• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.205-212
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences according to the hospitals of antenatal care in premature infants. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of premature infants with gestational ages <37 weeks and very low birth weights who were admitted immediately after birth to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital between March 2007 and February 2009. The hospitals of antenatal care were divided into two levels (primary antenatal care hospital: hospitals with less than a level 2 NICU, secondary antenatal care hospital: hospitals with a level 3 NICU) based on the level of NICU in hospitals. In addition, total infants were divided into two groups (Immediate group: infants born within 24 hours of maternal admission, Delayed group: infants born after 24 hours of maternal admission). The differences between maternal and neonatal variables in each groups were studied. Results: Neonates in secondary antenatal care hospitals comprised 11.0% of the study neonates (10 of 91). We compared with two groups (primary antenatal care hospital and secondary antenatal care hospital), but there were no differences in all subjects. However, the 1 minute Apgar score ($\leq3$) was lower in the immediate group than the delayed group. Conclusion: Shorter duration of maternal admission to delivery was associated with a lower 1 minute Apgar score of neonates. These findings suggest that if maintenance of pregnancy is difficult when high-risk gravidas are transferred, clinicians must prepare for emergencies of neonates.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.167-177
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• 1982

This study was undertaken to observe relationships between patterns of feeding, supplementary-feeding and various maternal, family, and socioeconomic charactereistics in Hae Cheog Apartment area in Cheongdam-dong, Kangnamku, Seoul on July 2 to 12 in 1982. The results were based on a questionnaire from 179 mothers who have the last-born child under two years old. Results were as follows: 1) In socio-demographic characteristics, most of mothers were 25 to 30 years old and 52.0% of index children were under 6 months old. About 56.0% of families were the salaries and 47.0% of them earn over 500,000 won a month. 40.8% of mothers were college graduates and 81.6% of mothers had no occupation. 2) 89.4% of mothers received prenatal care in pregnancy of the index children and mothers who have delivered the child in medical institute were 88.3%. Mothers who recieved education of breast care and feeding technique through prenatal care were 22.4%, 31.8% respectively. 3) In the feeding method, 44.1% of mothers took the breast feeding, 24.0% of them chose the artificial feeding, and 20.7% of them chose the mixed feeding. Mothers who changed the-method from breast feeding to artificial feeding were 10.6% and only 0.6% of mothers changed from artificial feeding to breast feeding. 4) According to the questionnaire, 37 mothers have already finished lactation (no relation with. the beginning of weaning food). In breast feeding, one mother has lactated for $4{\sim}6$ months, one has lactated for $7{\sim}9$ months, four have lactated for $10{\sim}12$ months, and seven have. continued the lactation over 12 months. In artificial and mixed feeding, as the same phenomenon, most of mothers have lactated for more than 12 months. 5) The reasons for feeding method were as follows: In breast feeding, 64.6% of them took the method because they thought the breast milk nutrious, in artificial feeding, 34.9% of them chose it because they had occupation and in the mixed feeding, 67.6% of mothers took the method because of lack of their breast milk. In the case of changing the method from breast feeding to artificial feeding, 42.1% of them answered that they had to change the method because of lack of breast milk. 6) In most of cases, the 4th month was the proper period to begin the weaning food and 32.5% of breast feeding children and 27.6% of artificial feeding children began the weaning food in 4th month. After 4th month, there was no difference between breast feeding and artificial feeding in the beginning of weaning food. 7) In the matter of menstruation, 29.8% of mothers who had breast feeding started their menstruations in 3 months and the rest of them delayed until 12 months. 40% of mothers who had artificial feeding began to menstruate after 2 months and all the rest started within 5 months. 8) The birth interval between the index child and next new child (would-be-born): In breast feeding, the interval of $18{\sim}24$ months had a majority as 50.0%, and in the artificial feeding, the interval of over 24 months marked 66.7% of them. It was analyzed that the birth interval of artificial feeding was wider than that of breast feeding. 9) In the desirable number of children, the mothers who had breast feeding wanted two sons and two daughters as proper children. Those who want two children in disregard of the sex (son or daughter) were 89.3% of breast feeding, and 80.0% of artificial feeding respectively. Mothers who had breast feeding wanted two children rather than one child. 10) In the family planning practice, the rate of practice were 41.9% in breast feeding, and 58.1% in artificial feeding respectively. In the case of breast feeding, the using rate of family planning practice in men was higher than in women.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.161-169
