Effect of early maternal/newborn skin-to-skin contact after birth on the duration of third stage of labor and initiation of breastfeeding

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of early maternal /newborn skin-to-skin contact after birth on the duration of third stage of labor and initiation of breastfeeding.  A non-randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted at a labor and delivery unit of National Medical Institution in Damanhour, Albehera Governorate, Egypt. A purposive sample of 100 laboring women was recruited. The project included a study group (50) who considered skin–to-skin contact (SSC) and a control group (50) who received routine hospital care. Three tools were used to collect data. The first tool was a structured interview to elicit socio-demographic and obstetric characteristic. Second tool was an assessment of mothers during the third stage of labor.  Third tool was the Breastfeeding Assessment Tool, which comprised two parts: The Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT): and the outcome assessment of first breastfeeding.  The results revealed that success in first breastfeeding was higher among study group compared to control group.  There are statistically significant differences between the study and control groups in third stage of labor duration, complete placental separation, and immediate contraction of the uterus, position of uterus, absence of any abnormal signs such as uterine atony or excessive blood loss. The mean duration of the third stage of labor in the study group was significantly shorter (2.8 ± 0.857 minutes) than among those in the control group (11.22 ± 3.334 minutes) (p < .01).  The study concluded that mothers who practice early maternal / newborn SSC immediately after birth experience shorter duration of the third stage of labor and early successful initiation of breastfeeding. Consequently, it is recommended that a continuous educational and training program be provided to all midwives and nurses working in the delivery room about the implementation of SSC for all mothers, and clarify the benefits for the mother and her neonate.