Perceptions of parents of premature newborns in neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

Aim: to understand the perception of parents during paternity/maternity of a premature newborn. Method: A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study conducted through semi-structured interviews with parents of preterm infants in intensive care between November and December 2012. The data were submitted to thematic content analysis. Results: The age of the parents ranged from 14 to 35 years; most mothers attended antenatal care and 90,0% of the births were cesarean. After the analysis, the following categories emerged: The powerlessness before the hospitalization of their child; the hope of parents in relation to hospital discharge; and the insecurity of the mother regarding breastfeeding. Parents experienced sadness, anguish, anxiety, fear and inability; mothers recognize the importance of lactation, despite the feeling of inability to breastfeed. Final Considerations: It is necessary to include the parents in the care for the newborn, providing them with security and strengthening the development of the emotional bond

Keywords

• pais
• unidade de terapia intensiva
• enfermagem
• recém-nascido