Affectivity in mothers of hospitalized premature babies: an unknown world

Abstract

Introduction: Prematurity distorts the normal expectations of parents in relation to the birth of their child.

Objectives: to describe the emotions, feelings and knowledge of the parents towards their premature baby during their hospitalization.

Patients and methods: Using an open, voluntary personalized and anonymous questionnaire the objectives were measured.

Results: Between 1998 and 1999, 40 mothers were interviewed, 25% were primigravid and 60% under 30 years. Average birth weight was 1068 + 353gm, with 29 + 0.8 weeks of gestation. Memories of labour provoked anguish, anger and frustration in 77%, including longer than 4 weeks afterwards. Hospitalization generated fear, especially in regards to death, but in time the mothers became optimistic and happy although with uncertainty about the future of their children (80%). The most rewarding experience was to be able to participate actively in the care of their children (79%).

Conclusions: Knowing the emotional burden of these mothers imposes the task of designing and applying strategies of parental support, e.g. promote the participation of in the care of their baby in order to diminish feelings of guilt and pain, to improve self-esteem and to enjoy motherhood.