Holmström Saila & Huhtala Katariina. Holding the baby for the first time - experiences of parents with a premature infant in intensive care. Oulainen 2010. Oulu University of Applied Sciences. School of Health and Social Care. Bachelor’s Thesis, 43 pages + 6 appendices. Supervisors: Männistö Merja and Niemelä Eija.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of our Bachelor’s Thesis was to study the experiences that parents of a premature infant have on premature birth as well as on the provision of care and holding of their baby. The aim was to highlight the experiences of premature infants’ parents on early interaction and parenthood, i.e. the strengthening of the connection between premature infants and their parents.

The method of our study was qualitative analysis and the study material was gathered by conducting thematic interviews with parents of premature infants. The analysis method was inductive content analysis. We interviewed six parents, two fathers and four mothers, whose premature infants were looked after in the neonatal intensive care unit of the Oulu University Hospital.

According to the results of the study, the parents were in most cases allowed to provide care for their babies as they wished. Holding of the baby was perceived as the most important experience. When the parents held their babies for the first time, it gave rise to a number of feelings. The study also helped to define the importance of instruction and guidance to the provision of care. Negative experiences were due to long waiting times, lack of information and limited participation in the provision of care.

The results of our study may be applied in the care of premature infants to support and promote early interaction between a premature infant and a parent. On the basis of knowledge obtained from parents, it seems that it is possible to support interaction between premature infants and their parents and to encourage parents to engage in open interaction with their premature infant.

Keywords: premature birth, early interaction, holding, parenthood