Psychological stress of parents of preterm infants enrolled in an early discharge programme from the neonatal intensive care unit: a prospective randomised trial

Abstract

Vulnerability of parents enrolled in an EDP did not increase after hospital discharge. Physical well-being of the baby was the most important issue for both groups. EDP parents requested less paediatric support and scored higher in the Well-being verbatim.

Caring for a premature child at home: from fear and doubt to trust

“…In average, the mothers participating in the study needed seven weeks to start feeling comfortable and secure to take care of their infants at home, after the return of their children from the neonatal unit. Such findings are similar to those described by other researchers, who report the difficulties mothers undergo to establish a bond with their children when they do not have a close contact with them right after their birth; 1,4,7 , the feeling of impotence toward caring for the child at home after the infant is discharged from the hospital; [5][6]8,10 the doubts and uncertainties as to how to perform some care activities and how to modify them as the baby grows and changes, as well as the feeling of not being a real mother but a fearful person that is incapable of taking care of her child without the support of healthcare professionals. [4][5][6][14][15][16] Throughout the pre and postnatal period, the professional nurse is recognized as the one being in more contact with the woman.…”

“…1 Therefore, it is very common that when the child´s discharge from the hospital is announced, the mothers feel happy but insecure and do not trust their abilities to successfully take care of the infants at home. [5][6][7] Also, it has been reported that parents who are allowed to have early and steady contact with and participate in the care process for the premature child in the NICU show confidence and readiness to play their roles of single caregivers at home. 6,[8][9] Hence, healthcare professionals should recognize these facts and offer parents of hospitalized newborn babies the place they deserve to be with their children.…”

The Alien Child: The Experience of Mothers of Hospitalized Premature Children

“…Estos hallazgos son similares a los obtenidos por diversos autores que reportan la inhabilidad de las madres para establecer apropiadamente un vínculo afectivo con su hijo al no tener contacto con él después del nacimiento (1,2,7,8,13,14). Las limitantes identificadas por las madres en la UCIN para desarrollar el rol de cuidadora de su hijo durante la hospitalización; el sentimiento de incapacidad para cuidarlo en casa al momento de ser dado de alta del hospital (5,14-16), y las dudas e inquietudes sobre cómo aproximarse, realizar contacto y cuidar a su hijo (3,8,9,(14)(15)(16)(17).…”

“…Estudios realizados en los últimos años han permitido conocer parte de lo que sucede al interior de las familias cuando un recién nacido requiere hospitalización, cómo vivencian el proceso, qué pasa con sus roles, cuáles son sus dudas, temores, fortalezas, expectativas, mayores esperanzas y alegrías (1)(2)(3)(4). Hay evidencia de que la separación durante la hospitalización rompe con la dinámica del cuidado parental y tiene consecuencias en todos los integrantes del grupo familiar (5,6).…”

“…Los miembros del equipo de salud y, en especial, los profesionales de enfermería de la UCIN (3,8,9) deben reconocer y comprender la complejidad de las vivencias de los padres para que puedan dimensionar sus verdaderas necesidades y ofrecer acciones de cuidado que les proporcionen elementos adaptativos, que indudablemente van más allá de dar información sobre la enfermedad del bebé y los procedimientos realizados. Poco a poco, la mirada del personal de salud se dirige a los padres de los niños hospitalizados en la UCIN para reconocerles y darles el espacio que tienen por derecho propio al lado de sus hijos.…”