Skin-to-skin patient garment

Abstract

A garment enables skin-to-skin contact between a mother and her baby including in the aftermath to a Caesarean (C-section, figures 7A-9). The garment comprises first and second front panels (52, 54, figure 2A) having borders extending down diagonally from each shoulder to form a V-neck when worn, the diagonal borders forming channels that accommodate webbing (56a-b, figure 2A) which terminates with a fastening means 85, 89 to secure the distal end of the webbing to the garment; and at least one of the front panels having a baby retaining means 51 (which might be in the form of a pouch or pocket to receive the baby). Preferably the garment further comprises an adjustable band 80 to secure the garment around the wearer. Preferably the rear of the garment comprises an opening covered by a flap (91, figure 4A) which allows access for a spinal or epidural procedure. The garment might be in the form of a hospital gown or vest.

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY The present disclosure relates to a skin-to-skin patient garment. BACKGROUND INFORMATION There are barriers to promoting keeping mothers / patients and their newborns during cesarean section for many reasons, including health care provider refusal, a theory that it is not safe due to the potential risk of low infant body temperature, and the newborn falling. The current practice during cesarean procedures in many institutions around the world is to separate mothers and their newborns from skin-to-skin contact and to continue with it an hour later in the recovery room (which is not evidence based), or to perform skin-to-skin contact on the patients chest without any safety devices to prevent the infant from falling. What is needed is a garment solution that promotes the standard of best practice of skin-to-skin contact for mothers and newborns, reducing risks of perinatal mental health disorders, promoting more coverage of the patient’s body, a higher quality birth experience, breastfeeding rates for newborns and reduce postpartum mental health disorders in women and birthing parents. CN 207696990 describes a gown to be worn by a mother post-delivery that promotes skin-to-skin contact with the newborn. The gown includes a pocket / bag for receiving the infant in place. The bag is detachably installed in the gown. According to this prior art, the baby is placed in the bag, and only then the bag is connected to the connector inside the gown. This prior art also describes an abdominal belt that is detachably connected to the gown and it is not an integral part of the gown. Accidental disengagement of the abdominal band would put the safety of the baby at risk. The gowns of the prior art lack the safety features necessary for maintain the newborn secure in the pocket. Labour and delivery gowns of the prior art have a full open back option, which is tied at the top of the gown. For a spinal or epidural process, the top tie is untied and drapes over the patient’s shoulder for epidurals. This makes it possible for the gown to fall backwards during the spinal procedure, contaminating the sterile space, increasing the patient’s risk of infection. SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a garment including an inner and outer sides, a first shoulder, a second shoulder, a front side having a first front panel extending from the first shoulder and a second front panel extending from the second shoulder, a back side and a bottom edge, the first front panel and the second front panel having a diagonal border extending from each of the first shoulder and the second shoulder to an endpoint, and a border extending from the end point of the diagonal border to the bottom edge, the first front panel and the second front panel being configured to wrap over one another to close the front of the garment, the garment comprising: a baby securing means attached to the inner side of at least one of the first front panels and the second front panel, the baby securing means being configured to receive and secure at least a lower half of the baby’s body leaving an upper half of the baby body available for skin-to-skin contact with a wearer of the garment; a webbing sewn into a channel that extends from each of the first shoulder and the second shoulder along the diagonal border of each of the first front panel and the second front panel, the channel having an opening at the end of the diagonal border through which a free end of the webbing extends; and a pair of fasteners attached to the garment, each fastener configured to receive a respective free end of the webbing for coupling between each of the fasteners to the respective free end of the webbing. In one aspect, the baby securing means is a pouch or a pocket. In one embodiment of the garment of the present disclosure, the garment comprises two baby securing means, a first baby securing means on the inner side of the first panel of the garment and a second baby securing means on the inner side of the second panel of the garment. In another embodiment of the garment of the present disclosure, the baby securing means is positioned on a place of the garment to ensure it is above a pregnant abdomen and not interfering with a cesarean procedure. In another embodiment of the garment of the present disclosure, the garment further comprises an adjustable band having a middle section secured to a place of the inner side of the back side of the garment and two free ends that extend from the middle section, each of the two free ends having a coupling means that cooperate to secure the adjustable band, the adjustable band being configured towrap around the wearer. In another embodiment of the garment of the present disclosure, the adjustable band is positioned on the garment to ensure it is above a pregnant abdomen and not interfering with a cesarean procedure. In another embodiment of the garment of the present disclosure, the garment further comprises an elongated slit therethrough between said inner and outer sides, said slit being located on the back side of said garment. In another embodiment of the garment of the present disclosure, the garment further comprises a flap configured to at least partially cover the slit. In one aspect, the flap is configured to fully cover the slit. In another embodiment of the garment of the present disclosure, the flap is configured to drop open. In another embodiment of the garment of the present disclosure, the garment further comprises a through hole suitable for receiving ECG leads. In another embodiment of the garment of the present disclosure, the first shoulder and the second shoulder have a width that secures the infant’s head in place. In another embodiment of the garment of the present disclosure, the garment defines a V-neck opening when the garment is closed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following figures illustrate various aspects and preferred and alternative embodiments. Figs. 1A-1C - 1A: Front view of a garment in the form of a gown in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 1B: See through of the front view of a garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure illustrating the pockets, adjustable band and straps. 1C: See through of the front view of a garment in the form of a gown in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure without an adjustable band. Fig. 2A-2B - 2A: Front Open view of the front of a garment in the form of a gown with an adjustable band in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 2B: Front Open view of the front of a garment in the form of a gown without an adjustable band in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figs. 3A-3C- 3A: Front view of a garment in the form of a vest in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 3B: See through of the front view of a garment in the form of a vest in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure illustrating the pockets, adjustable band and straps. 3C: Front Open view of the front of a garment in the form of a vest in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figs. 4A-4B - 4A: Back view of a garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 4B: Front view of a garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figs. 5A-5C - 5A: Back view of a garment in the form of a gown with the slit / window in the closed position in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure worn by a subject sitting on an operating room table. 5B: Back view of a garment in the form of a gown with the slit / window in the opened position in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure worn by a subject sitting on an operating room table. Fig. 6 - Back view of a garment in the form of a vest in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure worn by a subject sitting on an operating room table. Figs. 7A to 7C - Various baby positions within a garment in the form of a gown having an adjustable band in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 7A: in a direct vertical plane between the patients breasts, 7B: in a diagonal plane horizontally across the patients breasts, or 7C: in a horizontal plane. Figs. 8A to 8C - Various baby positions within a garment in the form of a gown without an adjustable band in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 8A: in a direct vertical plane between the patient’s breasts, 8B: in a diagonal plane horizontally across the patient’s breasts, or 8C: in a horizontal plane. Fig. 9 - Baby positioned within a garment in the form of a vest in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. It is understood that the baby may be accommodated also in a vertical plane or in a horizontal plane. Fig. 10 - Lateral view of a mother-to-be in an operating room wearing a garment in the form of a gown in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 11 - Lateral view of a mother-to-be in an operating room wearing a garment in the form of a vest in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DISCLOSURE Definitions All numerical designations, are approximations which are varied ( + ) or ( - ) by increments of 1.0 or 0.1, or 0.01 as appropriate, or alternatively by a variation of + / -20%, + / - 15 %, or alternatively + / - 10%, or alternatively + / - 5% or alternatively + / - 2%. It is to be understood, although not always explicitly stated, that all numerical designations are preceded by the term “about”. As used in the specification and claims, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Overview The present disclosure relates to garments, including gowns and vests, that promote skin-to-skin contact between a mother and a newborn baby, that is suitable for cesarean and vaginal births. