Since February of last year, the Hospital La Paz in Madrid took a great step in the humanization of childbirth: it implemented the “skin-to-skin” practice between the mother and the newborn after a cesarean section, as well as the accompaniment of a family member during the intervention of the patient in the operating room.
But with the arrival of Covid-19, the protocols had to be modified and these practices were suspended during the high peaks of the pandemic “for reasons of health and safety of the newborn.” Now the Hospital La Paz announces that these practices so beneficial for all are being recovered.
From March to May 2020, 1,500 deliveries have been attended at the center, of which 120 have been cases in which the mother was positive for coronavirus infection.
Since the end of June, the La Paz Maternal Hospital has recovered the usual delivery program , allowing both negative mothers and those with positive CRP, the presence of a companion and the performance of “skin-to-skin early” with the newborn after cesarean delivery.
In the case of natural births, the companions and “skin to skin” in the delivery room have been maintained “at all times”, except for those mothers positive for coronavirus infection who during the peak of the pandemic and according to the protocols in force at that time could not carry it out, although for almost two months both skin-to-skin, breastfeeding, and mother-baby co-stay have been “common” practice in these cases as well.
Safety measures in childbirth
Every patient who comes to give birth to Hospital La Paz, will undergo a control PCR test according to the protocol established by the hospital for prevention and safety reasons.
In addition, the following safety measures must be followed: the patient and the companion must keep the preventive measures, wear a mask, wash their hands frequently and follow the instructions of the health personnel at all times.
Skin-to-skin benefits
With the recovery of the early ‘ skin-to-skin ‘ (CPP) technique, by placing the baby on the mother’s naked torso, as soon as it is born or shortly after, the improvement of the physiological and emotional well-being of newborns and their mothers is sought , helping to better recover from the stress of childbirth. The newborn is covered by a warm towel or cloth in the first two hours after birth.
According to the Hospital La Paz, the newborn is in a calm alert phase , caused by the discharge of norepinephrine during delivery.
This facilitates the early recognition of the maternal odor and thus, establish the link and the adaptation to the postnatal environment. This technique benefits the mother and the neonate fundamentally by facilitating spontaneous latching and breastfeeding as well as allowing the regulation of body temperature, respiratory improvement and aiding uterine regression, among others.
Father’s accompaniment
Allowing the father, or anyone else, to accompany the mother in the operating room during a cesarean section is also very important for the couple, although not all hospitals allow it.
The woman is accompanied by someone close and trustworthy who supports her at all times, being a great incentive from an emotional point of view.
In Babies and more | Skin to skin is not an “absurd modernity”, it is very important for mother and baby
