Transitioning Into the Role of Mother Following the Birth of a Very Low-Birth-Weight Infant: A Grounded Theory Pilot Study

Preterm infants have underdeveloped organs.

“Despite meeting discharge criteria, preterm infants are often smaller than full‐term infants, with underdeveloped organs, and may experience challenges with feeding and basic care (Aydon et al. 2018; Bright et al. 2020; Larsson et al. 2017; Spence et al. 2023; Waldron 2022).”

Fathers' role is relegated to that of financial provider while their emotional needs are neglected.

“For fathers, resources and social support often center on the baby's mother, relegating their role to that of the financial provider while neglecting their emotional needs (Aydon et al. 2018; Bright et al. 2020; Griffin and Pickler 2011; Lundqvist et al. 2019; Veronez et al. 2017; Sun et al. 2023).”

Preterm infants may experience challenges with feeding and basic care.

“Despite meeting discharge criteria, preterm infants are often smaller than full‐term infants, with underdeveloped organs, and may experience challenges with feeding and basic care (Aydon et al. 2018; Bright et al. 2020; Larsson et al. 2017; Spence et al. 2023; Waldron 2022).”

Disconnection from social life underscores the importance of partner support during the transition.

“This disconnection from social life underscores the importance of partner support during the transition (Aydon et al. 2018; Bright et al. 2020; Griffin and Pickler 2011; Veronez et al. 2017).”

For fathers, resources and social support often center on the baby's mother.

“For fathers, resources and social support often center on the baby's mother, relegating their role to that of the financial provider while neglecting their emotional needs (Aydon et al. 2018; Bright et al. 2020; Griffin and Pickler 2011; Lundqvist et al. 2019; Veronez et al. 2017; Sun et al. 2023).”

Many parents reported a lack of confidence due to insufficient knowledge and skills in caring for their preterm infants at home.

“Many parents reported a lack of confidence due to insufficient knowledge and skills in caring for their preterm infants at home (Aydon et al. 2018; Breivold et al. 2019; Bright et al. 2020; Fairless et al. 2021; Griffin and Pickler 2011; Hua et al. 2021; Veronez et al. 2017).”

Social media serves as an important source of information for preterm care.

“Social media also serves as an important source of information for preterm care; however, the variability in content makes it challenging for parents to discern reliable information (Aydon et al. 2018; Bright et al. 2020; Fairless et al. 2021; Griffin and Pickler 2011; Veronez et al. 2017).”

Preterm infants are often smaller than full-term infants despite meeting discharge criteria.

“Despite meeting discharge criteria, preterm infants are often smaller than full‐term infants, with underdeveloped organs, and may experience challenges with feeding and basic care (Aydon et al. 2018; Bright et al. 2020; Larsson et al. 2017; Spence et al. 2023; Waldron 2022).”

Variability in social media content makes it challenging for parents to discern reliable information.

“Social media also serves as an important source of information for preterm care; however, the variability in content makes it challenging for parents to discern reliable information (Aydon et al. 2018; Bright et al. 2020; Fairless et al. 2021; Griffin and Pickler 2011; Veronez et al. 2017).”

Ongoing support from community general practitioners, nurses, and online resources was identified as valuable assets.

“Ongoing support from community general practitioners, nurses, and online resources was identified as valuable assets (Aydon et al. 2018; Bright et al. 2020; Hua et al. 2021; Larsson et al. 2017).”

Some parents noted issues related to communication with healthcare professionals, including inaccurate information transfer and information overload, which contributed to feelings of insecurity.

“However, some parents noted issues related to communication with healthcare professionals, including instances of inaccurate information transfer and information overload, which contributed to feelings of insecurity (Aydon et al. 2018; Bright et al. 2020; Spence et al. 2023; Toral‐López et al. 2016; Sun et al. 2023).”

Parents highlighted the potential for nurses to provide home care services, which would enhance their confidence in managing care of their preterm infants at home.

“Furthermore, parents highlighted the potential for nurses to provide home care services, which would enhance their confidence in managing the care of their preterm infants at home (Aydon et al. 2018; Bright et al. 2020; Griffin and Pickler 2011; Hua et al. 2021; Spence et al. 2023; Veronez et al. 2017).”

Growing competence enabled parents to regain control and take initiative in providing care, focusing on hygiene, daycare, and preventing cross-contamination.

“This growing competence enabled parents to regain control and take the initiative in providing care for their babies, focusing on hygiene, daycare, and preventing cross‐contamination (Aydon et al. 2018; Bright et al. 2020; Fairless et al. 2021; Griffin and Pickler 2011; Veronez et al. 2017).”