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides for a garment, which can take the form of a vest (see Figs. 3, 6, 9 and 11) or a gown (see Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 10), to be worn during delivery that promotes skin-to-skin contact between the mother and newborn. In one embodiment, the garment of the present disclosure is suitable for cesarean births. In another embodiment, the garment of the present disclosure is also suitable for use during vaginal births. The garment of the present disclosure includes a securing means (e.g. a pouch or pocket) to secure the newborn in place to reduce the risk of the newborn falling and further to ensure adequate warmth. In one embodiment, working cooperatively with the pocket are ties configured to be secured 6 as tightly or as loosely as needed. In one embodiment, the ties feed through the inside panels of the garment, which prevents the garment from unwrapping abruptly if the ties are untied. In another embodiment, the pockets may not be fed / secured through the gown and instead secured with buckles or Velcro®. In one embodiment, the securing means of the garment is / are configured to secure the lower half of the infant’s body while the chest and abdomen of the infant are available for skin-to-skin contact with the mother. In another embodiment, the inside of the garment is configured to accommodate ECG leads while keeping them from coming into contact with the infant to prevent possible inaccurate readings. Additional features include the use of moisture-wicking materials (e.g. bamboo, polycotton, cotton, nylon and so forth) which are also breathable, maintain some level of heat retention and are stretchy. The material properties ensure that the newborn does not stay wet and cold which can result in poor transition post-birth. The wrap of the garment maintains coverage in the back, which is useful to preserve dignity with coverage of the patient’s body, in contrast to standard hospital gowns. The product is further designed for hospital use and thus avoids the incorporation of features that may present issues for laundering and sterilization. In one embodiment, the garment of the present disclosure is free of, i.e., it does not include, the use of metal(s), in alignment with hospital operating room standards. There are potentially multiple products contemplated including a hospital version, a commercial version for patient purchase along with variants that may be required for cesarean versus vaginal birth. Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, in one embodiment, the present disclosure provides for a garment 10 comprising, or alternatively consisting essentially of, or alternatively consisting of, an inner side 20 and outer side 30, a first shoulder 42, a second shoulder 44, a front side 50 having a first front side or panel 52 extending from the first shoulder 42 and a second front side or panel 54 extending from the second shoulder 44, a back side 60 and a bottom edge 70a,b. The first front side 52 and the second front side 54 include a diagonal border 56a,b extending from each of the first shoulder 42 and the second shoulder 44 to an endpoint 58, and a vertical border 55a,b extending from the endpoint 58 of the diagonal border 56a,b to the bottom edge 70a,b. In one embodiment, one front panel 52, 54 of the front 50 wraps over the other front panel 52, 54 (cross over) to close the front 50 of the garment 10. The wrap-front can be secured with securing means 89a,b such as Velcro® (hooks and loops bands), buttons, snaps, a tie, a belt and so forth. A pair of arm holes 6 extend down from the shoulders 42, 44. In one embodiment, the width of the shoulder 42, 44 (i.e. from the front to the back) is configured to secure the infant’s head in place. Having this configuration for the shoulder’s width allows the infants to have their head securely tucked in place with a visible airway. As such, in one embodiment, the width of the shoulder 42, 44 is at least 3 cm, or at least 4 cm, or at least 5 cm, or at least 6 cm. Too narrow a shoulder width will not secure the infant’s head in place and therefore puts the infant at risk of sliding up into the patients neck / or theoretically off the OR table. When closed, garment 10 may have a V-neckline 11 or a plunging neckline, depending on how far the fabric crosses over. In one embodiment, the garment comprises, or alternatively consists essentially of, or alternatively consists of, a baby securing means 51 attached to the inner side 20 of at least one of the first front panel 52 and the second front panel 54. The garment of the present disclosure can include one securing means or two securing means. The baby / infant securing means 51, which in aspects takes the form of a pouch or pocket, is configured to receive and secure a lower half of a baby’s body (legs, or legs and bum) such as leaving the upper half of the baby’s body (including the chest and abdomen) available for skin-to-skin contact with a wearer of the garment. The garment pockets 51 and panels allow for the infant to be secure in the garment, preventing the infant from moving their legs or feet downwards into the sterile space. Garment 10 ensures the infant does not come into contact with any sharp objects or break sterile protocol in an operating room. In one embodiment, the baby securing means 51 is placed or positioned in the garment to ensure it is above a pregnant abdomen and not interfering with a cesarean procedure. The garment pockets 51 may be placed across the breasts and no lower than about 2 to 4 cm below the breastbone of the mother such that the pocket 51 is placed high enough to not interfere with the sterile field during a cesarean procedure, or where the infant could kick and hit the surgeon through the sterile drape causing harm to the birthing patient. As illustrated in Figs. 7A-7C and Figs. 8A-8C, the newborn infant can be placed in either a direct vertical plane between the patient’s breasts (Figs. 7A, 8A), horizontally across the patient’s breasts (Figs. 7C, 8C), or