Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Ph.D. Student of Reproductive Health, Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
2
Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ovulation Dysfunction Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
3
Lecturer of Midwifery, Ovulation Dysfunction Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
4
Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Education and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction: The first hours of childbirth are a critical period for formation of the mother-infant attachment and reduce anxiety regarding infant and separating mother and infant at this time lead to harmful effects. The Purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of skin to skin contact, immediately after delivery on mother-infant attachment and anxiety regarding infant.
Methods: This Randomized controlled trial was conducted on 114 primigravid mothers who referred to Om-ol-banin hospital of Mashhad, Iran in 2008. The Participants were divided into two groups, skin to skin contact and usual care groups. In skin-to-skin contact group, naked infants were placed chest to chest position immediately after delivery on skin contact with their mothers. In usual care group, infants were placed under radiant heater after delivery. Maternal and infants data were collected using questionnaire. Two groups followed up at end of the neonatal period to assess mother-infant attachment and anxiety regarding infant. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 14, Chi square, independent t-tests and Mann-Whitney tests. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: 92 mother-infant dyads completed the study. The mean of maternal attachment in skin to skin contact group was significantly higher than the usual care group (51.17±3.88 vs. 49.19±4.56, (p=0.02)) and mean of anxiety regarding infant in skin to skin contact group was significantly lower than the usual care group (28.2±3.32 vs. 26.07±4.16, (p=0.03).
Conclusion: Mother-infant skin to skin contact increase maternal attachment and reduce anxiety regarding infant.
Keywords
)