From hospital to home: Mothers' experiences of postpartum and post-discharge care for preterm infants- A phenomenological study based on the transition model

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the study is to understand and describe the experiences of mothers with late preterm infants in infant care after birth and discharge based on the “Transition Model”.

Design and methods

This study used a descriptive phenomenological design. The research data were collected through a semi-structured interview form via home visit by face-to-face interview method.

Results

The study included twenty-one mothers with late preterm infants. As a result of the content analysis, the main themes and sub-themes of our research, which are based on five main themes in the Transition Model, are informational needs, stress and coping, grief, social interaction, parent-child role development. Mothers produced metaphors for preterm birth as unripe fruit, being in the middle of the sea/ocean, being deceived, hopelessness, untimely rising sun, nightmare, making pickles/olives, impatient toy, perseverance/struggle, falling into the void, thumbing child, and surprise egg.

Conclusions

Mothers with late preterm infants stated that they did not get adequate education in the hospital and lack knowledge about baby care. They may feel stress, anxiety, and burnout while struggling to understand their baby's needs. Mothers who expected nurse support after discharge described the process as an uncertain experience full of difficulties and distancing themselves from their social circles.

Practice implications

Individualized education and psychosocial support should be provided to mothers during the discharge process of preterm infants, and parents' participation in care processes should be encouraged. By increasing post-discharge counseling and home visit services, nurses should guide mothers' infant care skills and stress management.