Postpartum Experiences of Early Skin-to-Skin Contact and the Traditional Separation Approach After a Very Preterm Birth: A Qualitative Study Among Mothers

Anne Marit Føreland; Helene Engesland; Laila Kristoffersen; Liv Fegran

doi:10.1177/23333936221097116

Postpartum Experiences of Early Skin-to-Skin Contact and the Traditional Separation Approach After a Very Preterm Birth: A Qualitative Study Among Mothers

Glob Qual Nurs Res. 2022 May 19:9:23333936221097116. doi: 10.1177/23333936221097116. eCollection 2022 Jan-Dec.

Authors

Anne Marit Føreland^{1

2}, Helene Engesland¹, Laila Kristoffersen^{3

4}, Liv Fegran^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Hospital of Southern Norway, Kristiansand, Norway.
² University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway.
³ St. Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
⁴ University of Science and Technology, (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.

Abstract

Traditional care immediately after very preterm birth separates the mother and child by the transfer of the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit. A nonseparation approach is currently being considered, allowing early skin-to-skin contact in the delivery room/postoperative care unit. This study aimed to explore mothers' experiences of early skin-to-skin contact and traditional care. A qualitative study using individual semi-structured interviews with five mothers from each of the two groups was conducted. Content analysis revealed that both groups' experiences were characterized by (i) mothers' need to be affirmed of their infants' vitality, (ii) bonding challenges, and (iii) benefits of skin-to-skin contact. We suggest that early skin-to-skin contact after very preterm births is crucial for the bonding process and mothers' feelings of safety and well-being. When early skin-to-skin contact is infeasible, our findings reveal the significance of photos, information, and the father's presence at the time of postpartum separation.

Keywords: Norway; bonding; early skin-to-skin contact; mothers’ experience postpartum; qualitative research; very preterm birth.