Skin-to-Skin Contact With a Sling in Primipar Mothers Who Delivered by Cesarean Section

The first hours after birth are critical for the physiological and psychological adaptation process of the newborn from intrauterine to extrauterine life. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends skin-to-skin contact as a routine part of care to stabilize the newborn's vital signs and strengthen the mother-infant bond. However, the rate of skin-to-skin contact in women who give birth by cesarean section is lower compared to vaginal deliveries. Considering the global increase in cesarean birth rates, it is necessary to develop appropriate and practical care methods for mothers and newborns who deliver by cesarean section. The literature has examined the effects of the duration of skin-to-skin contact on breastfeeding initiation, neonatal hypothermia, and cardiopulmonary stability. However, studies aimed at increasing the duration of skin-to-skin contact are limited. This study compares the effects of standard skin-to-skin contact and skin-to-skin contact using a sling on the duration of skin-to-skin contact, postpartum breastfeeding success, and physiological weight loss of the newborn in primiparous mothers who delivered by cesarean section.