title: Mothers' perceptions of family centred care in neonatal intensive care units.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore mothers' perceptions of family centred care (FCC) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in England.
  
  
  METHODS
  The qualitative experiences of 12 mothers from three NICUs in the UK were elicited using individual interviews. A thematic network analysis was conducted on the transcribed interviews
  
  
  METHODS
  A central global theme supported by a number of organizing themes were developed reflecting the views of the mothers and their experiences of FCC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A global theme of "Finding My Place" was identified, supported by six organizing themes: Mothering in Limbo; Deference to the Experts; Anxious Surveillance; Muted Relations, Power Struggles and Consistently Inconsistent. Mothers experienced a state of liminality and were acutely sensitive to power struggles, awkward relationships and inconsistencies in care. To try to maintain their equilibrium and protect their baby they formed deferential relationships with health professionals and remained in a state of anxious surveillance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study illustrates that despite the rhetoric around the practice of FCC in NICUs, there was little in the mother's narratives to support this. It is of the utmost importance to minimize the consequences of the liminal experience, to improve staff-mother interactions and to facilitate mothers' opportunities to be primary caregivers.
authors.affiliation: Research in Childbirth and Health Unit (ReaCH), School of Health, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK. Electronic address: kwfinlayson1@uclan.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Finlayson
authors.affiliation: Organisational Learning & Development, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Greater Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.affiliation: Maternal and Infant Nutrition and Nurture Unit (MAINN), School of Health, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Maternal and Infant Nutrition and Nurture Unit (MAINN), School of Health, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dykes
authors.affiliation: Maternal and Infant Nutrition and Nurture Unit (MAINN), School of Health, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK; School of Education, Health and Social Studies, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden.
authors.forename: Renee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Flacking
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers; D004739:England; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009035:Mothers; D010358:Patient Participation; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D010465:Perception; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011247:Pregnancy; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Family centred care; Infant; Mother; Neonatal intensive care units; Preterm birth; Qualitative research