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• 2018

Purpose: We assessed the influence of antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) on the inhospital outcomes of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) infants. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted with singletons born at $23^{+0}$ to $33^{+6}weeks$ of gestation at Seoul National University Hospital from 2007 to 2014. We compared clinical outcomes between infants who received ACS 2 to 7 days before birth (complete ACS), at <2 or >7 days (incomplete ACS), and those who did not receive ACS in IUGR and AGA infants. Multivariate logistic regression using Firth's penalized likelihood was performed. Results: 304 neonates with 91 IUGR neonates were eligible. Among AGA neonates, mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02 to 0.78), hypotension within 7 postnatal days (aOR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.64), and severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or death (aOR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.77) were lower in complete ACS group after adjusting for pregnancy induced hypertension and uncontrolled preterm labor. Mortality (aOR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.78), hypotension (aOR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.70), and severe BPD or death (aOR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.92) were also lower in the incomplete ACS group. Among IUGR infants, after adjusting for birth weight and 5-minute Apgar score, inhaled nitric oxide use within 14 postnatal days was lower in both complete ACS (aOR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.67) and incomplete ACS (aOR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.37) groups. Conclusion: ACS was not effective in reducing morbidities in IUGR preterm infants.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.31 no.4 s.63
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• pp.751-769
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• 1998

This study was conducted to assess the attitude of pregnant women toward delivery method, understanding of the reason for determining her own delivery method, participation in decision-making process and satisfaction with delivery method after labor. Study subjects were 693 pregnant women who had visited obstetric clinic for prenatal care in the last month of pregnancy in one general hospital and one obstetrics-gynecology specialty hospital in Taegu city from February 1 to March 31 in 1998. A questionnaire was administered before and after labor and a telephone interview was done one month after labor. Proportion of women who had health education and/or counselling about delivery method during prenatal care was 24.0% and this proportion was higher for women who had previous c-section(35.5%) than others. Women thought vaginal delivery is better than c-section for both maternal and baby's health regardless of previous delivery method. About 90% of primipara and multiparous women who had previous vaginal delivery wanted vaginal delivery for the index birth, while 85.6% of multiparous women who had previous c-section wanted repeat c-section. Reasons for choosing c-section in pregnant women who preferred vaginal delivery before labor were recommendation of doctors(81.9%), recommendation of husband (0.8%), agreement between doctor and pregnant woman(4.7%), and mother's demand (12.6%). Reasons for choosing vaginal delivery were mother's demand(30.6%) and no indication for c-section(67.2%). Reasons for choosing c-section in pregnant women who preferred c-section before labor were recommendation of doctors(76.2%), mother's demand(20.0%), recommendation of husband(1.3%), and agreement between doctor and pregnant woman(2.5%). Of the pregnant women who had c-section, by doctor's recommendation, the proportion of women who had heard detailed explanation about reason for c-section by doctor was 55.1%. Mother's statement about the reason for c-section was consistent with the medical record in 75.9% . However, over 5% points disparities were shown between mother's statement and medical record in cases of the repeat c-section and mother's demand. In primipara and multiparous women who had previous vaginal delivery, the delivery method for index birth had statistically significant association with the preference of delivery method before labor(p<0.05). All of the women who had previous c-section had delivered the index baby by c-section. Among mothers who had delivered the index baby vaginally, 84.9% of them were satisfied with their delivery method immediately after labor and 85.1% at 1 month after labor. However, mothers who had c-section stated that they are satisfied with c-section in 44.6% immediately after labor and 42.0% at 1 month after labor. Preferred delivery method for the next birth had statistically significant association with delivery method for the index birth both immediately after labor and in 1 month after labor. The proportion of mothers who prefer vaginal delivery for the next birth increased with the degree of satisfaction with the vaginal delivery for the index birth but the proportion of mothers who prefer c-section for the next birth was high and they did not change significantly with the degree of satisfaction with the c-section for the index birth. These results suggest that the current high technology-based, physician-centered prenatal and partritional cares need to be reoriented to the basic preventive and promotive technology-based, and mother-fetus-centered care. It is also suggested that active involvement of pregnant woman in decision-making process for the delivery method will increase the rate of vaginal birth after c-section and decrease c-section rate and improve the degree of maternal satisfaction after delivery.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.246-252
