"Always a Preemie": Maternal Experiences Parenting a Very Preterm Infant into Toddlerhood. Issue 2 (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Quist, Megan; Julian, Megan M.; Meerkov, Meera; Pesch, Megan H.
• Is Part Of: Journal of neonatology. Volume 36:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 113
• Page End: 124
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Infants and toddlers -- neonatal and infant nursing -- neonatology/perinatology -- parenting -- post-traumatic stress disorder -- counseling; Neonatology -- Periodicals; Neonatology -- India -- Periodicals; 618.9201
• DOI: 10.1177/09732179221100452
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0973-2179

Abstract

This study sought to qualitatively describe themes in maternal narratives around parenting a former very or extremely preterm infant from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) into toddlerhood. Mothers (N = 14) of preterm infants ≤28 weeks gestation, now aged 2 to 4 years, completed a semi-structured interview; transcripts were qualitatively analyzed. Five themes of mothers' experiences were identified: (a) anxiety and trauma related to birth and NICU stay; (b) the importance of clear communication with medical providers; (c) mothers' need for and difficulty accessing self-care opportunities or services; (d) challenges of transitioning home; and (e) mothers, continued view of their toddlers as vulnerable and "always a preemie." Most (11/14) mothers reported depressive symptoms in the clinically significant range. Results of this study highlight the potential hardships and lasting maternal mental health effects of raising a former very or extremely preterm infant, and the need for supports in the NICU, at discharge and longitudinally.