Implementation of Kangaroo Care Immediately After Childbirth

Author: Kyoko KISAKA ; Tomomi UENO ; Mayumi ASHIDA ; Kayoko ISHIKAWA ; Chizuru OGAWA ; Masafumi OKUMOTO ; Hiroe KATAYAMA ; Chieko KANENAGA ; Keiko MUKAI
Publication Type:Journal Article
MeSH: Mothers; Child; Kangaroo Care; Human Females; Labor (Childbirth)
From:Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 2006;55(1):35-40
CountryJapan
Language:Japanese
Abstract: Nowadays, the merits of early mother-child contact are being recognized once again. In expectation of beneficial effects on mother-infant relationships, our hospital has launched a kangaroo care program for mothers and their healthy infants immediately after birth. This study was conducted to elucidate the positive impact this postpartal care had produced on mothers. For this purpose, questionnaires were mailed to the women who had given birth to children in our hospital and their impressions were heard about the experience during the first hours or days after delivery. Many said that they were deeply impressed because they could realize what it is like to be a mother. It was also found that there are an increasing number of women who wish to make physical contact with newborn children soon after delivery and stay close as long as possible, bringing their infants to their chest. Mother-child interaction seemed to create a sense of security and a feeling of trust. From the present study, we concluded that our kangaroo care program could influence mothers' mental health and behavior very favorably.