Skin-to-Skin Contact and Breastfeeding at Childbirth: Women’s Desires, Expectations, and Experiences

Abstract

Objective: To analyze women’s desires, expectations and experiences regarding skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding in the first hour of life of their newborns. Methods: Qualitative research carried out in a teaching hospital in the Northeast Region of Brazil. The patients were followed longitudinally during prenatal care, at birth and during the puerperium. The participants were pregnant women during normal risk prenatal care, aged over 18 years old. Structured and semi-structured interviews were carried out in the prenatal period, participant observation at the time of delivery and new interviews in the puerperium. Content analysis was applied in the thematic modality. Results: 18 women between 21 and 38 years old were enrolled in the research. Women expressed the desire for skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding as immediate practices right after delivery and birth. However, many women did not believe it was possible, and the performance of routine procedures was considered the main obstacle. These expectations that skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding would not be carried out were confirmed in the experiences immediately after birth. Conclusions: The expectations and experiences brought by these women suggest a flaw that starts in prenatal care and implies difficulties in implementing the studied practices. Thus, the empowerment and participation of women can become an important tool in the humanization of birth.

Could Alterations in the Infant Gut Microbiota Explain the Development of Noncommunicable Diseases from the DOHaD Perspective?

“…This technique helps to reduce neonatal morbidity due to multiple benefits; for instance, stabilizes cardiopulmonary function, and reduces the risk of hypoglycemia, hypothermia, and infections. After delivery, the effect on the mother is a reduction in anxiety and postpartum bleeding [85]. Everywhere, the neonatal intensive care units should promote family participative care, assisting skin-to-skin contact between the mother and newborn as soon as possible, for the establishment of breastfeeding [86].…”

Skin‐to‐skin contact after birth: Developing a research and practice guideline

“…Skin‐to‐skin contact has been shown to positively influence maternal–infant interaction 1 year later, 11,15 increase bonding and attachment behaviours, 16–19 increase maternal caretaking behaviours, 20 maternal interpretation of the infant's signals 21 . Maternal self‐confidence 22 and the experience of giving birth are enhanced by skin‐to‐skin contact 23–26 . Some studies have examined skin‐to‐skin contact in the context of packages of maternal/neonatal care practices such as the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s Early Essential Newborn Care (EENC) 27,28 and the WHO and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) 29 rather than as a singular intervention.…”

“…21 Maternal self-confidence 22 and the experience of giving birth are enhanced by skin-to-skin contact. [23][24][25][26] Some studies have examined skin-to-skin contact in the context of packages of maternal/neonatal care practices such as the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s Early Essential Newborn Care (EENC) 27,28 and the WHO and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) 29 rather than as a singular intervention. In these cases, it may be difficult to tease apart the impact of individual interventions such as skin-to-skin contact from the impact of the 'whole package' of care interventions.…”