Implementing an Enhanced Birth Experience for Family‐Centered Cesarean Birth

Poster PresentationPurpose for the ProgramTo create a more family‐centered birth experience for the woman undergoing a cesarean birth.Proposed ChangeBased on evidence, our perinatal clinical practice committee chose to implement specific changes to create an enhanced birth experience called Family‐Centered C‐Section. We realized that about one third of our patients did not get to experience a home‐like birthing environment or have immediate skin‐to‐skin contact with their newborns. Our interventions included dim operating room (OR) lighting, patient‐selected music, minimal to no family separation (i.e., support person remains at the patient's side through the entire perioperative period), skin‐to‐skin contact, and initiating breastfeeding in the OR.Implementation, Outcomes, and EvaluationA multidisciplinary team approach was taken: labor and delivery (L&D) nurses, anesthesiologists, obstetricians, pediatric hospitalists, nursery nurses, neonatal nurse practitioners, OR technicians and nurses, and maintenance personnel all had input into the innovative practice. Logistical issues were considered and resolved. Equipment was moved around the room in different positions, electrical work was done to dim the overhead fluorescent lights, and speakers were purchased with dock and auxiliary jacks for phones to play music. Education for the nurses and physicians followed regarding the new process. Like any change, we encountered staff who were excited and staff wh...
Source: Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Childbearing Source Type: research