Relationship of Maternal Spiritual Health with Nutritional Behavior and Physiologic Parameters of Neonates in Cesarean Mothers during Spinal Anesthesia

Abstract Background and Objectives: Mother's general health, including spiritual well-being, is a prerequisite for neonatal health. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of maternal spiritual well-being with the nutritional behavior and psychological parameters of neonates. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 101 women with non-emergency cesarean delivery were evaluated by convenience sampling method at Amiralmomenin Hospital in Grash, Iran. The study instruments consisted of demographic characteristic form, standard breastfeeding assessment tool, infant physiological parameters registration form, and spiritual well-being scale. Before delivery, the standard breastfeeding method was instructed to the mothers, and their mental health scores were recorded. After delivery, nutritional behavior was recorded by the relevant instrument. Furthermore, the physiological parameters of the newborns were recorded by a tympanic thermometer, pulse oximetry, and neonatal examination. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as correlational tests. Results: The majority of pregnant women (78.2%) had a moderate level of spiritual well-being. Based on the Pearson correlation test, maternal spiritual well-being showed no significant relationship with mean nutritional behavior (e.g., readiness to feed, rooting, latching, and sucking) and neonatal physiological parameters (P≥0.05). Conclusion: Maternal spiritual well-being did not significantly affect the nutritional behavior and physiological parameters of the neonates on the first days after birth. It is suggested that similar studies be performed in different hospitals to evaluate the correlation between these parameters.