Early versus later skin-to-skin contact for mothers and newborns after cesarean birth
Investigation of the Effects of Early Skin-to-Skin Contact on Mother and Baby in Cesarean Births
This study will test whether starting skin-to-skin contact right after cesarean delivery versus later in the post‑operative period helps reduce stress and improve feeding for mothers and their term newborns.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Kutahya Health Sciences University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Merkez, Kütahya) |
| Trial ID | NCT07111949 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional study assigns mothers who have cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia to receive skin-to-skin contact either in the operating room immediately after birth or later in the post-operative unit. Researchers will compare maternal outcomes (pain, salivary cortisol, and satisfaction), newborn stress and physiological measures, and newborn sucking success between the two timing approaches. Eligible participants are term singleton pregnancies (37–40 weeks) with birthweight 2500–4500 g and Apgar scores ≥7, and mothers aged 18–45 without major medical or psychiatric conditions. The study is conducted at Kutahya Health Sciences University and involves monitoring during and after the skin-to-skin contact periods.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are mothers aged 18–45 planning a cesarean with spinal anesthesia at 37–40 weeks with a healthy singleton fetus (birthweight 2500–4500 g) who live in Kütahya and agree to participate.
Not a fit: Patients unlikely to benefit include those having general anesthesia, preterm or multiple births, infants with congenital anomalies or feeding impediments, and mothers with significant medical or psychiatric conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, earlier skin-to-skin contact after cesarean could lower maternal and newborn stress, improve early breastfeeding success and maternal satisfaction, and reduce delays in post-birth care.
How similar studies have performed: Skin-to-skin contact after vaginal birth is well supported to reduce stress and improve breastfeeding, and smaller studies of early SSC after cesarean have shown promising but less consistent benefits.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Mothers; * Planning a cesarean section with spinal anesthesia * Being between the ages of 18-45 * Having a singleton pregnancy * Being between the gestational age of 37-40 weeks * Not having any known health problems (diabetes, gestational diabetes, hypertension, preeclampsia, renal failure, cardiac problems, psychiatric disorders, etc.) * Agreeing to participate in the study * Having stable general conditions and vital signs before the skin-to-skin contact procedure * Residing in Kütahya Newborns (0-28 days) * Having a gestational age between 37-40 weeks * Having a birth weight between 2500-4500 grams * 1-5. Apgar score ≥ 7 per minute * No health problems, anomalies or congenital diseases * No conditions that prevent sucking such as frenulum (tongue tie) or palate problems Exclusion Criteria: * Caesarean births performed with general anesthesia * Normal births
Where this trial is running
Merkez, Kütahya
- Kütahya Health Sciences University — Merkez, Kütahya, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Betül Yavuz, PhD
- Email: betul.yavuz@ksbu.edu.tr
- Phone: +90 274 260 00 43
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.