Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Isolation of Neonatal Extrahepatic Cholangiocytes
Published on: June 5, 2014
Maternal experience with neonatal jaundice
Margaret Brethauer1, Lynn Carey
1ProHealth Care Center for Learning and Innovation, Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA. Margaret.Brethauer@phci.org.
Purpose:
To describe the lived experience of mothers having an infant with neonatal jaundice.
Study Design And Methods:
A descriptive phenomenological design with 6 mothers who had infants with neonatal jaundice. Streubert's method of phenomenology guided the collection, organization, and analysis of data to abstract themes.
Results:
Eight major themes emerged relating to the lived experience: (1) physical and emotional exhaustion, (2) feeling robbed, (3) distressed by infant's physical appearance, (4) loss of control, (5) maternal vigilance, (6) feeling discounted but only for so long, (7) family impact, and (8) supportive environment. Three major themes emerged relating to the mother's educational experience: (1) everyone has a different opinion, and therefore no one really knows for sure; (2) feeling defensive and at fault; and (3) knowing now what I would do differently if I had another baby. Mothers reported receiving infant care advice contrary to guidelines from multiple healthcare providers.
Clinical Implications:
In this study the physical, emotional, and learning needs of the mothers were rarely met. Nurses are the healthcare professionals who have the most contact with new mothers, and therefore must remain current with the evidence for appropriate care. Much needs to be done to help mothers who have infants with neonatal jaundice. Additional studies about how nurses and other healthcare providers interact with families facing this problem are warranted.
Related Concept Videos
Jaundice
Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
Transcytosis of IgG
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...
Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
Parental Care