Parent Experiences in the NICU and Transition to Home

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Parental Mental Health
• Family Studies

Background:

• Infants born before 29 weeks gestation require intensive care, often leading to prolonged Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) stays.
• Parental experiences during NICU admission and home transition are critical for infant well-being and family adjustment.
• The COVID-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented challenges to healthcare delivery and family support systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of families with infants born prematurely (<29 weeks gestation) during NICU stays and home transitions.
• To identify parental challenges, coping mechanisms, and support needs within the NICU and post-discharge.
• To understand the specific impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these families' experiences.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative interviews were conducted with 12 families of infants born at <29 weeks gestation.
• Interviews occurred 6-8 weeks after NICU discharge, capturing experiences during and potentially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes in parental experiences.

Main Results:

• NICU experiences were marked by parent-infant separation, social isolation, communication barriers, and mental health concerns.
• Transition to home was characterized by abruptness, discharge anxiety, and loss of nursing support.
• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced emotional, informational, and physical support, limiting peer connections.

Conclusions:

• Parents of very preterm infants face numerous stressors, highlighting the critical need for integrated parental mental health support.
• NICU staff should address logistical barriers and family priorities to improve communication and parent-infant bonding.
• Facilitating communication, care participation, and peer connections are vital support strategies for these families.