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• 2011

Purpose: The outcomes of small for gestational age (SGA) infants especially in extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWIs) are controversial. This study evaluated the mortality and morbidity of ELBWIs, focusing on whether or not they were also SGA. Methods: The medical records of 415 ELBWIs (birth weight<1,000 g), who were inborn and admitted to the Samsung Medical Center neonatal intensive care unit from January 2000 to December 2008, were reviewed retrospectively. Mortality and morbidities were compared by body size groups: very SGA (VSGA), birth weight ${\leq}$3rd percentile; SGA, 3rd to 10th percentile; and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants, >10th percentile for gestational age. For gestational subgroup analysis, groups were divided into infants with gestational age ${\leq}24^{+6}$ weeks (subgroup I), $25^{+0}$ to $26^{+6}$ weeks (subgroup II), and ${\geq}27^{+0}$ weeks (subgroup III) Results: Gestational age was $29^{+2}{\pm}2^{+6}$ weeks in the VSGA infants (n=49), $27^{+5}{\pm}2^{+2}$weeks in the SGA infants (n=45), and $25^{+4}{\pm}1^{+4}$ weeks in AGA infants (n=321). Birth weight was $692{\pm}186.6$ g, $768{\pm}132.9$ g, and $780{\pm}142.5$ g in the VSGA, SGA, and AGA groups, respectively. Cesarean section rate and maternal pregnancy-induced hypertension were more common in the VSGA and SGA than in AGA pregnancies. However, chorioamnionitis was more common in the AGA group. The mortalities of the lowest gestational group (subgroup I), and also of the lower gestational group (subgroup I+II) were significantly higher in the VSGA group than the SGA or AGA groups (P=0.020 and P=0.012, respectively). VSGA and SGA infants showed lower incidence in respiratory distress syndrome, ductal ligation, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage than AGA group did. However, by multiple logistic regression analysis of each gestational subgroup, the differences were not significant. Conclusion: Of ELBWIs, extremely SGA in the lower gestational subgroups, had an impact on mortality, which may provide information useful for prenatal counseling.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.377-398
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• 1993

A survey of infant practices was conducted to provide information on which to base planned nursing interventions. The subjects were a convenience sample of 168 mothers visiting out - patients departments of five general hospitals and one public health center in Seoul for immunizations or treatment for common colds for their infants from two to 12 months of age. Data collection was carried out from July 8th to September 30th, 1991 using a questionnaire of 84 questions, 31 on the type of feeding, 22 on supplementary feeding and 21 on demographic infer mation. The results are summarized as follows : 1) The type of feeding was primarily artificial feed-ing (63.1%), followed by mixed feeding (22%) and breast feeding (14.9%) of the 59 mothers expecting during pregnancy to breast feed, 54. 2% changed artificial feeding and 30.5% went on to breast feed as they had expected. For mothers expecting to continue breast feeding over seven months. only one infant was being breast fed for over seven months. 2) For the 106 mothers using artificial feeding, 70. 8% hed attempted breast feeding, 64% of them for less than a month. Breast milk had been suppressed by for medication (38.7%) : 34.9% had used no specia] means. 3) The major reasons for replacing breast feeding with artificial feeding were the infants' demand for more milk (47.2% ) and insufficient supply of breast milk (49.3％). 4) Most mixed feeding was started at the age of one to three months (59.5%). Only 34.4% gave an artificial feeding after breast feeding : most (46%) alternated breast feeding with artificial feeding. On the whole, the motive for mixed feeding was the lack of breast milk (70.3%). 5) Many mothers (81.8%) were adding vitamin or mineral supplements to artificial milk and 51.5% were adding something to faciliate digestion. As for the method of sterilizing milk bottles and nipples, 56% had sterilized them together in boiling water from the beginning : 27% were just washing the bottles after boiling only once initially when measuring artificial milk powder, 31. 5% of the mothers over filled the measuring spoon rather than to the level. 6) The mother's occupation was related to her way of feeding. Mothers at home full time did more breast feeding than mothers employed outside the home. (x²=5.72, p=〈0.05). 7) Most mothers began supplementary food, from three to four months (48.8%) : 11.2% began later than seven months. Supplementary food was given between milk feedings by 67.2% of the mothers : 19.2% gave it before a milk feeding. Some mothers(26.4%) made their own supplementary food : 19.2% used ready - made supplementary food products for convenience. Recommendations for nursing interventions included : 1. Prenatal education about the advantages of breast feeding and breast care, and home visits after delivery for counselling related to breast feeding. Correct preparation of artificial feeding methods need to be taught in both pre & postnatal periods. In addition, specific education about supplementary feeding needed. 2. Further research is indicated about the Perceived lack of supply of breast milk and about the effectiveness of nursing interventions to Promote breast feeding.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.57-95
