Parenting in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) care
• Parental mental health
• Infant development

Background:

• Parental experiences in the NICU are complex and impactful.
• Understanding parental feelings is vital for infant well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe parental feelings and readiness during infant discharge.
• To identify parental needs while an infant is in the NICU.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving 30 in-depth interviews with 15 parents.
• Gadamerian-based research method used for data collection.
• Informed consent obtained from all participants.

Main Results:

• Six key themes emerged: trust, anxiety, bonding, fear of caregiving, readiness, and support needs.
• Parents reported conflicting emotions and fear of harming their infant.
• Readiness for discharge and specific support recommendations were identified.

Conclusions:

• Parents frequently experience anxiety and fear concerning their infant's vulnerability.
• Concerns about caregiving ability and the discharge process add significant stress.
• Addressing parental emotional needs is essential for successful NICU discharge.