‘I still have difficulties feeling like a mother’: The transition to motherhood of preterm infants mothers

Spinelli, Maria; Frigerio, Alessandra; Montali, Lorenzo; Fasolo, Mirco; Spada, Maria Simonetta; Mangili, Giovanna

doi:10.1080/08870446.2015.1088015

Cited by 117 publications

(138 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…This finding is limited by the lack of information about when mothers actually started to express breast milk. Furthermore, other factors are associated with the decisions to express milk and adequacy of the milk supply including grief, which can be present after very preterm birth, and the stress associated with NICU hospitalizations (Flacking, Ewald, & Starrin, ; Shah, Clements, & Poehlmann, ; Shin & White‐Traut, ; Spinelli et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Room for improvement in breast milk feeding after very preterm birth in Europe: Results from the EPICE cohort

Wilson

Bonamy

Bonet

et al. 2017

Maternal & Child Nutrition

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Breast milk feeding (BMF) is associated with lower neonatal morbidity in the very preterm infant (<32 weeks gestation) and breastfeeding is beneficial for maternal health. Previous studies show large variations in BMF after very preterm birth and recognize the need for targeted breastfeeding support in the neonatal intensive care units (NICU). In a European collaboration project about evidence-based practices after very preterm birth, we examined the association between maternal, obstetric, and infant clinical factors; neonatal and maternal care unit policies; and BMF at discharge from the NICU. In multivariable analyses, covariates associated with feeding at discharge were first investigated as predictors of any BMF and in further analysis as predictors of exclusive or partial BMF. Overall, 58% (3,826/6,592) of the infants received any BMF at discharge, but there were large variations between regions (range 36-80%). Primiparity, administration of antenatal corticosteroids, first enteral feed <24 hr after birth, and mother's own milk at first enteral feed were predictors positively associated with any BMF at discharge. Vaginal delivery, singleton birth, and receiving mother's own milk at first enteral feed were associated with exclusive BMF at discharge. Units with a Baby Friendly Hospital accreditation improved any BMF at discharge; units with protocols for BMF and units using donor milk had higher rates of exclusive BMF at discharge. This study suggests that there is a high potential for improving BMF through policies and support in the NICU.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Room for improvement in breast milk feeding after very preterm birth in Europe: Results from the EPICE cohort

Wilson

Bonamy

Bonet

et al. 2017

Maternal & Child Nutrition

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“…In the present study, the term moderately and late preterm infants included infants born between 30.0 and 36.0 weeks, as has also been done in previous studies (4)(5)(6). With a preterm baby, the normal attachment between a mother and her baby is disturbed since the staff at the neonatal intensive unit (NICU) have the main responsible for nursing and care after birth (7,8). The transition from hospital to home can be a challenging period for the parents of a preterm infant (9)(10)(11)(12).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mothers’ experiences after coming home from the hospital with a moderately to late preterm infant – a qualitative study

Breivold

Hjaelmhult

Sjöström-Strand

et al. 2019

Scandinavian Caring Sciences

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Background Mothers of preterm infants are at greater risk of symptoms of stress and anxiety compared to mothers of term infants. Aims This study aimed to explore mothers’ experiences after coming home from the hospital with a moderately to late preterm infant. Methods A qualitative and explorative method was used. Ten mothers who had given birth to a preterm baby with a gestational age between 30.0 and 36.0 were interviewed. The interviews were conducted two to three months after the mothers and their babies were discharged from hospital. The data were analysed by means of latent and manifest qualitative content analysis. Findings One overall theme emerged from the analysis: ‘Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel’ and four categories were identified ‘Finding a safe haven at home’, ‘Gaining support and learning to ensure optimal feeding’, ‘Seeing the child's possibilities’ and ‘Receiving professional attention and reassurance’. In particular, adequate breastfeeding guidance and help with practical tasks at home were emphasised as important for the mothers, and need to be incorporated into the practice of public health nurses. Conclusions Practical help and support from close people, combined with individual professional follow‐up, were important for the mothers’ ability to cope with the hospital‐to‐home transition. There should be a strong focus on breastfeeding guidance as the mothers experienced problems for several months after discharge, and felt they were missing out on breastfeeding guidance given to term babies in hospital.

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“…Parents of preterm infants often experience the unfamiliar environment, the medical equipment, and medical staff expertise as barriers to connection (Lundqvist, Westas, & Hallstrom, ). Preterm birth also has been associated with alteration in the parental role, and parents have reported feeling like an “observer,” as their parental role has been usurped by medical staff (Gibbs et al., ; Spinelli et al., ). Limited parental caregiving within the NICU often results in feelings of helplessness and disconnection from parental identity (Gibbs et al., ; Lindberg, Axelsson, & Ohrling, ) whereas an active parental role increases feelings of control and empowerment (Heinemann, Hellstrom‐Westas, & Nyqvist, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Weathering the storm:” Mothers’ and fathers’ experiences of parenting a preterm infant

O'Donovan

Nixon

2019

Infant Mental Health Journal

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Parenting preterm infants is a unique experience distinct from parenting full‐term infants, characterized by a delayed transition to parenthood and limited caregiving opportunities. This study explored mothers’ and fathers’ lived experiences of parenting during infancy in the context of preterm birth. Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with 13 parents (6 fathers, 7 mothers) of preterm infants. Data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four superordinate themes emerged: (a) An unnatural disaster: The traumatic nature of preterm birth, (b) The immediate aftermath: Disconnected and displaced, (c) Breaking the ice: Moving from frozen to melted, and (d) Aftershocks: Transitioning home. Both parents experienced preterm birth as traumatic. Similarities and differences in mothers’ and fathers’ experiences were identified. Preterm birth posed challenges for nurturant and social caregiving and resulted in anxiety, hypervigilance, and overprotective parenting behavior. The results highlight the need for trauma‐informed care and further research developing and testing empirically based interventions.

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‘I still have difficulties feeling like a mother’: The transition to motherhood of preterm infants mothers

Cited by 117 publications

References 30 publications

Room for improvement in breast milk feeding after very preterm birth in Europe: Results from the EPICE cohort

Room for improvement in breast milk feeding after very preterm birth in Europe: Results from the EPICE cohort

Mothers’ experiences after coming home from the hospital with a moderately to late preterm infant – a qualitative study

“Weathering the storm:” Mothers’ and fathers’ experiences of parenting a preterm infant

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