Effects of Paternal Skin Contact on Physical Parameters, Cortisol Levels and Newborn Comfort: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Abstract

Aim: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of skin-to-skin contact between newborns born by cesarean section and their fathers on the newborns' physiological parameters, salivary cortisol levels, and comfort.

Materials and methods: In this study, which used a randomized controlled experimental design, 80 healthy term newborns delivered by cesarean section. In the intervention group, the fathers applied skin-to-skin contact (SSC) for 45 minutes to their newborns. In the control group, the newborns received routine care. Data were collected using a parent descriptive information form, newborn descriptive information form, (SSC) monitoring form, and Neonatal Comfort Behavior Scale|Newborn Comfort Behavior Scale. Body temperature, oxygen saturation, heart rate, and respiration were measured, and salivary cortisol analysis was performed.

Results: No significant differences were found regarding the sociodemographic characteristics in the intervention and control groups. Body temperature was significantly higher during (20th minute) and after (45th minute) SSC, whereas heart and respiratory rates were significantly lower in newborns in the intervention group than those in the control group. The 45-minute SPO 2 values and comfort levels of the intervention group newborns were also significantly higher than those of the control group newborns. The salivary cortisol level was significantly higher in the intervention group at the 20th minute, but there was no significant difference between the groups at the 45th minute.

Conclusion: Paternal SSC with newborns has positive effect on physiological parameters and patient comfort. However, it is recommended that salivary cortisol levels be studied in larger samples with repeated and long-term measurements.