Randomized controlled trial of early skin-to-skin contact: effects on the mother and the newborn

Objective: To estimate the influence of skin‐to‐skin care on the thermal regulation of the infant and the rate of breastfeeding at different points of time. We also aim to establish whether skin‐to‐skin contact reduces maternal pain during episiotomy repair and decreases the time to expel the placenta. Methods: A randomized control study was performed with 137 patients in each branch of the study. Differences between the study groups were analysed with the unpaired t‐test, Fisher test or chi‐square test as appropriate. Results: Greater thermal stability in the skin‐to‐skin care group was found where an average temperature rise of 0.07°C was observed. Mothers in the skin‐to‐skin care group exclusively breastfed more frequently at discharge. Mean time to expel the placenta was lesser in the skin‐to‐skin care group. Conclusion: This study shows that skin‐to‐skin care implies better thermal regulation and a better proportion of exclusive breastfeeding at hospital discharge.