/85) started SSC within 5 minutes of delivery in the no video group (p=0.17). CONCLUSION: Video education at the time of admission prior to delivery alters the intention of patients and trends towards preforming SSC within five minutes of delivery. Despite the plans for SSC there was no significant difference in rates of utilization between the two groups. These findings support that obstacles, other than prenatal education, may affect early SSC.