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• 1972

This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of service by maternity aids concerning maternal and child health in improving simultaneously infant mortality, contraception and vital registration among expectant mothers in rural Korea, where there is less apportunity for maternal and child health care. It is unrealistic to expect to solve this problem in rural Korea through professional persons considering the situation of medical facilities and the socioeconomic condition of residents. So, we intended to adopt a system of services by maternity aids who were educated formally among indigenous women. After the women were trained in maternal and child health, contraception, and registration for a short period, they were assigned as a maternity aids to each village to help with various activities concerning maternal and child health, for example, registration of pregnant women, home visiting to check for complications, supplying of delivery kits, attendance at delivery, persuasion of contraception, and invitation for registration and so on. Mean-while, four researchers called on the maternity aids to collect materials concerning vital events, maternal child health, contraception and registration, and to give further instruction and supervision as the program proceeded. A. Changes of women's attitude by services of maternity aid. Now, we examined to what extent' such a service system to expectant mothers affected a change in attitude of women residing in the study area as compared to women of the control area. 1) In the birth and death places, there were no changes between last and present infants, in study or control area. 2) In regard to attendants at delivery, there were no changes except for a small percentage of attendance (8%) by maternity aid in study area. But, I expect that more maternity sids could be used as attendants at delivery if they would be trained further and if there was more explanation to the residents about such a service. 3) Considering the rate of utilization of sterilized delivery kit, I am sure that more than 90 percent would be used if the delivery kit were supplied in the proper time. There were significant differences in rates between the study and the control areas. 4) Taking into consideration the utilization rate of the clinic for prenatal care and well baby care, if suck facilities were installed, it would probably be well utilized. 5) In the contraception, the rate of approval was as high as 89 percent in study area as compared to 82 percent in the control area. 6) Considering the rate of pre-and post-partum acceptance on contraception were as much as 70 percent or more, if motivation to use contraception was given to them adequately, the government could reach the goals for family planning as planned. 7) In the vital registration, the rate of birth registration in the study area was some what improved compared to that of the control area, while the rate of death registration was not changed at all. Taking into account the fact that the rate of confirmation of vital events by maternity aids was remarkably high, if the registration system changed to a 'notification' system instead of formal registration ststem, it would be improved significantly compared to present system. B. Effect of the project Thus, with changes in the residents' attitude, was there a reduction in the infant death rate? 1) It is very difficult problem to compare the mortality of infants between last and present infants, because many women don't want to answer accurately about their dead children especially the infants that died within a few days after birth. In this study the data of present death comes from the maternity aides who followed up every pregnancy they had recorded to see what had happened. They seem to have very reliable information on what happened in first few weeks with follow up visitits to check out later changes. From these calculaton, when we compared the rate of infant death between last and present infant, there was remarkable reduction of death rate for present infant compare to that of last children, namely, the former was 30, while the latter 42. The figure is the lowest rate that I have ever heard. As the quality of data we could assess by comparing the causes of death. In the current death rate by communicable disease was much lower compare to the last child especially, tetanus cases and pneumonia. 2) Next, how many respondents used contraception after birth because of frequent contact with the maternity aid. In the registered cases, the respondents showed a tendency to practice contraception at an earlier age and with a small number of children. In a comparison of the rate of contraception between the study and the control area, the rate in the former was significantly higher than that of the latter. What is more, the proportion favoring smaller numbers of children and younger women rose in the study area as compared to the control area. 3) Regarding vital registration, though the rate of registration was gradually improved by efforts of maternity aid, it would be better to change the registration system. 4) In the crude birth rate, the rate in the study area was 22.2 while in the control area was 26.5. Natural increase rate showed 15.4 in the study area, while control area was 19.1. 5) In assessment of the efficiency of the maternity aids judging by the cost-effect viewpoint, the workers in the Medium area seemed to be more efficiency than those of other areas.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.81-98
