parentalstress – JRM Nurse Consultants

For parents of premature babies, every moment in the NICU brings a mix of hope, fear, and overwhelming stress. Various studies have been conducted on the stress levels that parents of premature babies experience while their infants are in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). A qualitative study was conducted to explore this subpopulation, using semi-structured interviews with two mothers who experienced preterm labor. The mothers reported feelings of separation anxiety after delivering prematurely. They described a sense of a shattered dream, as their ideal scenario of an uncomplicated birth and taking their newborn home immediately was disrupted (Da Costa Krieger et al., 2014).

Numerous studies confirm that parents of premature babies experience high stress, making this a valuable population for ongoing research to identify supportive interventions. Using Spradley’s domain analysis, the study highlighted that mothers were stressed not only because their baby was in the NICU, but also because nurses sometimes made parents feel like visitors rather than primary caregivers (Heerman, Wilson, & Wilhelm, 2005).

These findings emphasize that, regardless of sample size, the common denominator remains: parents of premature babies endure significant stress. This stress is compounded at home due to family obligations, financial concerns, complex schedules, hospital visits, and caring for other children. The NICU itself adds another layer of anxiety, as parents worry about the survival and well-being of their infant.

Conclusion:
While the NICU journey can be overwhelming, parents are not alone. With compassionate healthcare teams, proper guidance, and ongoing support, families can gain confidence and find strength in caring for their premature babies. Every step, no matter how small, is a milestone worth celebrating, and creating a nurturing environment at home helps both parents and infants thrive.

References
Da Costa Krieger, D., Valeria de Oliveira, J., Bittencourt, V., Garcia Parker, A., Ambrosina de Oliveira Vargas, M., Regina de Luz, K., & Marin, S. (2014, August). Perception of Prematurity: A Case Study Aimed at Approaching Mothers. Journal of Nursing, 2754-2761.

Heerman, J. A., Wilson, M. E., & Wilhelm, P. A. (2005, May/June). Mothers in the NICU: Outsider to Partner. Pediatric Nursing, 31(3), 176-200.

Going home from the NICU can be one of the most stressful moments for parents of premature babies, especially without proper guidance. Families often face the challenge of caring for a baby who requires more attention than a full-term infant, and without a structured transition program, the stress can quickly become overwhelming.

The implications of current discharge practices are significant. Parents of premature babies may experience depression and anxiety due to the high level of responsibility and uncertainty. While in the NICU, families endure the emotional roller coaster of whether their baby will survive. Once the infant reaches a stable point, planning for home care begins. If the baby requires tube feedings, oxygen, a tracheostomy, or monitoring devices, major family adjustments are necessary. One parent may leave work to provide care, and missed home health visits can create unsafe situations, placing the primary caregiver under intense stress and extended hours of vigilance.

A multidisciplinary team—including nurses, doctors, occupational therapists, child life specialists, and nurse educators or consultants—should support families during this transition. The bedside nurse is particularly critical, as they develop the closest relationship with the family and understand the baby’s daily needs.

Parents benefit from clear, step-by-step instructions, demonstrations, and written reference materials that they can consult at home (Ronan et al., 2015). Current educational resources often use full-term infants, which does not realistically reflect the challenges of premature babies with medical complexities. Future research should include infants of varying gestational ages and medical conditions to better guide transition programs.

By implementing structured transition programs, NICUs can help reduce parental stress, promote family safety, and improve long-term outcomes for premature infants.

Reference:
Ronan, S., Liberatos, P., Weingarten, S., Wells, P., Garry, J., O’Brien, K., & Nevid, T. (2015, March/April). Neonatal Network, 34(2), 102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/0730-0832.34.2.102

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Tag Archives: parentalstress

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