Maternal perceptions of the preterm infant

Abstract

It has long been realized that preterm birth precipitates a series of adjustments for the mother. She may have to learn how the needs and growth patterns of the preterm infant differ significantly from her preconceived notions of the “fullterm” child. This study examined Maternal perceptions of their low birthweight infants, the neonatal hospital environment and attitudes toward general parenting during the perinatal period. The sample population consisted of thirty mothers whose infants fell into low birthweight (1501‐2000 grams) and very low birthweight (1500‐1000 grams) categories. Interviews and observations were conducted one week and then again at one month after the infant had made the transition from hospital to home, in order that data could be collected at the two points in time and changes in maternal perceptions over time could be assessed. Specific psychosocial and medical variables were chosen and tested for their potential to contribute to maternal perceptions and attitudes during the study. These variables were: Maternal age. Smoking. Drinking, Ordinal position in the family, Socioeconomic status. Maternal health problems. Gestation, Length of infant hospitalization and Birthtype. Although analysis of data at Time One and Time Two showed no psychosocial or medical variables significantly contributing to maternal perceptions of the infant, the variables Maternal age and Socioeconomic status were associated with maternal perceptions of the neonatal hospital environment. When change in perceptions over time were assessed, mothers suggested that the medical variables Birthtype, Gestation and Maternal health problems and the psychosocial variables Maternal smoking and Length of infant hospitalization contributed significantly to the way they responded to the infant and birth experience. In the area of general parenting also, analyses revealed that the psychosocial variables Ordinal Position in the family appeared to influence variations in maternal attitudes.