Factors associated with early skin-to-skin mother/infant contact during the first 3 hours following birth

Purpose: Identification of maternal infant-feeding method intention, socio-demographic characteristics, and intrapartum variables that increased the likelihood of early skin-to-skin mother/infant contact during the first 3 hours following birth.

Study Design and Method: A nurse-driven hospital-based prospective cohort study of data collected in 19 hospitals in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, California by Perinatal Services Network (PSN). Mothers (n= 21,842) who delivered a singleton (37- 40 weeks gestation, and not separated from their baby for more than one hour during the hospital stay) between July 2005 through June 2006 were included in the study. Univariate and multivariable ordinal logistic regression models were employed to identify predictors of an increasing likelihood of early skin-to-skin mother/infant contact (hospital and primary maternal language were controlled).

Results: Multivariable ordinal logistic regression showed that hospital of birth played a major role in predicting early skin-to-skin contact. After adjusting for hospital of birth, analgesia/anesthesia, high school education, college education and graduate education attainment, vaginal delivery, intention to exclusively breastfeed or mixed feed, and Caucasian background, were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of early skin-to-skin mother/infant contact during the first 3 hours following birth.

Clinical Implications: Early skin-to-skin mother/infant contact was found to be beneficial to both the mother and infant. This study revealed predictors of early skin-to-skin mother/infant contact. Health care providers understanding of what presages low skin-to-skin mother/infant contact may enable peripartum staff to provide those least likely to engage in early skin-to-skin mother/infant contact with special attention.