Skin-to-Skin Contact and Lavender Aromatherapy After Elective Cesarean: Effects on Cortisol and Early Breastfeeding

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Structured early postpartum mother-infant skin-to-skin contact: A structured early postpartum skin-to-skin contact protocol applied after elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. Following stabilization of the mother and newborn, the naked neonate is placed prone on the mother's bare chest and covered with a warm blanket. Continuous skin-to-skin contact is maintained during the first 60 minutes postpartum as tolerated, and cumulative duration, number of interruptions, and reasons for interruption are recorded.

Maternal inhalational lavender aromatherapy: Maternal inhalational aromatherapy using lavender essential oil during the early postpartum period after elective cesarean section. Lavender oil is applied via inhalation using a cotton pad or similar carrier placed near the mother's face during the first 60 minutes postpartum, in combination with the structured skin-to-skin contact protocol, as tolerated. Tolerance to aromatherapy and any adverse reactions are monitored and recorded.

Study summary

This single-center randomized controlled clinical trial will evaluate the effects of structured early postpartum mother-infant skin-to-skin contact, with or without maternal lavender aromatherapy, after elective cesarean section on maternal stress biomarkers and early breastfeeding outcomes. The study will enroll 150 term pregnant women scheduled for elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia at Ataturk University Research Hospital. Participants will be randomized into three groups: routine postoperative care, structured skin-to-skin contact, and structured skin-to-skin contact combined with inhalational lavender aromatherapy. The primary outcome is the change in maternal salivary cortisol level from immediately after birth to 60 minutes postpartum. Secondary outcomes include maternal salivary IgA levels, state anxiety scores, postoperative pain and nausea, time to first analgesic requirement, early breastfeeding initiation and success, LATCH scores, neonatal axillary temperature, cumulative duration and continuity of skin-to-skin contact, maternal satisfaction, and the need for mother-infant separation within the first 2 hours postpartum.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Change in maternal salivary cortisol level — From immediately after birth (T0) to 60 minutes postpartum (T1)
  Difference in maternal salivary cortisol concentration between immediately after birth (T0) and 60 minutes postpartum (T1), compared among the three study groups.

Trial sites (1)

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