Experiences of Mothers of Preterm Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay following the birth of a preterm infant can be stressful and traumatic for families. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the NICU environment changed precipitously as infection control and visitor restriction measures were implemented. Purpose: Our study aimed to examine the impact of the pandemic policies on the experiences of mothers of preterm infants during their stay in the NICU. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with mothers of preterm infants hospitalized in a Canadian tertiary-level NICU. Informed by interpretive description methodology, interview content was transcribed and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. The identified themes were validated, clarified, or refined using investigator triangulation. Results: Nine English-speaking mothers, aged 28 to 40 years, were interviewed. Four themes emerged from the analysis of their experiences: (1) disrupted family dynamic, support, and bonding; (2) physical and emotional isolation; (3) negative psychological impact compounded by added concerns, maternal role change, and survival mode mentality; and (4) positive aspects of the pandemic management measures. Implications for Practice: During the pandemic, the way that care was provided in the NICU changed. This study helps to explore how neonatal clinicians can foster individual and organizational resilience to keep patients and families at the center of care, even when the healthcare system is under intense stress. Implications for Research : Our results show that these changes heightened mothers' distress, but also had a modest positive impact. Further research about long-term consequences of pandemic policies on the mother and preterm infant after NICU discharge is warranted.

Parents’ Participation in Care during Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Stay in COVID-19 Era: An Observational Study

“…Our findings also highlight a lower interaction between extremely preterm newborns and their parents. A previously published study described that, during the stay in the NICU, mothers of preterm infants experienced the disruption of family dynamics, support and bonding, physical and emotional isolation, a negative psychological impact compounded by increased concerns, a change in maternal role, and survival mode mentality [ 34 ]. A meta-analysis including 38 studies and a total of 3025 parents of preterm infants indicated that parents of preterm-born children experienced only slightly more stress than parents of term-born children.…”

Parents’ Participation in Care during Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Stay in COVID-19 Era: A Quantitative Observational Study

“…Our findings also highlighted a lower interaction between extremely preterm newborns and their parents. A previously published study described that during the stay in the NICU, mothers of preterm infants experienced disruption of family dynamics, support and bonding; physical and emotional isolation; negative psychological impact compounded by increased concerns, change in maternal role and survival mode mentality [25]. Furthermore, the complex psychosocial needs of parents of extremely preterm infants were challenging for the NICU and its staff already before the COVID-19 pandemic [26].…”

The Dynamics of the Emotional State of Mothers of Infant Born Moderately or Late Prematurely (32–36 Weeks)

“…Однако стоит отметить, что значительно меньше исследований посвящено вопросам психического здоровья женщины в ситуации преждевременных родов и рождения недоношенного ребенка. Преждевременное завершение беременности и высокие риски для жизни и здоровья ребенка являются значительным стрессом для матери, негативно отражающимся на ее эмоциональном состоянии [16,18].…”