Maternal-infant attachment in a traditional hospital setting.
All changes were implemented by nurse-midwives and staff nurses. Some of the changes required administrative or medical concurrence, but all were initiated by nurses. Nursing administration was supportive and encouraged the staff nurse. It took courage and determination to implement changes described. The biggest hurdle was to overcome the attitude that nothing at the hospital could ever change. Once that attitude was overcome, the actual changes in routine and policy were made with a minimum of difficulty. It is inexcusable not to encourage maternal-infant attachment because the setting is less than ideal. Women, infants, and families benefit too much from this initial contact for nurses top sit back and wait for hospital policy to change, the ABC to open, or the new wing to be built. In addition, there is so much joy and satisfaction in assisting in the development of a positive relationship between a mother and her newborn that the nurse should avail herself of the opportunity to do so.
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002140:California; D005260:Female; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006782:Hospitals, Special / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009769:Object Attachment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011050:Policy Making; D011181:Postnatal Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care