Adaptação materna ao cuidado à criança prematura durante o primeiro mês após a alta hospitalar

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the advances in neonatology, prematurity still has a major impact on healthcare. A lower gestational age at birth is linked to a higher probability of morbidity and mortality in the first year of life. The transition of a child with complications of prematurity from the hospital to home requires specific care that leads to changes in the family routine, work and social life. Caring for the premature infant requires greater attention from its caregiver, which can cause difficulties in the family functioning. The literature shows that early identification of resources can help the family to adapt to the situation of caring for a premature child at home. Objective: To analyze the adaptation process of families to take care of premature infants at home. Methodology: This is a qualitative descriptive-exploratory study, guided by the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation by M. Mccubbin and H. Mccubbin (1993). The research setting was the domicile of children discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a public non-governmental hospital in the city of Belo Horizonte. Twenty-two mothers of premature newborns participated in the study. We collected data through semi-structured interviews based on the theoretical framework from September / 2018 to November / 2019. To analyze the data, we used direct content analysis, supported by the MAXQDA© software, version 20.2.1. Five categories of analysis were constructed, based on the theoretical framework: (1) family appraisal of the premature infant care; (2) family vulnerabilities; (3) family demands inherent in the stressful event; (4) resources used by the family; (5) problem solving and family coping. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), CAAE number: 37059020300005149. Results: The mothers' evaluation of the childcare at home was positive, but it was also marked by an ambiguity of feelings. The way the mother assesses the situation of caring for her premature infant was related to the difficulties experienced in the current and past period with the child, and especially in the challenge of developing maternal competence. The following vulnerabilities contributed to increase tension: conflicts between family members, precarious socioeconomic conditions, illness of a family member and precarious housing situation. The excessive demand for care was a factor of maternal overload, especially for women who had fewer resources. Faith in God, and support from the family and from health professionals were the resources used by the participants to take care of the child at home. Conclusion: The present study enabled a greater understanding of how mothers deal with the care of premature newborns during the first month at home. The findings indicate that, despite experiencing a potentially stressful event, families have demonstrated the ability to adapt. Thus, the knowledge derived from this study can increase possibilities of intervention by the care team regarding the adaptation process of home care for premature infants, which can lead families to a good adaptation.