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• 1988

The purpose of this study was to fine out the general physical status of the neonates, and to identify the risk factors of the mothers and the neonates which were significantly related to the neonatal diseases during hospitalization. The data were obtained from clinical records of 1098 neonates born in Seoul Red cross Hospital between January 1st of 1984 and December 31th of 1986. The results of this study were summarized as follows: 1. General characteristics of the maternal group. 1) The average of maternal age was 26.6 years, the $91.7\%$ of the mothers de liveried at the age of 20-34 years old. 2) The distribution of the types of delivey were as follows : spontaneous delivery $39.9\%$, cesarean section $32.4\%$, vaccum extraction $25.7\%$, and breech delivery$2.0\%$. 3) The $40.3\%$ of the total de liveried mother had experienced abortion. 4) The $42.3\%$ of the total deliveried mother had one or more obstetric risk factors. 2. General characteristics of the neonatal group. 1) In the distribution of sex, male was $49.4\%$, female $50.6\%$. 2) The average of birth weights was 3,020gm. The distribution of birth weight were as follows; nomal weight $85.5\%$, low birth weight $12.7\%$ and high birth weight $2.5\%$. 3) The average of gestational age was 39.2 weeks. The distribution of gestational age were as follows; full term $77.4\%$, preterm $13.7\%$, and postterm $8.9\%$. 4) The average of Apgar Score was 9.0 at one minute and 9.6 at five minutes. 5) The $5.7\%$ of the neonates had one or more neonatal risk symptoms and signs at birth. 3. Apgar Score by the maternal and neonatal factors. In Apgar Score at one minute, normal group was higher than that of abnormal group. Apgar Score at five minutes was slightly higher than that at one minute. 4. The distribution of the maternal risk factors and the neonatal risk factors. 1) The total numbers of the maternal risk factors were 1376. The distribution of the maternal risk factors were as follows: obstetric factor $33.7\%$, abortion $32.2\%$, breech and cesarean section delivery $27.5\%$ and maternal age under 19 years and over 35 years $6.6\%$. 2) The total numbers of the neonatal risk factors were 517. The distribution of the neonatal risk factors were as follows: gestational age under 37 weeks and over 42 weeks $48.0\%$, birth weight under 2500gm and over 4000gm $12.2\%$, Apgar score under 4 at one munute $6.4\%$ and Apgar score at five munutes $2.7\%$. 3) The total numbers of the obstetric risk factors were 661. The types of the obstetric risk factors were meconium stained amniotic fluid $22.0\%$, premature rupture of membrane $17.5\%$. absence prenatal care $14.1\%$, unmarried pregnancy $10.3\%$, placenta problem $9.0\%$, toxemia $8.0\%$. 4) The total numbers of the neonatal risk symptoms and signs at birth were 83. The types of the neonatal risk symptoms and signs were respiratory distress $65.1\%$, neonatal apnea $14.4\%$, convulsion $13.3%$, meconium aspiration syndrome $4.8\%$, cyanosis $2.4\%$. 5. The relationship between the maternal risk factors and the neonatal risk factors. 1) Maternal age under 19 years or over 35 years was significantly related to Apgar Score under 4 at 5 minutes. 2) Breech delivery or cesarean section was significantly related to neonatal risk factor at birth such as birth weight, gestational age, Apgar Score at one minute and at five minutes. and neonatal risk symptoms and signs. 3) Obstetric risk factors were significantly related to the neonatal risk factors at birth. 4) Abortion was not related to the neonatal risk factors. 6. The relationship between neonatal diseases during hosptalization and the maternal or the neonatal risk factors. 1) The total numbers of neonatal diseases during hospitalization were 281. The distribution of neonatal diseases were as follows: birth trauma $38.1\%$, infectious disease $31.3\%$, hematologic disease $21.4\%$, respiratory disease $6.0\%$, neurologic disease $2.5\%$. cardiovascular disease $0.7\%$. 3) Most maternal risk factors except abortion were significantly related to neonatal diseases. 4) Most neonatal risk factors at birth were significantly related to neonatal diseases.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.153-173
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• 1990

