Women’s Experience of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: This article discusses the experiences of women who have had babies at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the greater Accra region of Ghana. Methods: A primary data collection samples are women who had babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in some selected hospitals in Ghana. Primary data from a qualitative research methodology samples women. Aim: The study creates awareness of the challenges women go through that when they have babies they go through the intensive care phase. It highlights the need for social and the study looks at the women’s experience within the context of NICU in one of the hospitals in Ghana. Even though the results cannot be generalized, the result can help and encourage women in similar situations to find strength from the experiences of the interviewed women, draw strength from their shared stories and apply some of their techniques to enable them to go through their experience. Results: Social and psychological support helps the women to go through the NICU period. Conclusion: Anxiety, uncertainty and powerlessness are some of the negative effects to a mother of an infant in the NICU experiences. This situation can improve with the right kind of socio-psychological support. Access to information, guidance and practical support can help mothers go through the NICU and healing phase with their babies.