# “I was so worried”: Experiences of parents whose infants were admitted to a neonatal care unit

## TL;DR

Parents of infants in neonatal units experience significant stress due to emotional, financial, and environmental challenges, but support and communication can help reduce this stress.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific sources and moderators of parental stress in neonatal care units using a qualitative phenomenological approach.

## Key findings

- Parents faced stress from infant survival fears, disrupted domestic duties, and financial challenges.
- Environmental factors like unfamiliar spaces and restrictive practices in neonatal units added to parental stress.
- Positive communication with healthcare providers and infant improvement helped reduce stress.

## Abstract

Parents of infants admitted to a neonatal unit tend to experience emotional stress following admission of their infants in a neonatal unit. The study aimed to explore the experiences of parents whose infants were admitted to a neonatal care unit. We conducted a qualitative study based on strategies of the phenomenological method of inquiry. Participants were recruited at discharge at the neonatal unit. We obtained ethical clearance from the relevant authorities and analysed the data using Braun and Clarke’s thematic framework. We interviewed ten parents (nine mothers and one father). Two themes were identified from the study: 1) sources of parental stress and 2) moderators of parental stress. Parents experienced emotional stress from fears related to the survival chances of their infants, disrupted domestic, economic duties, and challenges meeting the unexpected expenses during hospital admission. Admission to the neonatal unit was perceived to be stressful for parents due to the unfamiliar experience in the neonatal unit, challenges of space, inadequate social amenities, heat from the machines, and restrictive infection and prevention practices. Positive interaction and communication with the healthcare providers, improvement in the infant’s condition, and the ability to adapt and adjust were perceived to moderate parental stress. Parents of infants admitted to a neonatal unit experienced stress for different reasons. Prioritising the psychosocial needs of parents through the development of family-centered care models and support programs is critical in improving the experiences of parents of infants admitted to neonatal units.