title: New mothers' experiences of the urban environment with their preterm infants involve complex social, emotional and psychological processes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Studies have explored how mothers and premature babies make the transition from a neonatal unit (NNU) to home, but little is known about how mothers cope with urban life with a vulnerable baby. This controlled trial investigated how first-time mothers with singleton preterm babies handled that experience in the first few months after discharge from a NNU, compared to the first-time mothers of healthy, singleton term-born infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  This parent-led, qualitative study was carried out in London, UK, from 2013 to 2015 and used diaries and walking interviews with researchers. Thematic network analysis was performed to provide insights into the experiences of these 19 mothers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two groups had similar experiences and needs in the urban environment, and these common experiences of city life shaped their new identities as mothers. However, the mothers of preterm babies had difficulties developing supportive relationships and seeking affirming social environments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlights what the mothers of preterm babies experienced in the first few months after their infant was discharged from hospital. It stresses the need to understand the complexity of the mothers' social, emotional and psychological processes when they make the transition from home to visit the city with a vulnerable baby.
authors.affiliation: Centre for the Developing Brain, Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's Health Partners, St. Thomas' Hospital, King's College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gullino
authors.affiliation: Centre for the Developing Brain, Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's Health Partners, St. Thomas' Hospital, King's College London, London, UK.|Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.affiliation: Centre for the Developing Brain, Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's Health Partners, St. Thomas' Hospital, King's College London, London, UK.|Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Hammad
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Aisling
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.affiliation: Centre for the Developing Brain, Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's Health Partners, St. Thomas' Hospital, King's College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elwin
authors.affiliation: Centre for the Developing Brain, Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's Health Partners, St. Thomas' Hospital, King's College London, London, UK.|Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002947:Cities; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D012931:Social Environment
keywords: Motherhood; Preterm babies; Qualitative study; Transition; Urban environment