title: Parents' first moments with their very preterm babies: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess parents' first experiences of their very preterm babies and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative study using semistructured interviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  32 mothers and 7 fathers of very preterm babies (<32 weeks gestation).
  
  
  METHODS
  Three neonatal units in tertiary care hospitals in South East England.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five themes were identified. The first describes parents' blurred recall of the birth. The second shows the anticipation of seeing and touching their baby for the first time was characterised by contrasting emotions, with some parents feeling scared and others excited about the event. The third theme describes parents' first sight and touch of their babies and their 'rollercoaster' of emotions during this time. It also highlights the importance of touch to trigger and strengthen the parent-baby bond. However, some parents were worried that touching or holding the baby might transmit infection or interfere with care. The fourth theme captures parents' impressions of NICU and how overwhelming this was particularly for parents who had not toured NICU beforehand or whose first sight of their baby was on NICU. The final theme captures unique experiences of fathers, in particular that many felt excluded and confused about their role.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study informs family-centred care by providing insight into the experiences of parents of very preterm infants at a time when they are most in need of support. Clinical implications include the importance of offering parents preparatory tours of the NICU and including fathers.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, East Sussex, UK.
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sawyer
authors.forename: Heike
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rabe
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abbott
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gyte
authors.forename: Lelia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Duley
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ayers
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