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. 2022 Jul;111(7):1324-1330.
doi: 10.1111/apa.16361. Epub 2022 Apr 22.

Getting a grip in the middle of chaos: Preparing for preterm parenthood during a high-risk pregnancy - Parental experiences and needs

Kiki Ruhe  1 , Agnes van den Hoogen  2 , Tinka Bröring-Starre  3 , Joke M Wielenga  4 , Mirjam M van Weissenbruch  1   5
Affiliations

Getting a grip in the middle of chaos: Preparing for preterm parenthood during a high-risk pregnancy - Parental experiences and needs

Kiki Ruhe et al. Acta Paediatr. 2022 Jul.

Abstract

Aim: Admitting an infant to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is stressful for parents. A great source of stress is the loss of their desired parental role. This study explores parents' experiences and needs during a high-risk pregnancy in preparation for their role as parents of a preterm infant.

Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted among parents with a preterm infant admitted to two level-III NICUs in the Netherlands. A thematic analysis was performed.

Results: Nineteen interviews were conducted with parents of preterm infants (26-34 weeks gestational age). Getting a grip in the middle of chaos was identified as the central theme. In the pre-admission phase, coping with potential preterm parenthood was a theme, with coping strategies as subthemes that changed over time from avoidance to being ready to parent a preterm infant. The theme envisioning the NICU emerged in the NICU admission phase, with subthemes preterm care journey and opportunities for involvement fostering parental empowerment.

Conclusion: Timing and content of information about a parental role in the NICU should be tailored to the individual expectant parent. A customisable intervention bundle may provide a vision of the NICU and the parents' active role in care.

Keywords: neonatal intensive care units; parents; premature birth; preparation; qualitative research.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
The themes regarding parents’ experiences and needs in preparation for their role as parents of a preterm infant in a NICU. Based on the two first phases of Healthcare Trajectory NICU by Rouck
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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