A qualitative study: Mothers of late preterm infants relate their experiences of community-based care.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

In Alberta, the high occurrence of late preterm infants and early hospital discharge of mother-infant dyads has implications for postpartum care in the community. Shortened hospital stay and complexities surrounding the care of biologically and developmentally immature late preterm infants heighten anxiety and fears. Our descriptive phenomenological study explores mothers' experience of caring for their late preterm infants in the community.

Methods

Eleven mothers were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Interview transcripts were analysed using an interpretive thematic approach.

Findings

The mothers' hospital experience informed their perspective that being a late preterm infant was not a "big deal," and they tended to treat their infant as n

SUBMITTER: Premji SS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5363959 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature