title: Implementing Family-Centered Cesarean Birth.
abstract: Cesarean birth is recognized as a physical and psychological stressor for many women. Maternity practices during cesarean birth should meet women's needs, while maintaining safety, to optimize the experience. Family-centered cesarean birth is a package of interventions that encourages a woman to participate in choosing interventions that would be helpful when undergoing a planned or unplanned cesarean birth. Included in family-centered cesarean birth is implementation of skin-to-skin care in the operating room for neonates who appear term and healthy. The process of attempting to implement family-centered cesarean birth at one academic center is presented, including steps for implementation, benefits, challenges, and areas for continued improvement and research. This article is part of a special series of articles that address midwifery innovations in clinical practice, education, interprofessional collaboration, health policy, and global health.
authors.forename: Mavis N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Schorn
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Bennett M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Spetalnick
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morad
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D060127:Kangaroo-Mother Care Method; D008880:Midwifery; D010358:Patient Participation; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D012867:Skin
keywords: birth, breastfeeding; cesarean birth, patient-centered care, skin-to-skin care, umbilical cord clamping