in a diagonal plane (Figs. 7B, 8B). The location of the infant will depend on the patient’s anatomy, size of breasts and where the infant appears to be placed most safely. The garment of the present disclosure helps to create versatility in this way by offering the clinician and patient, various ways the infant can be placed. In one embodiment, shown in Figs. 2A, 2B and 3C, one of the front panels has a large mid-sized pocket 51b, and the other front panel has a smaller, stretchier and deeper pocket 51a that is intended to be more form-fitting. In another embodiment, the pocket 51 on each of the front panels have similar or same characteristics in size, properties (stretch, etc.) and materials. In this document, the reference numbers 51 is used in general to include 51a and 51b as well as to include pockets having the same characteristics in size, properties and material. The newborn infant is placed in one-panel pocket 51, that is secured, for the first time, with the free ends of the corresponding webbing 85a,b (see below). The second garment panel will come across the infant securing them with the remaining panel and webbing 85a,b, for a second time, in place and tied appropriately. The free ends of webbing 85a,b may be tied or connected with Velcro®, clips, buttons, snaps, ties or any suitable fastener as described below. In one embodiment, the garment 10 comprises, or alternatively consists essentially of, or alternatively consists of, a tie means 80 having a middle section 81 secured (i.e., detachable or not detachable) to a place of the inner side 20 of the back side 60 of the 9 garment 10 and two free ends 83a,b that extend from the middle section 81. Free ends 83a,b can be connected through connecting buckles, Velcro® or any other suitable fastener / connecting / coupling means. The free ends 83a,b are secured around the abdomen of the wearer directly as an anchor, to help prevent the garment 10 from unwrapping quickly if strap 80 becomes untied. The tie means 80 is configured to wrap around the wearer. The tie means 80 is located at a position on the garment 10 that ensures it is above the pregnant abdomen or over the pregnant abdomen to not constrict the pregnant uterus and not interfere with a cesarean procedure. The tie or band or strap 80, which in embodiments is an elasticized tie, band or strap, can be secured around the abdomen of the patient to ensure that if the pockets 51 accidentally come undone while lying down, the garment 10 itself will not slip off of the mother. Band 80 acts as an anchor to the mother (the wearer of the garment). The adjustable middle section band 80 also promotes safety in twin births, so that if one twin moves on the. chest, the other will not move as well and will remain safely in place. The belt / band 80 keeps the garment 10 in the same position and unable to fall off the patient if one twin moves causing an unequal distribution of weight within the garment. Band 80 wraps all the way around and helps connect the front 52 of the garment to the back 60, so while an anesthesiologist is putting in a spinal / epidural and when they open the slit or window, it will not compromise the rest of the garment 10. In embodiments, the anchor waistband 80 is located approximately 2-4 cm below the breastbone to ensure it is above the pregnant abdomen and not interfering with the cesarean procedure. In one embodiment, the adjustable band 80 is present when the garment takes the form of a vest (see Figs. 3, 6, 9 and 11). Figs. 1B, 2A, 5, 7A-7C and 10 show a garment 10 in the form of a gown having adjustable band 80. Figs. 2B, 8A-8C show a garment 10 in the form of a gown without the adjustable band. In one embodiment, garment 10 includes a pair of holes 189 that allow the free ends of the band 80 through. The user has the option of passing the band though holes 189 or not. In one embodiment, the garment 10 further comprises, or alternatively consists essentially of, or alternatively consists of, a pair of webbings 85a,b sewn into a channel 10 86a,b that extends from each of the first shoulder 42 and the second shoulder 44 along the diagonal border 56a,b of each of the first front side 52 and the second front side 54, the channel 86a,b having an opening 87 at the end of the diagonal border 56a,b through which a free end of the webbing 85a,b extends. A pair of fasteners 89a,b, for example, a pair of connecting buckles or Velcro® (hooks and loops bands) are attached to the garment 10, for example to back side 60 or between the back side 60 and the front side 50. Each fastener 89a,b is configured to receive and connect with a respective fastener at the free end of the webbing 85a,b to secure the webbings. The two webbings 85a,b located on each side of the garment 10, can be tied as tightly as needed to secure the infant in the inside panel or pocket when placed on the mother’s / birthing patient’s chest. The webbings or straps 85a,b are adjustable and the straps 85a,b feed through channel 86a,b to help add extra tension on the front panels 52 and 54 and pockets 51 to secure the infant in place. One embodiment foregoes the fastener at the free end of the webbing 85a,b, with Velcro® being used instead to secure each free end of webbing 85a,b only to the outside front panel 52, 54 or stretching to the back 60 of the garment 10, depending on how tightly the webbing needs to be tightened to secure the infant. Garment 10 is designed to be quickly removed in case of emergencies. Having the garment tied / buckled in place in these ways allows for healthcare providers to undo one side of the vest / gown and remove the infant without worrying the garment will come unraveled, dropping the infant. In one embodiment, the garment of the present disclosure takes the form of a vest. In this embodiment, tie means 80 is located at the bottom edge 70b of the garment 10. For convenience only, when the garment takes the form of a vest, the bottom edge is referred to with reference number 70b and when the garment takes the form of a gown the reference number is 70a. Reference number 70 may be used to refer to the bottom edge of both the vest and the gown. In another embodiment, the garment takes the form of a gown. In this embodiment, the garment 10 further comprises, or alternatively consists essentially of, or alternatively consists of, an elongated slit or window 90 therethrough between said inner 20 and outer sides 30, said slit / window 90 being located on the back side 60 of the garment 10 and vertically extending down from a point below the place 81 of the back 60 where the first tie means 80 is secured and without reaching the bottom edge 70a. In one embodiment, the window / slit 90 extends down vertically to just above the patient’s hip bone / sacrum. In aspects, the garment 10 further includes a flap 91 configured to at least partially cover the slit / window 90. In one aspect, flap 91 fully covers the slit / window 90. The slit or window 90 allows a spinal or epidural procedure without having to remove the garment 10. Slit / window 90 is configured to be large enough to enable the epidural procedure. The slit or window 90 is strategically placed to ensure that a spinal or epidural procedure’s sterile field will not be broken. In one embodiment, the slit or window 90 is closed by a flap 91. In one embodiment, the bottom edge 92 of flap 91 is fixed to the back side 60, while the top edge 93 of flap 91 is removably attached to the back side 60 by a suitable attachment. In one embodiment, top edge 93 of flap 91 includes Velcro® hooks 96 to mesh with Velcro® loops 97 mounted on back side 60 (or vice versa, i.e., Velcro® hooks mounted on the back of the garment and Velcro® loops mounted on top edge of flap), making it easier to open flap 91, and it drops downwards. This downward drop offlap 91 is advantageous because there is virtually no risk for the flap coming back into the sterile space once the spinal or epidural procedure has started. The spinal epidural window or slit 90 is designed to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art to be easy for healthcare providers to open and close, to prevent contamination in the sterile field and again, to protect the patient’s dignity by not having their bum, breasts or back / shoulders open, getting cold or for the OR team to see. As many women feel that cesarean births make them very vulnerable and wish they had an alternative garment to maintain some physical privacy. Reference number 98 depicts a hair net. The inside of garment 10 has a hole 12 for the patient’s ECG leads to be placed through the garment. Placement of the ECG hole 12 is important to ensure that the patient ECG leads do not come into contact with the infant and provide inaccurate reading of vital signs and cause an unnecessary emergency for the birthing parent. The ECG leads, if placed appropriately in this garment, will not allow the infant to come into contact with the leads. As such, in another embodiment, the garment 10 further comprises, or alternatively consists essentially of, or alternatively consists of, a through hole 12 between the inner 20 and outer sides 30 through which ECG leads can be placed. The ECG hole 12 is located at the back side 60 above the middle section 81, and below the arm holes 6. In one embodiment, the ECG hole 12 is located on just one side of the garment 10, preferably on the left side of the garment 10 to accommodate the location of the left side ECG requirement. In another embodiment, the ECG hole is located on both sides of the garment. As illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, garment 10 of the present disclosure does not interfere with sterile procedures or the normal processes of cesarean surgery. Garment 10 of the present disclosure can be easily lifted to and opened to expose the patient’s pregnant abdomen to allow for a proper sterile cleaning procedure. Garment 10 remains on the non-sterile side 14 of the procedure (marked by the OR drape pole 13) where the baby will be placed. The garment of the present disclosure does not need to be sterilized before use. In one embodiment, the garment of the present disclosure is free of wires or metal that would interfere with surgical protocols. In embodiments, the snaps are made from plastic. The garment of the present disclosure maintains full coverage of the patient by ensuring the patient’s breasts are not exposed unnecessarily and that the infant is secure enough that the patient does not feel compelled to hold the infant in place on their chest. The garment of the present disclosure is configured such that it can be quickly removed in the case of emergencies. Having the vest and gown tied / buckled in place in the ways described before, allows for healthcare providers to undo one side of the vest / gown and remove the infant without worrying the gown / vest will come unraveled, dropping the infant. REFERENCES 1. Joeyband.com 5 Although various embodiments of the disclosure have been described and illustrated, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the present description that numerous modifications and variations can be made. The scope of the invention is defined more particularly in the appended claims. 10

