Touching and birthing.
Although humans are mammals, experts have often acted as though we were not, especially in the realm of our need for touch. Psychologists, surgeons and maternity hospitals are among those who have sought to discourage this basic mammalian form of contact and comfort. Yet there is ample evidence that touch is needed in a number of ways at the time of birth, for the months that precede it and for the years that follow. Even those who criticize touch-advocates for overstating the scientific evidence for their case, share their conclusion about the importance of touch at the time of birth.
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008322:Mammals; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D009769:Object Attachment; D010332:Paternal Behavior; D011247:Pregnancy; D014110:Touch