Rev. Soc. Bras. Enferm. Ped.2024;24:eSOBEP202420.
Mothers’ perception of the mother-child bond during hospitalization in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
DOI: 10.31508/1676-3793202420i
Abstract
Objective
To describe the perception of mothers of newborns hospitalized in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a public hospital in the city of São Paulo regarding the bond with their child.
Methods
This is a qualitative case study conducted through semi-structured interviews with 12 mothers of newborns hospitalized for at least 24 hours. Data were submitted to Bardin’s content analysis technique. National ethical precepts were respected.
Results
From data analysis, the following categories emerged: 1) The new real; 2) Deciphering motherhood; 3) The ideal world vs. the real world; 4) The experience of sharing; 5) Elucidating the bond. Mothers understand the bond with their child in a complex manner, with the phenomenon being directly influenced by factors intrinsic to each mother and other factors that are beyond her control.
Conclusion
The perception of bonding by mothers involves feelings and actions of a certain complexity; it depends on the context in which mothers and children are inserted, how the pregnancy process was, the understanding of each one, the change from the ideal to the real. Healthcare professionals are vital in this process, especially pediatric nurses and social workers.