Differences and similarities between mothers and fathers of premature children: a qualitative study of parents’ coping experiences in a neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to explore and describe the coping experiences of parents to children admitted to a neonatal unit.MethodsA qualitative research approach was chosen, using in-depth interviews with eight fathers and eight mothers.ResultsThe main findings were that parents with previous complicated births had more difficulties in coping compared to those parents with no experience with complications. Coping seemed easier where parents’ opinions were heard regarding their baby’s care and when both parents were present in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The main similarities between mothers and fathers were the reluctance to speak their opinions on childcare, and both experienced a sense of alienation and problems in bonding with the baby. They also needed a limitation on the number of visitors in the NICU. Differences between mothers and fathers were that fathers tried hard to be the strong partner in the relationship, and were more concerned with the mother if she was seriously ill postpartum, while mothers were more concerned for their baby. Mothers’ postpartum period was felt as more stressful if the father was not present, but mothers were also better at welcoming support from the health personnel.ConclusionThis study highlights the parent’s coping experiences in NICUs. Coping seemed easier where parents’ opinions were heard. Nurses in the NICU should take the former experiences of the parents into consideration when nursing in the NICU and planning for discharge.

Fathers’ experiences with their preterm babies admitted to neonatal intensive care unit: A multi‐method study

“…With regard to fathers’ chaotic feelings on seeing their baby for the first time, our findings are consistent with previous studies (Arnold et al., ; Hagen et al., ; Hugill, Letherby, Reid, & Lavender, ; Stacey, Osborn, & Salkovskis, ). Similarly, fathers’ concerns about infecting or hurting their baby by touching her/him are in line with previous studies, but inconsistent with evidence on the benefits from tactile experience during NICU stay (i.e.…”

“…However, although family‐centred care in the NICU has greatly improved in recent decades, the involvement of fathers there is restricted by contextual, individual and cultural barriers (Feeley, Sherrard, Waitzer, & Boisvert, ). Moreover, although fathers’ experiences differ from those of mothers’ (Hagen, Iversen, & Svindseth, ; Matricardi, Agostino, Fedeli, & Montirosso, ), the great majority of qualitative studies in the field of prematurity so far have mainly or exclusively concentrated on the mothers and typically too few fathers were interviewed (often <10 participants Provenzi & Santoro, ) for the data to be reliable (Stefana & Lavelli, ). To the best of our knowledge, no studies have focused their investigations on the father's role, his emotional experiences and or his reactions to the preterm birth from the very first moments of their child's life to the stabilization of their medical conditions (Stefana & Lavelli, ).…”

Parents experiences of feeding their extremely preterm children during the first 2‐3 years – A qualitative study

“…Extremely preterm infants require a long stay at a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This is a stressful situation for the parents of the infants . The stress of being a parent to an extremely preterm infant can last for a long period after birth .…”

Parental experiences of family‐centred care from admission to discharge in the neonatal intensive care unit

“…Previous research has utilised cross‐sectional or retrospective designs, which have methodological limitations. We also wanted to examine the experiences of both mothers and fathers as, until recently, fathers’ experiences and stressors, especially within an FCC framework, have been largely overlooked . Our study thus had three objectives: (i) examine parental feedback on how well we are currently delivering FCC; (ii) examine whether differences exist between admission and discharge; and (iii) examine the unique experiences of both mothers and fathers.…”