Cesarean section and delayed contact: effect on baby's behaviour.

Fifty two babies were assessed by the Brazelton Neonatal Behaviour Assessment Scale (BNBAS) first at 24-48 hours after birth and next at 28 days of age. Of these 26 belonged to the normal vaginal delivery (NVD) group where the babies were roomed in with their mothers immediately after birth. The other 26 were delivered by Cesarean Section (CS) and had a mean separation of 2.8 +/- 1.0 day from their mothers. Babies in the NVD group performed better for the interactive processes at both the initial and follow-up assessment. They were more active initially and on follow up. Although no differences were obtained at the initial assessment for organisational processes (physiological response to stress and state control) the follow up revealed that the NVD babies smiled more, cried less and were less irritable.