Parental Acceptability and Experiences of In-Bed Resuscitation at Birth: Findings From a Cross-Sectional Survey

To assess parental acceptability and experiences of in-bed intact cord resuscitation (ICR) vs standard care during neonatal resuscitation in the Sustained Cord Circulation and Ventilation (SAVE) trial.

A national cross-sectional electronic survey was administered 1 month postpartum (2022-2025). A questionnaire initially developed by Katheria et al was used to assess parental acceptability and experiences of ICR. The survey targeted parents of neonates enrolled in the SAVE trial, a randomized controlled trial investigating ICR for ≥180 seconds with standard care. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Acceptability was compared between groups using χ² tests, with ORs calculated to quantify effect size.

The response rate was ∼75% and the final analyses included 333 surveys. Most responses were received from mothers. Parents experiencing in-bed ICR reported greater opportunities to see, touch, and maintain proximity to their neonate (OR, 3.88; 95% CI, 2.32-6.48, for physical contact). The in-bed ICR group also expressed a stronger sense of safety and more positive perceptions of study participation compared with those whose neonates received standard care. No differences between the groups were observed in communication with healthcare professionals. Baseline maternal, perinatal, and neonatal characteristics were comparable between the groups.

These findings demonstrate the psychosocial benefits of in-bed ICR, enhancing parental proximity, safety perceptions, and physical contact during neonatal resuscitation and stabilization. These results provide a vital parental perspective that complements clinical outcomes and supports future considerations of zero-separation practices for resuscitated neonates.