One of the important tasks for new parents. especially mothers, is to establish warm, mutually affirming interpersonal relationships with the new baby in the family, with the purpose of promoting the healthy development of the child and the wellbeing of the whole family. Nurses assess the quality of the behavioral characteristics of the maternal-infant interaction. This study examined the relationships between primiparas pereptions of their delivery experience and their maternal infant interaction. It compared to delivery experience of mothers having a normal vaginal delivery with those having a casearean section. The purpose was to explore the relationships between the mother's perceptions of her delivery experience with her maternal infant interaction. The aim was to contribute to the development of theoretical understanding on which to base care toward promoting the quality of maternal-infant interaction. Data were collected directly by the investigator and a trained associate from Dec. 1, 1987 to March 8, 1988. Subjects were 3 random sample of 62 mothers, 32 who had a normal vaginal delivery and 30 who had a non-elective cesarean section (but without other perinatal complications) at three general hospitals in Seoul. Instruments used were the Stainton Parent -infant Interaction Scale(1981) and the Marut and Mercer Perception of Birth Scale(1979). The first observations were made in the delivery room (for vaginally delivered mothers only), followed by day 1, day 2, day 3, and 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks and 8 weeks after birth, for a total of 7-8 contacts(Cesarean section mothers were observed on days 4 and 5 but the data not used for analysis). Observations in the hospital were made during the hour prior to scheduled feedings. The infant was placed beside the mother. Later contacts were made at home. Data analysis was done by computer using as SPSS program and indulded X² test, paired t-test, t-test, and Pearson Correlation coefficient ; the results were as follows. 1. Mothers who had a normal vaginal delivery tended to perceive the delivery experience more positively than cesarean section mothers(p＝0.002). The finding supported the hypothesis I that perception of delivery would vary according to the method of delivery. Mothers' perceptions of birth were classified into three dimensions, labor, delivery and the bady. There was a significantly different and positive perception by the vaginally delivered mothers to the delivery experience(p＝0.000) but no differences for labor or the bady according to the delivery method(p＝0.096, p＝0.389), 2. Mothers who had a normal vaginal delivery had higher average maternal-infant interaction scores(p＝0.029) than mothers who had a cesarean section. There were similar higher scores for the 1st day(p＝0.042), 2nd day (p＝0.009), and the 3rd day(p＝0.006) after delivery but not for later times. The findings supported the hypothesis Ⅱ that there would be differences in maternal-infant interaction for mothers having vaginal and cesarean section deliveries. However these differences deccreased section deliveries. However these differences decreased over time . by eight weeks the scores for vaginal delivery mothers averaged 8.1 and for cesarean section mothers, 7.9. 3. The more highly positive the pereption of the delivery experience, the higher the maternal-infant interaction score for all subjects(F＝.3206, p＝.006). The findings supported the hypothesis Ⅲ that there would be correlations between perceptions of delivery and maternal-infant interaction. The maternal infant interaction was highest when the perception of the bady and deliery was positive(r＝.4363, p＝.000, r＝.2881, p＝.012). No correlations between perceptions of labor and maternal-infant interaction were found(p＝0.062). 4. The daily maternal-infant interaction score for the initial contact after birth to 8 weeks postpartum had the lowest average score 5.20 and the highest 7.98(in a range of 0-10). This subjects group of mothers needed nursing intervention to promote their maternal- infant interaction. The daily scores for the maternal-infant over the period of eight weeks. However, there were significantly different increases in maternal-infant interaction only from the first to second day(p＝0.000) and from the fourth to sixth weeks after birth(P＝0.000). 5. When the eight items of maternal-infant interaction were evaluated separately, “Expresses feelings about her role as mother” had the highest average score, 1.64(ina range of 0-3)and “Speaks to baby” the lowest, 0.9. All items, with the possible exception of “Expresses feelings about her role as mother”, suggested the subjects' need of nursing intervention to promote maternal-infant interaction. 6. There were positive correlations between certain general charateristis, namely, both a higher economic status(p＝0.002) and breast feeding(p＝0.202) and maternal - infant interaction. There were positive correlations between a mother's confidence in her role as a mother and the perception of the birth experience(p＝0.004). For mothers who had a cesarean section, a positive perception of the birth experience was related to the duration of her marriage(p＝0.010), a wanted pregnancy (P＝0.030) and her confidence in her role as a mother(p＝0.000). Pereptions of birth for mothers who had a normal vaginal delivery were positive than those for mothers who had a cesarean section. The level of maternalinfant interaction for mothers delivered vaginally was higher than for cesarean section mothers. The relationship between perception of birth and materanalinfant interaction was confirmed. Cesarean section has an impact on the mother's perceived experience of birth which, in turn, is positively related to maternal-infant in turn, is positively related to maternal-infant interaction. Nursing intervention to enhance maternal-infant interaction should begin in prenatal classes with an exploration of the potential impact of cesarean section on the perceptions of the birth experience and continue throughout the perinatal and post-natal periods to promote the mother's ability to control with this crisis experience and to mobilize social support. Nursing should help transform a relatively negatively perceived experience into an accepted, positively perceived and self affirming experience which enhances the maternal-infant relationship.