Exploring the coping strategies of mothers with preterm babies admitted to a Neonatal Care Unit in one hospital in Cape Town

Abstract

Most pregnant women have uncomplicated pregnancies. In South Africa mothers with uncomplicated pregnancies are able to deliver at community-based health facilities called Midwife Obstetric Units. However, due to complications that occur during pregnancy, including preterm labour, some women deliver their babies in a secondary or tertiary hospital. During this time, the neonates have to be admitted to the neonatal care unit, which becomes stressful and challenging to their mothers. This is usually due to the daunting hospital environment, the different equipment used to care for their babies and the neonatal care unit routine. The aim of this research was to explore and describe the coping strategies and support needs of mothers with preterm babies admitted to a neonatal care unit in one hospital in Cape Town. This research adopted a qualitative research approach and an exploratory and descriptive design to elicit information from participants. A purposive sampling strategy was used for participant selection. The researcher and the trained data collector conducted one-toone interviews with the participant which took place in a private room.