Randomized controlled trial of early skin-to-skin contact: effects on the mother and the newborn.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the influence of skin-to-skin care on the thermal regulation of the infant and the rate of breastfeeding at different points of time. We also aim to establish whether skin-to-skin contact reduces maternal pain during episiotomy repair and decreases the time to expel the placenta.

METHODS: A randomized control study was performed with 137 patients in each branch of the study. Differences between the study groups were analysed with the unpaired t-test, Fisher test or chi-square test as appropriate.

RESULTS: Greater thermal stability in the skin-to-skin care group was found where an average temperature rise of 0.07°C was observed. Mothers in the skin-to-skin care group exclusively breastfed more frequently at discharge. Mean time to expel the placenta was lesser in the skin-to-skin care group.

CONCLUSION: This study shows that skin-to-skin care implies better thermal regulation and a better proportion of exclusive breastfeeding at hospital discharge.