I have to do an assignment/presentaion on skin to skin contact after birth.

I am just a bit unsure if it is appropriate to include kangaroo care or not. I know it is skin to skin contact usually with premature/sick babies, but would it be viewed as 'going off track' to include this in my assignment and or presentation?

My assignment is only 1000 words, so I am also mindful of the word limitation, and don't want to include something I would be better off leaving out.

Does that make sense lol?

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
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Id put it in as its a real heavyweight in the skin to skin debate. In short, some thinkers believe in doing away with incubators and going with skin to skin instead for premmies so if its good for the prems....so yea Id add it. Have you got the neonatal nurse angle in? when I was on SCBU they didnt like skin to skin at birth much as babes temp can drop quickly and end up in SCBU esp if they are Prem and things like conduction, convection, radiation and evaporation arent fully considered.

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Thanks J ™,

I did think it would be good to put it in, but just wasn't sure.

No, I haven't thought about that, I have an article that says skin to skin is good for Prem babies, as long as they are healthy otherwsie. But I haven't found anything that discounts that idea.

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
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Educational Resources Manager

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I'm not at university yet, but had a premature baby myself - 29 wks gestation. Kangaroo care is amazing especially for the mum who hasnt been able to hold or even touch her newborn for days maybe even wks as they cannot come out of incubator. I absolutly loved it, and Isobels (my preemie baby - shes 3 now!) stats showed an effect too. They were better when she came out for a cuddle!. Its a familier sound, comforting for them, and warmth with skin to skin contact. If I had this essay I would certainly include it. I think very appropriate! Its up to you at the end of the day! If you know a neo-natal nurse or midwife with experience in this type of care, have a chat with them and they'll sing its praises. Its important for mum to have contact (and dad!) as soon as possible - encourages bonding as usually preemie babies or newborns born unwell or with difficulties are whisked straight away without a glimpse of mummy or daddy.
Hope this helps!!!
xxx

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Cardiff Student Midwife 2008!!

Thanks katie,

I really appreciate you sharing a Mum's perspective on this, and I will now definately include it in my essay

Skin to skin and kangaroo care weren't even thought about let alone encouraged when I had my children, so it is all new to me.

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
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Educational Resources Manager

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Yeay! Its fab. Charity Bliss have loads of info on it. It was created by a columbian peadiatrician called Edgar Ray in 1978 due to lack of incubators - no change there, hey! but has been developed and now widely used. 24 hrs a day in undeveloped countries! Theres info all over the internet anyway. This is something close to my heart and have researched! Good luck with your essay - hope I get to do this one! x

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Cardiff Student Midwife 2008!!

Thanks Kate,

I can't believe I didn't think to look on the BLISS website, that is a charity very close to my heart. two of my children had to spend time in scbu, and so I know how upsetting and frightening it can be for parents.

I will check their website, thanks very much for all your help.

Pauline xx

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
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having read your original post again MM I would just say that i think you might be in danger of going off focus which is what you were worried about in the first place! Sorry to p*** on your chips, just wanted to give you a heads up! If your first year essays are supposed to focus on the normal aspects of midwifery (as is usually the case) then kangaroo care, for scbu babies wont include this. As great as kangaroo care is, it will suffice with a nod and a wink and a couple hundred words, as you really only have 1000 to play with in the first place which imho is pitifully few!!

hope havent stepped over the line?
good luck
x

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Many thanks for bringing me back to my focal point ollybolly,

My essay is about normal birth, so that is defiantely a point I need to consider, I don't want to be marked down because I have 'gone off track'

I agree 1000 words isn't very many to cover a topic like this in any depth. which is why I am so keen to remain focused on the title which is; what role does the midwife play in providing skin to skin?

So, thinking about it, I don't feel that including kangaroo care actually fits into that at all.

You haven't stepped over the line hun, and I really appreciate your advice

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

Please help us raise funds for a bereavement room in Honey's memory by taking part in the SMNET Auction & Raffle here thanks x

you're welcome!
Glad you have re-focused, but think it would be good to give it a wee mention (sorry!) but just a wee one! differentiate the two (skin2skin and kangaroo) to show your understanding (always a winner!) stress the midwife role in both but emphasise their role in s2s more so go with that....and remember...as if you havent had it drummed into you enough already....REFERENCE!!!!!!!!!! aaaaagggggghhhhh
good luck hun
pm me with it if you want me to cast my eyes over it, a fresh pair sometimes helps
x

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STMW 2nd year - no, really!

Please help us raise funds for a bereavement room in Honey's memory by taking part in the SMNET Auction & Raffle here thanks x