Maternal experiences of postpartum skin to skin contact and early kangaroo care for primiparous mothers and their infants

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Skin-to-skin contact after birth is recognized as evidence-based best practice and contributes to improved short- and long-term health outcomes, including reduced infant mortality. The aim of the study was to provide strategic recommendations for nurses, midwives and parents based on the maternal experiences of primiparous mothers regarding postpartum skin-to-skin contact and early kangaroo care. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The study on Maternal Experiences of Primiparous Mothers Regarding Postpartum Skin-to-Skin Contact and Early Kangaroo Care was conducted as a quasi-experimental mixed design research. RESULTS: Three themes were obtained as a result of thematic analysis. The themes are "Mothers' Experiences Related to Skin-to-Skin Contact Practice", "Mothers' Opinions on Postpartum Kangaroo Care", "Mothers' Skin-to-Skin Contact Practice and Kangaroo Care Suggestions". DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Early skin-to-skin contact has positive effects for both first-time mothers and newborns (Leblanc & Pelletier, 2020). Skin-to-skin contact and kangaroo care should be expanded in health institutions in our country. Parents and people who will support the mother in the postnatal period should be educated about the benefits of skin-to-skin contact and kangaroo care in terms of mother and baby health. Nurses and midwives should be trained on skin-to-skin contact and kangaroo care and should be supported to provide this care. Keywords: Maternal Experience, Midwifery, Nursing, Kangaroo Care, Skin-to-Skin Contact