Premature birth: subjective and psychological experiences in the first weeks following childbirth, a mixed-methods study

Goutaudier, Nelly; Lopez, Améliane; Séjourné, Natalène; Denis, Anne; Chabrol, Henri

doi:10.1080/02646838.2011.623227

Cited by 49 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…This hospitalization of newborns immediately after birth is a difficult and anxiogenic situation for mothers [46,47]. The length of their stay in a hospital unit, which reflects the seriousness of their state of health, would give rise to periods of doubt as to the evolution of prematurity, disappointment with the announcement of possible complications [48] and difficulty in the development of the first links [49].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perinatal Dissociation and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder among Mothers of Preterm Infants: A Comparative Study

Ellouze¹,

Aloulou²,

Halouani³

et al. 2017

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Preterm delivery is a particularly challenging experience that can be experienced by mothers as a traumatic event, causing dissociative reactions and authentic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this work, we proposed to study the prevalence of perinatal dissociation and PTSD in mothers of preterm babies compared to a control group of mothers of term babies and to identify factors that may contribute to the occurrence of perinatal dissociation and PTSD following premature childbirth. We conducted a cross-sectional and comparative study, including 97 mothers of premature babies and 80 controls. We used the Perinatal Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Questionnaire to screen for PTSD, the peri-traumatic dissociation questionnaire to measure the level of perinatal dissociation, and the Perinatal Risk Inventory to assess perinatal risk. Compared to mothers of term infants, mothers of preterm infants had significantly higher rates of peri-traumatic dissociation and PTSD. Our results are consistent with previous studies, and add additional credit to the traumatic nature of preterm delivery. Setting up specific support modalities seems essential in the case of premature births in order to ensure a better quality of mother-child interactions and optimal development of the child.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perinatal Dissociation and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder among Mothers of Preterm Infants: A Comparative Study

Ellouze¹,

Aloulou²,

Halouani³

et al. 2017

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“…[14][15][16] Themes emerging from qualitative research include the ambiguity of feeling both joy and grief, 17 comparisons made between preterm birth and the 'normal' full-term experience that mothers were denied, 18 19 and references to the cold and frightening atmosphere of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). 20 Few studies have examined fathers' experiences of preterm birth. One exception is a Swedish study 21 which found fathers reported three distinct experiences: (1) suddenness of the preterm birth and feeling unprepared to be a father;…”

Section: Strengths and Limitations Of This Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2013

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ObjectivesTo assess parents’ first experiences of their very preterm babies and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).DesignQualitative study using semistructured interviews.Participants32 mothers and 7 fathers of very preterm babies (<32 weeks gestation).SettingThree neonatal units in tertiary care hospitals in South East England.ResultsFive 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–baby bond. However, some parents were worried that touching or holding the baby might transmit infection or interfere with care. The fourth theme captures parents’ impressions of NICU and how overwhelming this was particularly for parents who had not toured NICU beforehand or whose first sight of their baby was on NICU. The final theme captures unique experiences of fathers, in particular that many felt excluded and confused about their role.ConclusionsThis study informs family-centred care by providing insight into the experiences of parents of very preterm infants at a time when they are most in need of support. Clinical implications include the importance of offering parents preparatory tours of the NICU and including fathers.

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“…Results of neonatal parenthood studies continue to highlight the intensity of feelings that parents experience following preterm birth (Obeidat, Bond, & Clark Callister, ). These experiences can have long‐lasting social and health implications (Goutaudier, Lopez, Séjourné, Denis, & Chabrol, ; Treyvaud et al., ). However, in the past neonatal parenthood researchers infrequently reported fathers’ perspectives.…”

Section: Emotion Workmentioning

confidence: 99%