BACKGROUND:
Bu randomize kontrollü deneysel çalışmada, perineal taçlanma sırasında annenin fetal başa dokunmasının, doğumun ikinci evresinin süresi ve doğum sonrası erken dönemde anne-bebek etkileşimi üzerine etkisi araştırıldı.

OBJECTIVES:
Çalışmanın amacı, perineal taçlanma sırasında annenin fetal baş kısmına dokunmasının, doğumun ikinci evresinin süresi ve doğum sonrası erken dönemde anne-bebek etkileşimi üzerine etkilerini görmektir.

METHODS:
The study was conducted between April and June 2023 at a clinic in İzmir. A total of 68 participants were included, with 34 in the intervention group and 34 in the control group. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Mother-Infant Interaction Assessment Scale (MIIAS). The first assessment was conducted during labor through maternal touching of the fetal head and clinical observation, while the second was performed prior to hospital discharge. Statistical analyses included descriptive methods, Fisher’s exact test, ANOVA, Spearman’s rank correlation, independent samples t-test, and paired samples t-test.

RESULTS:
Initial MIIAS scores were significantly higher among women who received antenatal care (p < 0.05). Mothers who received postpartum support had significantly higher MIIAS scores (7.84 ± 1.98) than those who did not (p < 0.05). While 58.8% of the intervention group and 50% of the control group experienced a first stage of labor lasting between 0–5 hours, this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:
However, the mean MIIAS score prior to discharge was significantly higher in the intervention group (9.56 ± 1.07) compared to the control group (6.44 ± 9.91), with a highly significant difference between groups (t = -8.287, p < 0.001).

KEY MESSAGE:
These findings suggest that maternal tactile interaction with the fetal head during perineal crowning had a positive impact on early postpartum mother-infant bonding. This practice may be considered a simple, non-invasive intervention to enhance maternal-infant interaction in midwifery care. Poster session 2 (Group A)