Operating Room Reflection

I work in the operating room in the labor and delivery suite. I have worked there for the past two years and have gained L&D experience, but I am primarily a circulating nurse in the operating room. Lately there has been a push to promote skin-to-skin care with mother and the newborn infant post Cesarean Section in the operating room. This skin-to-skin contact, also referred to as Kangaroo Care, can contribute to newborn thermoregulation and blood glucose stabilization, increased milk production, ease with breastfeeding, more confidence and stronger attachment, as well as distraction from discomfort. I understand promoting this after a vaginal delivery, but am curious about the experience occurring after a C-section in the operating room and …show more content…
The Iowa model facilitates initial testing of interventions before application of a practice change, and also uses the idea of knowledge- and problem focused triggers that begin a need for evidence-based practice change. A champion team concept was utilized in which team members of several disciplines present in the operating room during a C-section were chosen to collaborate. The members were to specifically voice concerns and issues related to their disciplines regarding skin to skin care in the operating room. In particular the following was reported; concerns with maintaining the sterile field were voiced by the obstetrician and the lactation consultant was troubled with not having enough space to function at the mother’s head as well as concerns on the best method to comfort and care for both mom and baby during skin to skin contact time. Also, the anesthesia discipline raised concerns related to not having enough room for another healthcare provider to be at the mother’s head in order to perform the skin to skin care (Stone, Prater & Spencer, …show more content…
The purpose was to evaluate the effect of Skin-to-Skin (Kangaroo Care). In this study 2 groups were formed. One group was mother and infant that would participate in skin to skin care right after delivery while the other group was mother and infant not utilizing the contact care. The total participants were 47 pairs of mother-baby with no medical issues. The skin to skin study group was provided kangaroo care soon after delivery for a total of an hour while the control group did not receive this care. Once the infants were taken to the nursery they were observed for one hour. The infants that received kangaroo care slept longer and were in more of a peaceful state. They also displayed more flexor postures and less extensor movements (Ferber & Makhoul,