Preventing peri-operative maternal and neonatal hypothermia after skin-to-skin contact

This small Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) study aims to investigate whether there is any connection between maternal and infant hypothermia for babies delivered by caesarean section while the baby undergoes skin-to-skin contact (SSC). 20 pregnant women booked for elective caesarean section (singleton pregnancy) and their newborn babies were consented and randomly allocated into two groups, care as usual and intervention group. The care as usual – received room temperature IV fluids (approximately 25 °C), with the intervention group receiving pre-warmed fluids (39 °C) via a fluid warmer device (Hotline Fluid Warmer, Level 1).Maternal temperature in the intervention group who received the pre-warmed IV fluids was maintained within normal levels when compared to the care as usual group. While no statistical significant differences were identified in neonatal temperatures, reduced temperatures were identified in babies resulting in mild neonatal hypothermia especially the neonates of the control group.