Parents' first moments with their very preterm babies: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT: To assess parents' first experiences of their very preterm babies and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Qualitative study using semistructured interviews. 32 mothers and 7 fathers of very preterm babies (<32 weeks gestation). Three neonatal units in tertiary care hospitals in South East England. Five themes were identified. The first describes parents' blurred recall of the birth. The second shows the anticipation of seeing and touching their baby for the first time was characterised by contrasting emotions, with some parents feeling scared and others excited about the event. The third theme describes parents' first sight and touch of their babies and their 'rollercoaster' of emotions during this time. It also highlights the importance of touch to trigger and strengthen the parent-b

SUBMITTER: Arnold L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3641451 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature