Posted: November 21st, 2023

The Role of Nursing Staff in Supporting Mothers of Neonatal Incubation Patients

The Role of Nursing Staff in Supporting Mothers of Neonatal Incubation Patients

Nursing staff play a vital role in supporting mothers of neonatal incubation patients, who face complex challenges and stressors during the hospitalization of their newborns. This blog post aims to explore the importance of nursing staff support for these mothers, the types of support they need and provide, and the barriers and facilitators for effective support.

Why is nursing staff support important for mothers of neonatal incubation patients?

Mothers of neonatal incubation patients have to cope with the emotional and physical impact of preterm birth and subsequent hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). They may experience anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, grief, guilt, and helplessness [1]. They may also struggle with bonding and attachment with their newborns, who may have an altered appearance and behavior due to medical interventions [2]. They may feel unable to perform their parental roles and responsibilities, such as feeding, holding, and caring for their newborns [3].

Nursing staff support can help these mothers to overcome these challenges and improve their mental health and well-being. Nursing staff support can also enhance the mother-newborn relationship, which is crucial for the development and survival of the newborn [4]. Nursing staff support can also empower these mothers to participate in the care of their newborns and make informed decisions about their treatment [5].

What types of support do nursing staff provide for mothers of neonatal incubation patients?

Nursing staff can provide different types of support for mothers of neonatal incubation patients, such as:

– Emotional support: Nursing staff can provide empathy, compassion, reassurance, encouragement, and listening to these mothers. They can also help them to cope with their feelings and emotions, and to express them in healthy ways [6].
– Informational support: Nursing staff can provide accurate, timely, and comprehensive information about the condition, treatment, and prognosis of the newborn. They can also explain the procedures, equipment, and routines in the NICU. They can also educate these mothers about breastfeeding, kangaroo care, skin-to-skin contact, and other ways to interact with their newborns [7].
– Practical support: Nursing staff can assist these mothers with the physical care of their newborns, such as feeding, changing diapers, bathing, and dressing. They can also help them with the logistics of visiting the NICU, such as transportation, parking, accommodation, and childcare for other children [8].
– Advocacy support: Nursing staff can act as advocates for these mothers and their newborns. They can facilitate communication and collaboration with other health care professionals. They can also respect and protect the rights and preferences of these mothers and their newborns [9].

What are the barriers and facilitators for nursing staff support for mothers of neonatal incubation patients?

Nursing staff may face various barriers and facilitators for providing effective support for mothers of neonatal incubation patients. Some of the barriers are:

– Workload: Nursing staff may have a high workload due to the high acuity and complexity of neonatal incubation patients. They may have limited time and resources to provide adequate support for these mothers [10].
– Training: Nursing staff may lack adequate training and education on how to provide effective support for these mothers. They may not have sufficient knowledge and skills on how to assess their needs, communicate with them, and address their concerns [11].
– Culture: Nursing staff may encounter cultural differences or conflicts with these mothers. They may have different beliefs, values, expectations, or practices regarding neonatal care. They may also face language barriers or discrimination [12].

Some of the facilitators are:

– Teamwork: Nursing staff can work as a team with other health care professionals to provide holistic and coordinated support for these mothers. They can share information, expertise, and responsibilities. They can also consult and refer to specialists when needed [13].
– Policy: Nursing staff can follow evidence-based policies and guidelines on how to provide effective support for these mothers. They can also advocate for changes in policies that may hinder or limit their support [14].
– Feedback: Nursing staff can seek feedback from these mothers on how to improve their support. They can also evaluate their own performance and identify areas for improvement [15].

Conclusion

Nursing staff play a vital role in supporting mothers of neonatal incubation patients. They can provide emotional, informational, practical, and advocacy support for these mothers. However, they may face various barriers and facilitators for providing effective support. Therefore, nursing staff need to be aware of the needs and challenges of these mothers, and use evidence-based strategies to overcome the barriers and leverage the facilitators.

References

[1] Negarandeh, R., Hassankhani, H., Jabraeili, M., Abbaszadeh, M., & Best, A. (2021). Health care staff support for mothers in NICU: a focused ethnography study. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 21(1), 520. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03991-3
[2] Miles, M. S., Funk, S. G., & Carlson, J. (1993). Parental stressor scale: neonatal intensive care unit. Nursing research, 42(3), 148-152.
[3] Aagaard, H., & Hall, E. O. (2008). Mothers’ experiences of having a preterm infant in the neonatal care unit: a meta-synthesis. Journal of pediatric nursing, 23(3), e26-e36.
[4] UNICEF. (2016). The role of midwives and nurses in protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/343555/9789240032309-eng.pdf
[5] Kearvell, H., & Grant, J. (2010). Getting connected: How nurses can support mother/infant attachment in the neonatal intensive care unit. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 27(3), 75-82.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Negarandeh et al. (2021).
[11] Kearvell & Grant (2010).
[12] Ibid.
[13] Negarandeh et al. (2021).
[14] UNICEF (2016).
[15] Kearvell & Grant (2010).

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