Coping strategies of mothers with preterm babies admitted in a public hospital in Cape Town.

Delphine A Sih,Million Bimerew,Regis R.M Modeste

doi:10.4102/curationis.v42i1.1872

Delphine A Sih, Million Bimerew + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4102/curationis.v42i1.1872

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Abstract

BackgroundMost pregnancies run a normal course, ending in a healthy mother–infant relationship, but sometimes, it can also be a life-threatening and stressful condition. The stress levels of mothers are more aggravated when they deliver preterm babies.ObjectivesTo explore the coping strategies of mothers of preterm babies with the stress of preterm delivery and subsequent admission of the preterm neonate to a neonatal care unit.MethodA qualitative research approach applying an exploratory and descriptive design was applied to explore the coping strategies of mothers with preterm babies admitted in a neonatal care unit. The study applied a purposive sampling technique to select mothers with preterm babies. The population for this study included women who delivered preterm babies and whose babies were admitted in the neonatal care unit at a public hospital in Cape Town. Semi-structured interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached, and 11 mothers with preterm babies in the selected public hospital participated in the study. Data were analysed manually using thematic content analysis with an inductive approach.ResultsResults were deductively interpreted and supported by the Brief COPE model. The main themes that emerged from data analysis included praying, attachment with baby and acceptance of the situation. Under praying the following subthemes emerged, namely praying for God’s strength, God’s grace, babies’ survival and thanksgiving to God for babies’ health and preferred gender. The theme of attachment with the baby emerged with the following subthemes: bonding with the baby and seeing the baby. The last theme that was acceptance of the situation emerged with the following subtheme: perseverance in the situation and mother’s awareness of her responsibility.ConclusionEven though the mothers of preterm babies cope differently after delivery, their coping abilities, which included praying, attachment to baby and acceptance of the situation, were greatly determined by the condition of their babies as well as the support they receive from significant others.

Highlights

Most pregnancies run a normal course, ending in a healthy mother–infant relationship, but sometimes, it can be a life-threatening and stressful condition
Even though the mothers of preterm babies cope differently after delivery, their coping abilities, which included praying, attachment to baby and acceptance of the situation, were greatly determined by the condition of their babies as well as the support they receive from significant others
The major themes that emerged revealed that mothers of preterm babies coped through praying, attachment to baby and acceptance of the situation

Summary

Introduction

Most pregnancies run a normal course, ending in a healthy mother–infant relationship, but sometimes, it can be a life-threatening and stressful condition. According to the studies conducted by Raju et al (2014) and Woodward et al (2014), survival of preterm babies often depend on important aspects related to the mother as well as the health system. Aspects, such as mother–baby bonding, mothers’ coping ability, availability of appropriate equipment for neonatal care and competent neonatal care personnel, have been mentioned to have supportive care to both mothers and their neonates throughout the period of admission (Hoffenkamp et al 2012; Lloyd & De Witt 2013; WHO 2012). It is important to note that non-effective coping http://www.curationis.org.za

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