Background
A premature neonate is defined as any neonate born at less than 37 weeks of gestation. In Saudi Arabia in 2010, 35.700 preterm births occurred. Neonatal Intensive-Care Units (NICU), specialize in the care of premature neonates. However, this leads to early separation of babies from their mothers and negative effects on mother/infant bonding. In addition, mothers' consoling maneuvers, have been found to be powerful in soothing premature neonates and improve mothers/infants bonding.
Aims
The current study aims toexamine the power of mothers' consoling maneuverson the physiological and behavioral stability of the premature neonates and, to explore the effect of mother involvement in caring for premature neonates on mothers–infants bonding.
Study design
Quasi Experimental Research Design.
Settings
The study was conducted at NICUs affiliated to Maternity and Children Hospital and Hera General Hospital at Makkah Almukaramah.
Subjects
Apurposive sample composed of 120 premature neonates and their mothers. They were recruited according to specific inclusive and exclusive criteria. They were classified blindly into study and control groups.
Tools
Two tools were utilized, First a structured Questionnaire Sheet: to assess mothers & premature neonates' demographic data, mothers-infant bonding and mothers' anxiety. Second, an observation checklist: to assess premature physiological and behavioral changes.
Results
The majority of the mothers in the study group reported feeling close to their babies and enjoyed consoling their premature neonates. There were statistical significant differences between the study and control group regarding the mean of physiological and behavioral stability during and after mothers' consoling maneuvers.
Conclusion
The current study concluded that, mothers' consoling maneuvers have positive effects on preterm physiological and behavioral changes. Mothers-infant bonding was emphasized in the intervention group.
Recommendations
Establish a policy for promoting opportunities for for mothers' consoling maneuversand developing an educational program for nurses regarding developmental care and mothers' consoling maneuvers.