Impacts of Skin to Skin Contact

Running head: IMPACTS OF SKIN TO SKIN CONTACT
How Early Skin to Skin Contact Within the First Hour of Life Influences Newborn Health
Lajuanna Barnett
Grand Canyon University: NRS-490
May 16, 2019

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How Early Skin to Skin Contact Within the First Hour of Life Influences Newborn Health
Background Statement and Evidence Summary
Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) has been observed to cause positive results in neonatal health
conditions. These positive outcomes include improved breastfeeding of infants and a strong bond
between the infant and mother. Hypothermia is a condition that affects most of the infants,
therefore leading to an abnormal decrease in body temperatures below normal levels. More than
20% of infants experience several problems when SSC is not introduced immediately after birth
(Chan et al. 2016). The symptoms of the recession may have negative impacts on both the
mother and the newborn. Skin-to-skin contact between the infant and the mother is effective in
the reduction of the problems related to postnatal care. Research outcomes from various nursing
studies have shown that SSC is important in reducing infant mortality rates (Alenchery et al.
2018). SSC also promotes mental growth and development in infants as well as leads to the
cognitive development of infants (Feldman, Rosenthal, & Eidelman, 2014). Poor maternal care
has led to serious clinical problems that relate to lack of regular SSC during the early lives of
infants (Vilinsky, Sheridan & Nugent, 2016). The time period taken to accomplish the project is
ten weeks to allow for proper evaluation of the benefits of SSC. This paper will succinctly
analyze the positive effects of SSC and barriers associated with the implementation of this
project into nursing practice.
Discussion
Comparing of the Research Questions

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The analysis and comparison of the research questions are crucial in the implementation
of this project. Research questions provide a guideline for effective understanding of the barriers
related to SSC and interventions to eliminate these barriers, therefore, leading to improved
newborn care (Baley, 2015). The first research question focuses on the barriers and strategies to
be used in the implementation of SSC during the postnatal care period. This research question
analyses the main enablers. The enablers in the implementation of SSC include the availability of
knowledge on the benefits of this practice in maternal care. One of the known benefits of SSC is
the development of a stronger bond between the infant and the mother. From the research study,
it is identified that the scarcity of skilled personnel is the main barrier interfering with the
implementation and adoption of SSC in infant care practices. There was a reduced number of
competent nursing personnel in the labor room as compared to a large number of women giving
birth. Another barrier in the implementation of SSC practice was the doubts from the people on
the efficacy of the practice in neonatal and maternal care. Lastly, the lack of motivation from the
experienced staff was another barrier that influenced the adoption of SSC. Teamwork is one of
the strategies to be used in avoiding the negative effects related to the implementation barriers
(Moore, Bergman, Anderson & Medley, 2016).
The second research question focuses on the safety of patients during caesarean section
deliveries. Safety of the mother and the newborn is a critical factor to be achieved through active
participation of skilled obstetricians and nurses to improve the efficacy of SSC in nursing
practices (Armbrust, Hinkson, von Weizsäcker, & Henrich, 2016). The research question
presented on the third article by Chan summarizes the importance of Kangaroo care in the
prevention of hypothermia and breastfeeding. Through breastfeeding, stimulation of the nervous

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system is achieved therefore, leading to relaxation and dilation of blood vessels leading to
thermal regulation (Koopman et al. 2016).
Comparing of the Sample Populations
Different designs were used in the collection of data during the research studies. The first
design was done based on a qualitative study whereby moderators were interviewed in two
Indian hospitals. In this case, 41 healthcare workers were selected for an interview. The
healthcare workers were those working in the labor and delivery unit. Moderator's guide was
used during the interview to improve the relevancy of the data collected. The main idea obtained
through this design were the barriers, enablers, and interventions that can be used to overcome
the negative implication of SSC on the health of both the mother and the infant and improve
postnatal care. The use of Likert’s scale was effective in providing choices to the interviewers
(Ludington-Hoe, 2015). The questionnaire materials contained multiple choice questions to be
answered and selected by population sample. The third design involved the analysis of data
obtained from the World Health Organization (WHO). The regional databases were evaluated
because the implementation and efficacy of SSC vary depending on the geographical areas. For
instance, the data from India are different variations from data from Africa. The benefits of
kangaroo care were then analyzed because it improves mother-to-infant bonding. In the last
research study, 73 premature infants during a consecutive period of two weeks were compared
with a case in which 73 participants were receiving standard care. A follow up was done to
record and analyze cognitive and psychological changes in these infants in one year.
Comparing the Limitation of the Study