Initiation of Term Newborn Skin-To-Skin Contact in the Operating Room Following Scheduled Cesarean Section: A DNP Capstone Project

Breastfeeding provides many short and long-term health benefits to the mother and the newborn, however breastfeeding rates are lower among women who deliver via Cesarean Section as compared to those who deliver vaginally. Key initiatives to improve successful breastfeeding include skin-to-skin contact soon after birth, initiation of breastfeeding within an hour of birth, limited maternal-newborn separation and frequent on-demand feedings. Despite the multiple health benefits to both the mother and the newborn, hospital policies and existing practices can be a significant barrier to breastfeeding. The purpose of the project was to implement newborn skin-to-skin contact in the operating room as the standard of care, for all mothers who indicate an intention to breastfeed, and who deliver a term newborn via a scheduled Cesarean Section at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.No embarg