A survey of information given during pregnancy by midwives to parents about neonatal unit care, whether or not the baby was likely to require such care.
OBJECTIVE
To determine what information is given by midwives to parents in Scotland about care in a neonatal unit (a designated nursery offering special and/or intensive care to preterm and sick/vulnerable newborn babies), whether or not the baby is expected to require such care.


METHODS
A survey using self-completion questionnaires.


METHODS
The questionnaires were sent to identified senior midwives in community and hospital settings in Scotland.


METHODS
155 midwives, including 100 midwives involved in preparation for parenthood classes, 21 midwives responsible for hospital-based antenatal care, 17 midwives responsible for care in labour wards and 17 midwives responsible for care in neonatal units.


RESULTS
Information about care in a neonatal unit was offered by all groups surveyed to all parents with whom the midwives were in contact. Eight rural community midwives did not routinely give information. Midwives involved in preparation for parenthood classes offered specific information at a median gestation of 28 weeks. The midwives addressed most suggested topics. The most commonly included topics were why babies require neonatal care and what problems they may have. The least commonly included topic was the long-term problems the baby may have. Several methods of teaching were used, especially discussion and question and answer, with a visit to the neonatal unit a common strategy. Few midwives shared information using audio-visual methods.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of midwives sampled offered information prenatally about neonatal unit care, with many tailoring this to the womanís needs.


CONCLUSIONS
There should be consideration of the need to give information to all pregnant women and their partners, the most appropriate time for giving such information and the use of audio-visual teaching resources. The findings will inform further study of the extent to which such information meets the needs of parents.
Greig
C
C
Faculty of Health Studies, Napier University, Edinburgh.
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009721:Nurse Midwives; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012606:Scotland; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires