The Effect of Skin-to-Skin Contact on Placental Separation Time and Initiation of Breastfeeding

The first hour and minutes immediately after birth are quite important for both the mother and the newborn. Ensuring skin-to-skin contact (SSC) during this period has a positive effect on the mother both psychologically and physiologically, and it is also important in starting breastfeeding. The study was conducted to examine the effect of SSC on placental separation time and initiation of breastfeeding. This is a randomized controlled study. The sample of the study consists of a total of 84 women with primiparous birth and vaginal delivery, including 42 experimental and 42 controls. Data were collected using a personal information form, a chronometer, and the LATCH scale. The placental separation time for those in the experimental and control groups was determined by using a chronometer. Initiation and assessment of breastfeeding were evaluated at the first and 24th hours of birth using the LATCH scale. The signs of placental separation occurred earlier in the experimental group than in the control group. The mean placental separation time was found to be 7.05 ± 4.37 minutes in the experimental group and 13.41 ± 5.24 minutes in the control group. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of placental separation time ( = 0.0001). This study concludes that SSC in the third stage of labor ensures earlier separation of the placenta and is effective in initiating breastfeeding.