Implementing Family‐Centered Cesarean Birth

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.