Research Poster for Nursing 450 Will infants being held skin to skin with their fathers maintain their temperatures and blood glucose levels as they do when infants are held skin to skin with their mothers.  By Kristyn Beaver, RNC of Ferris State University (2013) Background It has been shown that an infant held by its mother skin to skin immediately after birth holds its temperature and maintains blood glucose levels. Mothers are not always in a position; due to medical or surgical condition; to do skin to skin. The purpose of this study is to see if Father’s doing skin to skin with their infant will yield the same results of temperature and glucose levels. Surgery lasting longer than normal 60-120 minutes. Mother’s condition will not allow skin to skin in delivery room; either vaginal or surgical delivery: i.e. pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, nausea and vomiting in the OR, or general anesthesia with C-sections. Mother’s temperatures have been shown to increase to keep the baby warm during skin to skin, will the father’s body do the same? Need for Research As not all mother’s can do skin to skin immediately after delivery with their infant, will the father’s doing skin to skin yield the same temperature and blood glucose levels as when baby is held by mother? Pre term infants going to NICU while mother’s are in surgery or in critical condition; will doing skin to skin (or Kangaroo Care) with the father make the same impact on infant vital signs; especially temperature and blood glucose levels. Knowing this information will help care givers to deliver better care for the pre-term, late pre-term and term babies. Will give father’s a perspective of doing something to help their infant. Aide in bonding of father/infant. Study Design A quantitative design to measure blood glucose levels and temperatures of the infant and father during skin to skin (or Kangaroo Care). Population: Those admitted for surgical or vaginal delivery to the labor and delivery unit. Participants would be approached at the doctor’s office where study would be explained and consents obtained prior to admission in labor. If possible random and diverse patient/couple population will be obtained. Term pregnancies as measured my the last menstrual period of 38-42 weeks gestation. Number of participants: This will be determined partly with how many couples would be willing to take part in the study. Minimum goal of 50 couples. Data Collection: Nurses trained by study director in obtaining temperatures and blood glucose levels in the same manner. Using the same thermometers and blood glucose machines. Temperatures of fathers will be assessed prior to doing skin to skin, at 30 minutes and at 60 minutes. Temperatures of infants will be assessed prior to skin to skin, at 30 and 60 minutes. Blood glucose monitoring of the infant will be assessed at birth and then at 60 minutes of age. Assessment of rooting signals from the baby will be ongoing. Time allowance for this study will be dictated by how many couples participate and when they deliver. Limitations: Equipment failure. Not enough participants Parents unwilling for blood glucose monitoring. Parents not breastfeeding. Implications With assessing baby’s response to skin to skin contact with the father in terms of temperature and glucose levels, this will aide in the father’s feeling of being a part of the care of their infant; especially in times of NICU admissions when mother’s cannot attend to their infant. A mother’s body will increase her temperature as much as 2 degrees to warm her infant; will the male body do the same? Skin to skin contact immediately after birth helps to facilitate and improve breast feeding; latching; and bonding~ will doing to skin to skin with the father change those factors? Will it matter who; father or mother; is doing the skin to skin? References: Blomqvist,Y.T., Rubertsson, C., Kylberg, E., Joreskog, K., Hedber Nyqvist, K. (2011). “Kangaroo mother care helps fathers of preterm infants gain confidence in the parental role” Journal of Advanced Nursing. Published Oct. 15, 2011 by Blackwell Publishing Inc. Chiu, S.H., Anderson, G.C., Burkhammer, M.D., (2005). “Newborn temperature during skin-to-skin breastfeeding in couples having breastfeeding difficulty” Birth 32:2 June, 2005. Ludington-Hoe, S.M., Nguyen, N., Swinth, J.Y., and Satyshur, R.D., (2000). “Kangaroo care compared to incubators in maintaining body warmth in preterm infants” Biology Research for Nursing. DOI; 10.1177/109980040000200107. Walters, M.W., Boggs, K.M., Ludington-Hoe, S., Price, K.M., and Morrison, B. (2007). “Kangaroo care at birth for full term infants” MCN. 32(6). 375-381. Thank you for viewing my poster and research proposal! Have a Great Day!!! Kristyn Beaver, RNC