title: Implementation of a couplet care program for families after a cesarean birth.
abstract: This article describes the implementation of a couplet care program for patients who have undergone a cesarean delivery. The goals of couplet care (ie, keeping a mother and infant together after the birth) are to facilitate family bonding, support successful breastfeeding, and increase patient satisfaction. Staff members undertook an investigation to gain information about other facilities that offer couplet care and to establish support for this practice model of recovery. Education programs were devised to help ease staff members' concerns about caring for these surgical patients. Additional research is needed on the value of couplet care for patients. Potential topics for future research include examining whether this care correlates with reduced postpartum depression and whether there are positive effects on the surgical recovery process.
authors.affiliation: The Women's Center, The University Community Hospital, Tampa Bay, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Ludmila R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Spradlin
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education; D009769:Object Attachment; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012386:Rooming-in Care