Thermoregulation of the baby at birth : an observational study.

Abstract

Thermoregulation is a measure the midwife must take at birth to prevent the baby from being exposed to risks of heat loss and cold stress. Hypothermia is a contributor to neonatal death. Thus debate is still ongoing about the best methods to care for the newborn baby and avoiding the risk of cold stress. The aim of this study was to explore the midwives' management of thermoregulation of the newborn at birth that is, in the delivery room, and evaluate the efficacy of thermoregulatory care of the neonate at birth, by observing the midwives' management and carefully assessing whether their practice is research-based and if variations in management between one midwife and another exist. The study was conducted in a descriptive, non-experimental manner, where a structured observation schedule was utilized to collect data. Ten midwives working at the labour ward were chosen by convenience sampling and all midwives were observed individually from the moment they admitted the woman in the delivery room till the point where they were transferring her to the Postnatal Ward. All ethical obligations were adhered to. The results showed that the management of thermoregulation in Malta, although most of it abides to literature, showed to be somewhat traditional, and based on routine practice. This may raise concern in creating a literature-practice gap. Variations between one midwife and another exist, but in general midwives conform in their practice. In the end, limitations of the study in addition with recommendations for practice, education and research were discussed.