LAUSR

To the Editor: It was with great interest that I read the article “Interdisciplinary Approach to Increasing Skin-to-Skin Contact Across Delivery Methods,” published in your last issue. The authors should be congratulated for this initiative. It is not necessary to repeat the advantages of skin-to-skin (STS) contact mentioned. Recently, it was shown that even with premature babies, STS has a favorable impact on parasympathetic activities, sometimes in combination with Kangaroo care. In the article, Bidlow et al mentioned cesarean section (C-section) as one of the common reasons for not starting STS contact. Following education of the mothers, C-section was eliminated as a reason to avoid STS. This is definitely good news. We at the New European Surgical Academy strongly promote STS, in alignment with our anti–C-section campaign, which aims to limit C-sections to justified indication. Recently, we started a new initiative, named “Family Oriented Hospital,” which has 22 points that can be complied with in order for a hospital to receive the status of a Family Oriented Hospital. Hospitals that fulfill these requirements and successfully complete an audit are officially recognized as such. Among other factors, this program emphasizes the rights of the newborn and STS is one of the prerequisites demanded. Moreover, we strongly believe that STS should start immediately following birth while the abdomen is being sutured. Should it be necessary to examine the newborn before handing him or her over to be placed on the breast of mother, the examination or treatment, if necessary, should be done within the mother’s sight. We strongly suggest that STS become a quality standard when maternities are evaluated.