Keywords

extremely low birth-weight (ELBW), interpretive phenomenology, mothering, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

 

Authors

  1. Schenk, Laura K. RN, PhD, CNNP

Article Content

PURPOSE: The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience of mothers of extremely low birth-weight infants (ELBW) who were born at or less than 900 g and usually at 27 weeks' gestation or earlier.

 

DESIGN: An interpretive phenomenological study.

 

SAMPLE/SETTING: Nine mothers of ELBW infants who were born at or less than 900 g and usually at 27 weeks' gestation or earlier; the mothers spoke English, were age 21 years old or older, and were invited to participate. Initial interviews were conducted on the eve of discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the mother-baby rooming-in room. Subsequent phone interviews were obtained a few months later.

 

METHOD: These mothers were given an in-depth audiotaped interview initially conducted on the eve of their child's discharge from the NICU. A subsequent phone interview was obtained some months after discharge to seek clarity of and agreement with the initial interview content.

 

RESULTS: The results of this study revealed 2 major themes ("being the mama" and "making connections") and the following minor themes: being worried and scared; exhaustion; obligations at home, including children and jobs; touching and holding the infant; admiration for the infant; mothering tasks; intuition and knowing the infant; financial and transportation concerns; gratefulness; accepting help from family and community; relationship with doctors and nurses; and prayer. The mothers clearly uncovered what it was like to experience the phenomenon of mothering an ELBW infant and gave insight into what was important to them in their effort to learn their role of being this kind of mother while maintaining their commitments. The mother-nurse relationship was uncovered, and these mothers told of what was important to them and was necessary for them to have to ease the way through their NICU experience. Surprisingly, these mothers spoke of being jealous of the nurses, in that they were prevented from touching their babies at first while the nurses could touch. These mothers unveiled the importance of making connections to facilitate their journey. One important connection revealed was their need for prayer and the maintenance of their spiritual self. Other connections valued were between family, community, and physicians. Through all of their trials in the NICU, these mothers never gave up "being the mama" and "making connections."

 

CONCLUSIONS: A model of this mothering experience was developed to provide clarity of what was essential in the lives of these mothers. This study clearly defines what these mothers hold important during this journey, such as their relationship with their infant and what it took to maintain that relationship.

 

Section Description

 

These abstracts were presented at the First Annual NANN Research Summit held in March 2006 in Scottsdale, Arizona.