Parents' lived-experience with the admission of their newborn into a newborn intensive care unit: a phenomenological study/

The purpose of this research was to determine the meaning of the experience of being parents of a newborn admitted to the NICU. A phenomenological design was used to study experiences of parents following admission of their newborns into 1 of 2 Level III Newborn Intensive Care Units (NICU) located along the Wasatch Front area of Utah. Unstructured, audio-taped interviews were conducted and analyzed to identify common meanings and themes. The analysis revealed an overarching theme of 'stress,' and four subthemes: 'Issues of trust;' 'Family roles and relationships;' 'Parental role and authority;' and 'Parent-nurse relationships in the NICU.' The characteristics of the overarching theme of 'stress' included constant worry and uncertainty; painful inability to relieve baby's suffering; a sense of isolation from baby; physical and emotional exhaustion; perceived inconsistencies; and a sense of guilt and self-blame. 'Issues of trust' were polarized between trust-reenforced and trust-breached. Parents entered the NICU with trust in the professionals caring for their fragile newborn. Maintenance of this parental trust was dependent upon the perceived competence and commitment demonstrated by the professionals caring for their newborn. 'Family roles and relationships' described the parents' experience as they strived to meet the needs of their older children; fulfill the demands of their pre-existing roles and responsibilities; and cope with the perceived emotional and physical needs of their spouse. 'Parental role and authority' described the parental need and expectation to contribute and participate in the care of their newborn child. The nature of this parental participation involved frequent, nurse-supported opportunities to meet the physical needs of their child; as well as opportunities to participate in decisions surrounding their child's care. 'Parent-nurse relationships' described the significance of feeling welcome and accepted by the NICU nurses, as well as the challenge of working with the various personalities within the NICU environment. The findings of this study have provided added insight into the needs and concerns of parents in the NICU. These insights can provide the NICU nurse, as well as other care givers in the NICU, the understanding needed to provide sensitive and caring psycho-social support to NICU parents.