A Fact Sheet Proposal on Early SSC After Cesarean Section for Women

This report proposes a fact sheet for women and nurses regarding the benefits of early skin-to-skin contact (SSC) after Cesarean sections. It highlights the importance of SSC for bonding, thermoregulation, and stress reduction in newborns, as well as increased maternal sensitivity. The fact sheet aims to educate on the advantages, disadvantages, and proper practices of SSC in clinical settings. It addresses the need for such a resource due to disruptions in natural childbirth caused by Cesarean deliveries and anxieties among healthcare providers. The report also discusses facilitators and barriers to implementation, such as midwife workload and institutional support, and suggests evaluation methods using questionnaires and surveys. The ultimate goal is to encourage the adoption of SSC to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes, emphasizing the need for institutional support and evidence-based practices. Desklib provides various study tools and solved assignments for students.

Running head: A FACT SHEET FOR WOMEN ON EARLY SSC 1
A Fact Sheet for Women on Early Skin-to-Skin Contact after Cesarean Section: A Proposal
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A Fact Sheet for Women on Early Skin-to-Skin Contact after Cesarean Section: A Proposal
Introduction
About 33% of the births that take place in hospital settings are Cesarean section. Skin-to-
skin contact is described by Stevens, Schmied, Burns and Dahlen (2014) as the practice through
which bonding between a naked infant and the mother is established is established by placing the
baby on its mothers’ bare skin while covering the exposed back using warmers such as towels
and blankets. According to Frederick, Busen, Engebretson, Hurst and Schneider, K. M. (2016),
SSC is one of the most effective techniques of fostering natural care in the post natal period
between the neonate and the mother. Similarly, SSC is reported by Brady, Bulpitt and Chiarelli
(2014) as an essential way of enhancing both the emotional and physiological welfare of the
parties involved. On the other hand, Srivastava, Gupta, Bhatnagar and Dutta (2014) demystify
that SSC avails an ideal environment for effective neonatal acclimatization to the extra uterine
life by enhancing stress reductions, efficient control of the central nervous system and
preservation of quite sleep. Similarly, Aghdas, Talat and Sepideh (2014) highlight that infants
that undergo the SSC process tend to attain and maintain proper thermoregulatory mechanisms at
a faster rate than their counterparts placed in cribs or shawled in blankets. Correspondingly,
Chiou, Chen, L. C., Yeh, Wu and Chien (2014) explain the process imposes an increase in the
neonate’s sleep time, diminishment in the levels of crying and physical activity. Likewise, Chiou
et al. (2014) demystify that exposure to SSC enhances the mother’s levels of maternal sensitivity
and responsiveness.
There is need for inclusion of educational programs aimed at teaching women on the
most effective ways of fostering transitions to new parents. According to Mathias, Mianda and
Ginindza (2018), bonding is a crucial aspect of parenthood as it plays a significant role in

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fostering the establishment of relationships between a newborn and the mother. On the other
hand, Ruiz et al. (2017) propose that instructional materials put in place need to adopt a risk-
benefit approach aimed at guiding the involved agencies towards implementing informed
decisions. The proposed fact sheet will act as an effective blueprint of educating the concerned
agencies on the efficacy of skin –to –skin care as an essential practice when implementing post-
operative procedures following cesarean section. As a consequence, the current study seeks to
present a proposal for the establishment of a new information resource in the form of a fact sheet
for women on early skin-to-skin contact after cesarean section.
Purpose of the Fact Sheet
The proposed fact sheet targets mothers and nurses dealing with women during
parturition. Consequently, the information resource will be of great essence in availing both
mothers and caregivers essential clinical information on the importance of adopting SSC as an
essential bonding intervention immediately after the mother is considered to be on their mettle
and responsive following Cesarean section. According to Riccardi (2016), fact sheets boast of
their positions as informational resources that are short, easy to read, being to-the point,
inexpensive and time saving. The fact that the material will only make use of a single page to
avail the targeted audience with the message of intent reveals its efficacy in communicating the
key messages relating to early skin-to-skin contact following a Cesarean section.
Therefore, the proposed fact sheet will play a crucial role in guiding both the caregivers
and the mother through the essential steps involved when undertaking early skin-to-skin contact
following a Cesarean section. Similarly, the informational resource will present critical issues
such as the desired practices, advantages, disadvantages and benefits of pursuing SSC in clinical
settings. Despite the wealth of information to be availed by the proposed fact sheet, caution must

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be taken as it is not supposed to be implemented as a standalone document. Consequently, it
should not be used in singularity as a guide when implementing SSC.
Rationale for the Expected Benefits
The expected benefits of the fact sheet as a resource material emanates from its efficacy
in delivering the information of intent. According to Riccardi (2016), the value of an educational
resource material in healthcare is judged based on its effectiveness in availing the desired
information to the audience of target within the shortest time possible. The fact that fact sheets
boast of their positions as resource materials that are short reveals their essence in clinical
settings dealing with mothers and caregivers. On the other hand, the mothers under parturition
face the challenges of going through the healing process, establishing maternal bonds with their
newborns and attending to their families. Fact sheets embrace the thumb rule that they must be
kept short. Therefore, only a single page is required to ensure that the information regarding
SSC is communicated to the audience of target. Such a step ensures that only the necessary
pieces of information are included to suite the targeted populations.
Despite the scope of covering the intended information, fact sheets will present multiple
benefits among the targeted populations as they are easy to read, to the point, inexpensive and
save time. According to Riccardi (2016), fact sheets boast of their positions as resource materials
that are easy to read as they are aligned in the same way as books with the availability of
chapters. Therefore, the targeted readers are capable of acquiring the pieces of information they
need just at a glance. Similarly, factsheets only guide the consumers based on key points and
avail the desired factual truths while giving the readers the directions on how to undertake deeper
researches at their own will. Therefore, the proposed resource material will act as a post training

