Early skin-to-skin contact in a child friendly hospital: perceptions of the obstetric nurses

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective To know the nurses' perception about early skin-to-skin contact. Methods A qualitative and exploratory-descriptive study carried out at the Obstetric Center of a university hospital in southern Brazil. The participants were eight nurses who answered a qualitative interview in April 2019. The interviews followed a guiding script and were analyzed according to thematic content analysis: data sorting and classification and final analysis. Results Nurses know the skin-to-skin contact practice and the importance of doing it properly. In their work routine, they perceive that this contact does not happen as it should and they understand the importance of recording it. Conclusion Nurses aim for skin-to-skin contact to be carried out in an early and uninterrupted manner; however, the limitations related to the health team's work processes are highlighted. The study reinforces the importance of reducing unnecessary interventions at birth.