The effect of hormones secreted by skin to skin contact on the separation time of the placenta

Purpose: This study was aimed to investigate the effect of hormones on the duration of separation of plasma skin to skin contact. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with 40 women (20 cases, 20 controls) who applied to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Celal Bayar University Faculty of Medicine between January and July 2018. Blood samples were taken during routine check-up before and after the birth of 1 cc of blood for our study. Blood samples were stored in the deep freezer at -80 degrees until all of the bloods were collected. Then, beta-endorphins, catecholamines and oxytocin were analyzed. Data were taken using the socio-demographic data form. In addition, the effect of skin to skin contact on placenta seperation time was measured with an observational chronometer. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to evaluate the data. Findings: The mean age of mothers in the case group was 28.55±5.97, the mean age of mothers in the control group was 26.75±6.58. Statistically, the levels of oxytocin in control prepartum and case prepartum groups decreased, while beta-endorphin levels increased and catecholamine levels did not change. There is no significant difference between control postpartum and case postpartum groups in terms of oxytocin, beta-endorphin and catecholamine levels (p>0.05). In addition, the seperation time of the placenta was shorter in the case group compared to the control group. There is a statistically significant difference between them (p<0.05). Results: Skin to skin contact at birth is a factor affecting the separation time of the placenta. Health professionals should be informed and awareness about skin to skin contact should be increased in the early postpartum period. Key Words: Skin to skin contact, oxytocin, beta-endorphin, catecholamine, placenta