Funding information Chilean Ministry of Health; Karolinska
Institute, Stockolm, ;Malardalens
University, Vasteras, Sweden
Abstract Aim: Separating infants and their parents after a Caesarean section is still the routine
care worldwide. This study investigated three caregiving models on the wakefulness
and physiological parameters of full-term infants after an elective Caesarean section.
Methods: Newborn infants born in a Chilean public hospital in 2009-12 were ran-
domised to three groups: cot, fathers' arms or skin-to-skin contact with their fa-
ther. They were assessed at 15-minute intervals, from 45 to 120 minutes after the
Caesarean section. Their physiological parameters were measured, and their wakeful-
ness was assessed using the Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale.
Results: We studied 95 infant (53% girls) born at a mean gestational age of
38.9 ± 0.9 weeks. Heart rates were significantly higher in the skin-to-skin than cot or
fathers' arms groups and showed greater stability over time. Wakefulness was initially
higher in the skin-to-skin group, but there were no significant differences by the end
of the observation. There were no differences between the groups in peripheral oxy-
gen saturation. Skin-to-skin contact had no negative impact on the infants.
Conclusion: The skin-to-skin group showed some advantages over the cot and fa-
thers' arms groups when it came to establishing stable physiological parameters and
wakefulness. This approach should be supported during mother-infant separation.
K E Y W O R D S Caesarean section, full-term infants, physiological adaptation, skin-to-skin contact,
wakefulness
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