The Effect of Skin-to-skin Contact at Birth

Skin-to-skin contact (STSC) involves placing the baby on the mother's chest for at least one hour during or immediately after birth. After birth, healthy, full-term babies who receive STSC will orient themselves toward their mother's breast and nipple and begin suckling within approximately one hour. This practice has many benefits for both mother and baby. Looking at the benefits for the mother, these include earlier placental separation, reduced postpartum bleeding, increased breastfeeding self-efficacy, and decreased stress levels in the mother. Furthermore, the rise in oxytocin levels in the mother within the first hour after birth promotes the development and strengthening of the bond between mother and baby. The benefits for the baby include a reduction in adverse outcomes associated with birth stress, effective thermoregulation, less and shorter crying, a decrease in the likelihood of apnea, less physiological weight loss, and less stress response to painful procedures. At the same time, it has been shown that SC reduces the rate of formula supplementation in hospitals, increases the initiation of breastfeeding and the level of exclusive breastfeeding, and leads to successful first breastfeeding and optimal suckling. The timing and duration of skin-to-skin contact (STSC) vary. In this study, skin-to-skin contact will be performed immediately after birth.

STSC at birth or immediately after birth: The newborn is placed face-to-face on the mother's abdomen or chest within the first minute after birth. If medically necessary, aspiration can be performed while the baby is on the mother's abdomen or chest, and the baby is thoroughly dried. To prevent heat loss, the baby's back is covered with a pre-warmed blanket and a hat is placed on the head. All other interventions on the newborn can be delayed until at least the end of the first hour after birth or the first successful breastfeeding.

Skin-to-skin contact between the mother and baby is noted as one of the most effective practices to support placental separation during the third stage of labor. This practice not only contributes to the baby's physiological adaptation but also strengthens the mother-baby bond. Skin-to-skin contact is reported to increase oxytocin release, helping the placenta separate more easily and quickly.

The first two hours after birth, when newborns are most sensitive to sensory cues such as their mother's warmth, touch, and smell, are considered the most appropriate time for initiating breastfeeding and establishing bonding. The aim of skin-to-skin contact is to initiate the first breastfeeding after birth as early as possible. This helps to initiate breastfeeding early, strengthening the emotional bond between mother and baby and contributing to a longer breastfeeding period. It is recommended that breastfeeding begin within the first half hour after birth through skin-to-skin contact.

Childbirth is a unique process that is perceived and experienced differently by each woman and is considered an important step in the transition to parenthood. Ensuring that this process occurs in line with the mother's expectations helps to make the postpartum period more peaceful and healthy. The baby, who is in constant physical contact with the mother during the intrauterine period, maintains continuity of communication by establishing contact with the mother after birth. Maintaining this contact in the postpartum period is an important requirement that supports the physical and psychological well-being of both the mother and the baby.

Skin-to-skin contact (STSC), as the first physical bond established between the mother and newborn immediately after birth, is a fundamental practice that brings many positive physiological and psychosocial effects. In this context, examining the effects of skin-to-skin contact during birth on both birth outcomes (such as placental separation time, postpartum pain, timing of first breastfeeding, and motivation) and parenting behaviors is of great importance for developing evidence-based approaches in birth care.

The findings obtained will contribute to midwifery practices in childbirth and postnatal care, thereby providing a basis for strengthening policies aimed at supporting maternal and newborn health.