Maternal stress experiences with neonatal intensive care unit admissions

Abstract Background Mother experiences variety of stressors related to premature birth, baby’s medical condition, unpleasant neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) environment and intuit liability the infant. Identifying factors that causes stress may be useful in assisting health personnel understanding their importance improving quality care. Objective study is assess levels mothers whose neonate admitted NICU as measured by Parental Stress Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS: NICU). Methods This prospective analytical was conducted a tertiary hospital over period 12 months after obtaining permission from institutional ethics committee. The self-administered questionnaire comprising questions on: sights sounds experienced NICU, looks behaviour, parental role relationship with her baby were collected. mean score standard deviation calculated for each component PSS: Scale scores are compared. Results Mothers having full term babies have more than those pre-term babies. As PSS-NICU scale highest 2.3 ± 0.57, 4.36 0.53, 4.43 0.58 obtained “The other sick room” Sight Sound, “Seeing my looking sick” Component Looks Behaviour, “Being separated baby” Role Relationship respectively. Conclusion Present summarises overall impact environmental affecting developing country also emphasises need further studies this area identification contribute maternal stress. It enable professionals facilitate mothers’ adaptation, thereby promoting optimal mother–infant relationships subsequent infant development.