Suspended mothering: women's experiences mothering an infant with a genetic anomaly identified at birth.
OBJECTIVE
To develop an understanding of the experiences of women who give birth to an infant with a genetic anomaly not identified during the prenatal period.


METHODS
Exploratory design using selected qualitative methods.


METHODS
Seven mothers of liveborn infants with a genetic anomaly characterized by physical attributes evident at birth.


METHODS
Mother's expressions of suspended mothering.


RESULTS
Two themes emerged that characterize the experience of suspended mothering: diminished maternal role and false protection. PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS: Facilitating maternal involvement in decision making requires giving women unbiased information in a supportive manner.
Raines
D A
DA
Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Nursing, Richmond 23298-0567, USA. DARAINES@vcu.edu
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000523:psychology; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D017283:Neonatal Nursing; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires