Isabel María Fernández Medina1, José Granero-Molina2, Cayetano Fernández-Sola3, José Manuel Hernández-Padilla4, Marcos Camacho Ávila5, María Del Mar López Rodríguez6. 1. Torrecárdenas Hospital, Andalusian Health Service, Almería, Spain. Electronic address: ifm731@inlumine.ual.es. 2. Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almeria, Spain; Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Temuco, Chile. Electronic address: jgranero@ual.es. 3. Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almeria, Spain; Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Temuco, Chile. Electronic address: cfernan@ual.es. 4. Adult, Child and Midwifery Department, School of Health and Education, Middlesex University, London, UK. Electronic address: J.Hernandez-Padilla@mdx.ac.uk. 5. Torrevieja University Hospital, Alicante, Spain. Electronic address: mcamacho@torrevieja-salud.com. 6. Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almeria, Spain. Electronic address: mlr295@ual.es.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The birth of an extremely preterm infant can disrupt normal mother-infant physical contact and the care provided by the mother. This situation has an impact on the process of bonding between the mother and the child. AIM: The objective of this study was to describe and understand the experiences of mothers who have extremely preterm infants admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Units with regard to their bonding process. METHODS: An interpretive, qualitative research methodology using Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics was carried out. A focus group and eleven in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data were collected between June and September of 2016. FINDINGS: Sixteen women with a mean age of 34.4 years participated in the study. Two themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) premature labour and technological environment, a distorted motherhood, with the subthemes 'feeling of emptiness and emotional crisis' and 'the complexity of the environment and care generate an emotional swing'; (2) learning to be the mother of an extremely preterm infant, with the subthemes "the difficulty of relating to a stranger" and 'forming the bond in spite of difficulties'. CONCLUSIONS: The bonding with extremely preterm infants is interrupted after giving birth. The maternal emotional state and the environment of the neonatal intensive care unit limit its development. Nursing care can facilitate mother-infant bonding by encouraging communication, participation in care, massaging or breastfeeding.
BACKGROUND: The birth of an extremely preterm infant can disrupt normal mother-infant physical contact and the care provided by the mother. This situation has an impact on the process of bonding between the mother and the child. AIM: The objective of this study was to describe and understand the experiences of mothers who have extremely preterm infants admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Units with regard to their bonding process. METHODS: An interpretive, qualitative research methodology using Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics was carried out. A focus group and eleven in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data were collected between June and September of 2016. FINDINGS: Sixteen women with a mean age of 34.4 years participated in the study. Two themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) premature labour and technological environment, a distorted motherhood, with the subthemes 'feeling of emptiness and emotional crisis' and 'the complexity of the environment and care generate an emotional swing'; (2) learning to be the mother of an extremely preterm infant, with the subthemes "the difficulty of relating to a stranger" and 'forming the bond in spite of difficulties'. CONCLUSIONS: The bonding with extremely preterm infants is interrupted after giving birth. The maternal emotional state and the environment of the neonatal intensive care unit limit its development. Nursing care can facilitate mother-infant bonding by encouraging communication, participation in care, massaging or breastfeeding.
Authors: Charlotte Gerrity; Samantha Farley; Mary C Barks; Peter A Ubel; Debra Brandon; Kathryn I Pollak; Monica E Lemmon Journal: J Child Neurol Date: 2022-02-08 Impact factor: 2.363
Authors: Erika Baraldi; Mara Westling Allodi; Ann-Charlotte Smedler; Björn Westrup; Kristina Löwing; Ulrika Ådén Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-12-13 Impact factor: 3.390