Midwifery Care Routines and Prevention of Heat Loss in the Newborn: A Study in Zambia

A number of midwifery practices might if property applied prevent unnecessary beat loss in the newborn. The care of 62 normal newborns was observed following birth at four levels of institutions, the majority being at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka. At discharge after an average of 14 hours, half the babies had a body temperature below 36°C, i.e. mildly hypothermic. There was a significant decrease in body temperature between 30 and 120 minutes post-partum. Proper wiping and wrapping of the babies was rarely carried out. Unnecessary separation of babies from their mothers and no extra provision of beat during suction at the resuscitation table were common. Among both mothers and staff there was a lack of understanding of the newborns' non-shivering thermogenesis. Traditional practices were often more appropriate than so-called modern. Midwifery education did not positively affect practices. With available resources it should be possible to limit neonatal heat loss.