C-Section babies may benefit from instant cuddles, new study suggests
NCT ID NCT07109076
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether placing a newborn directly on the mother's chest right after a planned cesarean section (for at least 15 minutes) improves the baby's heart rate variability—a sign of lower stress and better nervous system balance. Researchers will compare 40 babies who get skin-to-skin contact with 40 who receive standard care, monitoring heart rate patterns at birth and over the first day. The goal is to see if this simple practice helps newborns adapt more smoothly.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- skin-to-skin contact
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could show that immediate skin-to-skin contact helps newborns adapt better after cesarean birth, potentially improving standard care.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study (80 participants) measuring only heart rate patterns, not long-term health outcomes. Results may not apply to all births or lead to clear recommendations.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 80 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2026
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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0 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * planned cesarean section * gestational age 39 weeks 0/7 or more Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy complications (e.g. hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, fetal growth restriction, etc.) * neonatal resuscitation at birth
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University Medical Center Ljubljana
RECRUITINGLjubljana, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
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