MATES - MAternal Temperature in Emergency caesarean Section
Research type
Research Study
Full title
AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY TO DETERMINE THE INCIDENCE OF INADVERTENT PERIOPERATIVE HYPOTHERMIA IN WOMEN UNDERGOING EMERGENCY CAESAREAN SECTION\n
IRAS ID
165040
Contact name
Mark Harper
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
REC REFERENCE, 16/NS/0050
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study intends to identify the number of patients who become cold during or soon after emergency (meaning unplanned) caesarean section – a surgical operation to deliver a baby when the normal vaginal route of delivery is not considered appropriate.\n\nBecoming cold (hypothermic; body temperature below 36 ⁰C) is a cause of problems and patient discomfort after a surgical operation. These problems include increased bleeding, delayed wound healing, increased wound infections, pressure sores and longer hospital stays. Immediate discomfort after an operation can be due to increased pain and shivering which prolong time in the ward where mothers are monitored after having an anaesthetic. Patients tell us that their time in the recovery area can be very stressful. For mothers (and their babies) who have had a caesarean section it is important to have the opportunity to start breastfeeding as soon as possible, but being cold and uncomfortable may delay this.\n\nFor most types of surgery, we try to prevent patients becoming cold and so reduce potential problems. However this is not generally the case with women undergoing caesarean section. Blankets are available through which hot air is blown to keep patients warm during an operation but we feel they are inappropriate as they can be uncomfortable for mothers giving birth by caesarean section and they can make it difficult for a mother to have close skin-to-skin contact with her new baby immediately after delivery - an important part in the bonding process. \n\nIn our study, we aim to identify how many women undergoing emergency caesarean section become hypothermic and how comfortable women are (in terms of being warm) during their operation. We want to find out if this is a major problem and if so, whether further work is needed to improve the comfort of new mothers and their babies.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
16/NS/0050
Date of REC Opinion
17 May 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion