Effect of Immediate Postpartum Skin-to-Skin Contact Between Mothers and Newborns on Episiotomy Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To determine the effect of immediate skin-to-skin contact (SSC) between mothers and their newborns on episiotomy pain. Material and Methods: This randomized controlled trial enrolled 60 participants who underwent vaginal delivery. The participants were divided into two groups: an immediate SSC group and a no SSC group (n=30 for each group). SSC was initiated within 10 minutes after birth with a contact duration of at least 30 minutes. Episiotomy pain severity was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS) at one hour after birth in both groups. The pain scores were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and the optimum contact time for reducing episiotomy wound pain was evaluated by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: The median VAS of episiotomy pain at one hour after delivery in the SSC group was statistically significantly lower than the no SSC group (1.9 (0.8-3.1) vs. 3.4 (2-5.2) cm, p-value<0.001). The contact time for optimal pain reduction was at least 30 minutes of SSC. Conclusion: Immediate SSC contact between a mother and her neonate after delivery can effectively reduce episiotomy pain.