Mothers treated in the same room as preterm newborns have less stress: Study

The results of the study are:

• A total of 296 mothers were included; 124 of 141 mothers (87.9%) in the FICare model and 115 of 155 (74.2%) mothers in SNC responded to questionnaires
• Mothers in the FICare model had lower total PSS-NICU stress scores at discharge than mothers in SNC, and specifically had lower scores for mother-newborn separation.
• Mothers in the FICare model were present more and participated more in neonatal care.
• Active parent participation was a significant mediator of the association between the FICare model and less maternal depression and anxiety, higher maternal self-efficacy, and better mother-newborn bonding.

Thus, the FICare model in our study was associated with less maternal stress at discharge; mothers were more present and participated more in the care for their newborns than in SNC, which was associated with improved maternal mental health outcomes. Future intervention strategies should aim at reducing mother-newborn separation and intensifying active parent participation in neonatal care.

Reference:

Association of a Zero-Separation Neonatal Care Model With Stress in Mothers of Preterm Infants by Nicole R. van Veenendaal, et al. published in the JAMA Netw Open

doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.4514

Keywords:

Mothers, treatment, same room, preterm, newborns, less, stress, Nicole R. van Veenendaal, Anne A. M. W. van Kempen, Birit F. P. Broekman, Femke de Groof, Henriette van Laerhoven, Maartje E. N. van den Heuvel, Judith J. M. Rijnhart, Johannes B. van Goudoever, Sophie R. D. van der Schoor, Zero-Separation, Association, JAMA Netw Open