GOLD Lactation Conference News
What is Skin-to-Skin Contact (SSC)?
SSC is where the naked baby, sometimes with a nappy on or a cap on their head, is placed on the mother’s bare chest. Another term that is used for SSC, though mainly with preterm newborns is Kangaroo Care. Kangaroo’s grow their newborn joeys in their pouch where they have all they need in the pouch, warmth, familiarity and food. SSC provides all of this for human newborns. The mothers’ chest varies in temperature to maintain the newborns temperature, the baby can hear the familiar and calming heartbeat and voice of their mother and the baby has easy access to breast milk.
Why should health professionals offer SSC immediately after the caesarean birth of babies?
Research demonstrates many benefits to both the mother and the newborn if they have Skin-to-Skin Contact immediately after a normal birth.
Why would the benefits be any different after a caesarean section?
Research demonstrates some benefits of SSC immediately or soon after a caesarean section. Findings from the synthesis of existing literature demonstrate that the benefits include the maintenance of the baby’s temperature and increased bonding, parent/newborn communication, breastfeeding initiation and maternal satisfaction (Stevens, Schmied, Burns, & Dahlen, 2014). More research into this important area is needed however.
Women are increasingly asking not to be separated from their newborn and to have SSC soon after caesarean sections. There is also the emergence of women asking for “maternal assisted” caesarean sections, where they get to help lift their own baby out of their abdomen, and then place their baby directly onto their bare chest. The WHO and UNICEF recommend SSC after a caesarean section as soon as the mother is alert and responsive (Baby Friendly Health Initiative, 2012; World Health Organization & UNICEF, 2009). With an increased use of spinal and epidural anaesthesia women remain awake and alert during caesarean sections, therefore SSC should be provided immediately during the majority of caesarean sections. Women are increasingly requesting this care, and health professionals and institutions need to start providing this recommended care.
How do we provide SSC in the operating theatre?
It can be provided safely and immediately. This presentation will discuss the specifics of implementing SSC in the operating theatre. Implementation involves writing protocols with the collaboration of all relevant staff members, making sure that there are enough resources, preparing staff through education and support and educating women and their support people. Hints on how to provide SSC immediately in the operating theatre on the day will also be discussed.
Jeni Stevens will be delivering her presentation "How to facilitate immediate Skin-to-Skin post a Caesarean Section: Increasing Breastfeeding Success" for the upcoming GOLD Lactation Online Conference 2015. Learn more about Jeni Stevens' talk as well as the other 27 Speakers by clicking here.
Resources:
Baby Friendly Health Initiative. (2012). 10 steps to successful breastfeeding.
http://www.babyfriendly.org.au/about-bfhi/ten-steps-to-successful-breastfeeding/
Stevens, J., Schmied, V., Burns, E., & Dahlen, H. (2014). Immediate or early skin-to-skin contact after a Caesarean section: a review of the literature. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 10(4), 456-473. doi: 10.1111/mcn.12128
World Health Organization, & UNICEF. (2009). Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. Revised updated and expanded for integrated care. Section 3: Breastfeeding promotion and support in a baby-friendly hospital: A 20-hour course for maternity staff.
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2009/9789241594981_eng.pdf
