Implementing Routing Skin-to-Skin Contact in the Operating Room

Purpose for the Program: Skin‐to‐skin (STS) contact immediately after birth has been proved to provide benefits to the mother and newborn, including improved temperature regulation, reduced rates of postpartum hemorrhage, and promotion of bonding and early breastfeeding. Before the implementation of our STS practice in the operating room (OR), mothers who had cesarean births and their newborns were not able to enjoy these benefits. Proposed Change: Mothers who gave birth by cesarean at our community hospital wanted the opportunity to experience STS in the OR and to minimize the delay in seeing and holding their newborns after birth. Their concerns were heard by the nurses and physicians and discussion began on how this practice could possibly work in our small unit and OR. Planning and communication were key to realizing this evidence‐based practice. Implementation, Outcomes, and Evaluation: A small group of nurses who had a strong interest in making this practice a reality met and reviewed research on the topic and discussed how we could accomplish this practice with a small staff. Discussion and planning with the pediatricians, obstetric (OB) physicians, anesthesiologists, and the rest of the nursery staff took place. The mothers were educated on the benefits of STS and how this would take place in the OR. Soon we implemented the procedure and brought the first newborn from delivery to the warmer (to be quickly dried off) and then to the mother's chest for STS. The goal was to keep the newborn STS for 30 minutes if the mother was able. Documentation of the length of STS was recorded in the newborn's record. Many mothers who experienced prior cesareans without STS stated how much more meaningful the current experience was. Implications for Nursing Practice: Women and newborns can now take advantage of immediate STS contact in the OR, which is the best first step for early well‐being and stabilization. This early contact promotes bonding, breastfeeding, and other birth recovery benefits. © 2015 AWHONN, the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses