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Beginning New Lives: Preterm Infant and Mothers Coping

Author Bios: Salima Akbar is a Master of Science in Nursing (MScN) graduate from Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery Karachi, Pakistan and working as Instructor at Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery Karachi, Pakistan. Afshan Akber is a student of Master of Science in Nursing (MScN) at Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery Karachi, Pakistan and working as Registered Nurse at Aga Khan University Hospital

Preterm births have tremendously increased the burden of neonatal deaths around the globe. Every year millions of infants are born preterm around the planet (2). Simultaneously, with an increase in the number of preterm births there is definite need for coping strategies of the mothers to be worked on. Preterm births supplement the development of depression and anxiety in mothers (3). This development of mental distress is an alarming sign that this area is of prime significance that needs to be taken into account immediately. This matter is considerable in the nursing profession as nurses would be able to classify the requirements of the mothers with preterm infants and would assist them in finding out the suitable coping strategies to deal with the difficult situation.

Coping Strategies

Preterm birth is accountable for major changes in mental wellbeing of the mother as it is associated with stress and anxiety. Effective coping strategies facilitate mothers to deal with stress and anxiety more efficiently. Coping strategies are a key feature that assists mothers to handle stress accompanied with the birth of the preterm (4). Preterm infants require neonatal intensive care units for the proper treatment and monitoring in the initial days. Yet this requirement poses stress on the physical wellbeing of infants and on the mental wellbeing of the mothers. The experience of the neonatal intensive care units feels like a roller coaster of feelings and emotions for the mothers. (5). The emotional feelings of being separated from the newborn brings unproductive coping in mothers and they become unable to provide care for their babies effectively. Mothers delivering preterm babies create a sense of failure and sorrow which ultimately affects the bond between mother and child (6). These statements are giving us a summary of the importance of coping strategies in uplifting mental wellness of the mother. Different coping strategies that can work for betterment of the preterm and their mothers include support from families, friends and caregivers who are taking care of mother and newborn. The role of nurses is to recognize the needs and concerns of family and involving them in the care of preterm (7). This will aid in boosting the coping of the mother by viewing family as the integral part in care of infants. On the other hand, these strategies will work better if the mother has support of her companion at the same time. This will enlighten stress to a great level by having the distress being diluted with the person available for support. These coping strategies lessen the level of stress and bring a sense of protection and control in mothers (7). These details are giving a clear picture of the importance of effective coping strategies in the betterment of both mother and preterm.

Nurses and Mothers of Preterm Infant

Successful coping strategies work better for mental wellbeing of mothers that ultimately uplifts the care being provided to the preterm. Nurses are an integral part of care and the most important aspect is that nurses could help mothers swim through difficult situations easily. If these areas are not being considered, this will ultimately augment burden at individual and at global level as well. This will hinder the nation in achieving the goals being set for betterment of the country. As a whole, this area needs attention so that a fruitful result for preterm, their mothers and for the whole nation comes out to be perfect.

References
  1. A new report says the US preterm birth rate rose to 10.5% last year. Rattanachat/Adobe Stock. (2022, November 15). google.com. https://edition.cnn.com/2022/11/15/health/preterm-birth-rate-march-of-dimes-who/index.html
  2. Hanif, A., Ashraf, T., Waheed, K., Sajid, M. R., Guler, N., & Pervaiz, M. K. (2017). Prevalence of preterm birth in Pakistan: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of King Edward Medical University23(2). doi:10.21649/akemu.v23i2.1615
  3. Roque, A. T., Lasiuk, G. C., Radünz, V., & Hegadoren, K. (2017). Scoping review of the mental health of parents of infants in the NICU. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing46(4), 576-587. doi:10.1016/j.jogn.2017.02.005
  4. Alinejad-Naeini, M., Peyrovi, H., & Shoghi, M. (2021). Self-reinforcement: Coping strategies of Iranian mothers with preterm neonate during maternal role attainment in NICU; A qualitative study. Midwifery101, 103052. doi:10.1016/j.midw.2021.103052
  5. Stacey, S., Osborn, M., & Salkovskis, P. (2015). Life is a rollercoaster…What helps parents cope with the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)? Journal of Neonatal Nursing21(4), 136-141. doi:10.1016/j.jnn.2015.04.006
  6. Ghorbani, M., Dolatian, M., Shams, J., Alavi-Majd, H., & Tavakolian, S. (2014). Factors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder and its coping styles in parents of preterm and full-term infants. Global Journal of Health Science6(3). doi:10.5539/gjhs.v6n3p65
  7. Gómez-Cantarino, S., García-Valdivieso, I., Moncunill-Martínez, E., Yáñez-Araque, B., & Ugarte Gurrutxaga, M. I. (2020). Developing a family-centered care model in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU): A new vision to manage healthcare. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health17(19), 7197. doi:10.3390/ijerph17197197
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