Forces interfering in the mothering process in a neonatal intensive therapy unit

Abstract

Objective: to identify the driving and restrictive forces involved in the maternity process for newborns hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit. Method: descriptive and exploratory research, with a qualitative approach, which uses the Force Field Theory as a reference. Ten mothers participated. Data were collected from September to December 2014, through a semi-structured interview, and submitted to content analysis. Results: effective communication, inclusion of the family in care, teamwork, learning and adequate physical space served as forces that fostered mothering. Authoritative behaviors, stigmas related to the neonatal intensive care unit, lack of specialized care, failure to perform care for the newborn, physical fatigue, emotional stress and changes in the daily routine acted as forces that restricted the mothering process. Conclusion: identifying the field of forces made it possible to understand factors and situations that influence mothering and to diagnose the true biopsychosocial demands of mothers of hospitalized newborns.