Influence on operative time of immediate skin‐to‐skin care in low‐risk primary cesarean births for breech presentation: Retrospective cohort study

Abstract

BackgroundMultiple benefits for both, mother and baby have been reported from immediate skin‐to‐skin care (SSC). The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of SSC on operative time and blood loss in primary cesarean births for breech presentation.MethodsA SSC protocol for cesarean birth was implemented in our institution on February 25, 2019. In this single‐center retrospective cohort study, we compared the outcomes of planned primary cesarean births for breech presentation at term before and after its implementation.ResultsData from 110 women who had a cesarean birth for breech presentation at term were analyzed, 55 in each group. Group 1 were women who had immediate SSC and Group 2 were women without immediate SSC. Maternal and surgical characteristics, and neonatal outcomes were similar in both groups. The mean operative time was 3.22 minutes shorter in the immediate SSC group compared with the not immediate SSC group (37.13 ± 12.27 vs 40.35 ± 12.23 minutes; P = 0.171).ConclusionsIn conclusion, immediate SSC following a low‐risk cesarean birth for breech presentation neither prolongs the operative time nor increases blood loss during the procedure. Although we were unable to demonstrate a significant reduction in the operative time with the immediate SSC protocol, a decrease of 3 minutes was noted.

Skin‐to‐skin contact after birth: Developing a research and practice guideline

“…Pain during episiotomy repair 61 and postpartum use of synthetic oxytocin 57,58 have also been found to be lessened by skin‐to‐skin contact. Measurements of operative time and blood loss showed no ill effects from skin‐to‐skin contact 62 and maternal plasma haemoglobin levels at discharge were significantly higher 63 . When combined with EENC both the duration of the third stage of labour and blood loss have been shown to decrease 32 …”