Parenting in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Qualitative Study

BackgroundThis qualitative study is aimed at describing parental feelings, their readiness during discharge, and their needs while their infant is in the neonatal intensive care unit.MethodsThe study was conducted with the parents of infants being monitored in a neonatal intensive care unit. A total of 30 in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 parents. This qualitative study was carried out using the Gadamerian-based research method. After parents were informed about the study, written and verbal consent was obtained from them.ResultsThe content analysis of the interview data resulted in six themes: 'sense of trust and cocoon effect, anxiety and conflicting emotions, parent-infant bonding and breastfeeding, fear of providing care, readiness/unreadiness and support needs and recommendations'.ConclusionParents often feel anxious and fearful about harming their vulnerable infants, with added stress surrounding their ability to provide care and the discharge process.