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instruments for nurses and midwifes by presenting them with a step by step framework on the
best practices in SSC, as well as the advantages and potential benefits of SSC.
Kangaroo mother care does not only avail immediate short term benefits but also presents
both the infant and the mother with long term gains. According to Charpak et al. (2017) proper
education and application of the required procedures in SSC avails long term gains on the side of
the newborn such as reduced risk of contracting infections, increasing the child’s tendencies of
leading a happy life after the third month, efficiency in comprehending instructions and
enhanced rate of growth and maturation. On the other hand, Loughlin (2018) demystifies that
kangaroo care boosts the child’s ability to foster emotional and cognitive abilities while
enhancing the degrees of attachment. Consequently, the proposed fact sheet will act as a critical
tool of availing the multiple benefits associated with SSC by availing an instrument of
instruction that is short, up to date and produced using research based evidences.
Why the Fact Sheet is needed
The healthcare environment has seen an increase in the levels of interests among
midwifes on the efficacy of extending the application of SSC in cesarean births as a way of
enhancing both the emotional and physiological states of the newborn and the mother. According
to Aghdas et al. (2014), cesarean sections accounts for about 33% of all births across the globe.
According to Stevens et al. (2014), Cesarean deliveries introduce massive disruptions to natural
methods of childbirth and leads to separation between the mother and the child. Lack of effective
bonding could result into alterations in the infant’s ability to establish responses while
heightening the stress, pain and anxiety levels on the side of the mother. On the other hand,
Chiou et al. (2014) reveal that imposition of stressful conditions on the mother acts as a
precursor to an increase in the levels of secretion of salivary biomarkers. Considering the

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negative effects of the adversities associated with poor implementation of SSC, there is need for
creation of a blueprint in the form of a fact sheet aimed at fostering education of staff,
institutionalization of peer coaching and establishment of institutional role models.
Over the years, transition nurses and midwifes have developed fears of adopting SSC
following cesarean birth. According to Stevens et al. (2014), most of the practitioners given the
obligation of administering anesthesia develop worries of the increasing workloads as they
presume that they will be held responsible for monitoring the newborn while undertaking SSC
with the mother. Similarly, Kollmann et al. (2017) explain that there are multiple concerns on the
side of pediatricians concerning the efficacy of the processes adopted during SSC in fostering
proper transitions between the mother and the newborn. The fact that the proposed fact sheet will
play the role of a solid educational plan reveals its effectiveness in ensuring that parties drawn
from an inter -professional array acquires the knowledge needed to foster safe administration of
SSC, the possible dangers associated with the procedure, the importance of SSC in cesarean
settings, probable misconceptions held as well as the most effective ways of tackling the dangers
of this process.
Facilitators to Implementation
The fact that most of the nurses and midwifes are aware of the benefits of implementing
SSC will act as a facilitator to effective implementation of the resource material. On the other
hand, the dire need for mothers to establish bonds with their newborns will play a crucial role in
spearheading the implementation of the proposed initiative. Similarly, SSC as a post birth
practice finds wider acceptation in clinical settings. Consequently, it is expected that the
implementation of the factsheet will proceed with minimal resistance.

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Barriers
The overwhelming workload on the side of midwifes and nurses will act as an
impediment to proper adoption of the factsheet. Similarly, lack of institutional support in through
allocation of funds to purchase the desired equipment will hinder proper adoption of the fact
sheet.
Evaluation
The effectiveness of the informational resource will be vetted by the use of structured
questionnaires and survey. Mothers and caregivers recruited will be presented with semi
structured questionnaires and surveys to reveal their experiences before and after adoption of the
initiative.
Recommendations
There is need for nurses and midwifes dealing with mothers undertaking Cesarean section
as a method of delivery to adopt and strengthen the implementation of SSC. While most of the
practitioners are weary of the dangers and challenges associated with the process, institutions
must aim at establishing programs meant to enhance its acceptance based on its efficacy in
enhancing the advancement of mothering traits, success in breastfeeding and instilling proper
adaptation of the infant to the prevailing extra-uterine environment.
While most of the medical institutions have adopted SSC as a routine practice following
cesarean section, I recommend that the proposed factsheet should be incorporated in order to
foster the inclusion of evidence based practices. However, proper measures need to be taken to
ensure that both maternal and neonatal stability are fostered, institutions implement that
strategies aimed at offering solutions to the staffing issues revealed by their organizations, and

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long lasing solutions are adopted to tackle both mechanical and technical issues associated with
equipment failures in the course of implementation of SSC.

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