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A garment including an inner and outer sides, a first shoulder, a second shoulder, a front side having a first front panel extending from the first shoulder and a second front panel extending from the second shoulder, a back side and a bottom edge, the first front panel and the second front panel having a diagonal border extending from each of the first shoulder and the second shoulder to an endpoint, and a border extending from the end point of the diagonal border to the bottom edge, the first front panel and the second front panel being configured to wrap over one another to close the front of the garment,the garment defining a V-neck opening when the garment is closed,said garment comprising:- a baby securing means attached to the inner side of at least one of the first front panels and the second front panel, the baby securing means being configured to receive and secure at least a lower half of the baby’s body leaving an upper half of the baby body available for skin-to-skin contact with a wearer of the garment;- a webbing sewn into a channel that extends from each of the first shoulder and the second shoulder along the diagonal border of each of the first front panel and the second front panel, the channel having an opening at the end of the diagonal border through which a free end of the webbing extends; and- a pair of fasteners attached to the garment, each fastener configured to receive a respective free end of the webbing for coupling between each of the fasteners to the respective free end of the webbing.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment comprises two baby securing means, a first baby securing means on the inner side of the first panel of the garment and a second baby securing means on the inner side of the second panel of the garment.

3. The garment of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the baby securing means is positioned on a place of the garment to ensure it is above a pregnant abdomen and not interfering with a cesarean procedure.

4. The garment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the garment further comprises an adjustable band having a middle section secured to a place of the inner side of the back side of the garment and two free ends that extend from the middle section, each of the two free ends having a coupling means that cooperate to secure the adjustable band, the adjustable band being configured towrap around the wearer.

5. The garment of claim 4, wherein the adjustable band is positioned on the garment to ensure it is above a pregnant abdomen and not interfering with a cesarean procedure.

6. The garment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the garment further comprises an elongated slit therethrough between said inner and outer sides, said slit being located on the back side of said garment.

7. The garment of claim 6, wherein the garment further comprises a flap configured to at least partially cover the slit.

8. The garment of claim 7, wherein the flap is configured to drop open.

9. The garment according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the garment further comprises a through hole suitable for receiving ECG leads.

10. The garment according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first shoulder and the second shoulder have a width that secures the infant’s head in place.17

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