DEATH OF AN INFANT WEIGHING LESS THAN 500 GRAMS AT BIRTH: THE PARENTAL EXPERIENCE (INFANT DEATH, LOW BIRTHWEIGHT).
Contributors: University Of Illinois At Chicago, Health Sciences Center.
Published: 1991
Number of pages: 279
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Mental Health.
Description: Although the importance of providing support to families who experience a perinatal loss has been documented, the responses of parents experiencing the death of an infant weighing less than 500 grams at birth have not been examined. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of parents surrounding the death of a live-born infant weighing less than 500 grams at birth.

Five mothers and three fathers who had experienced the recent death (within two months) of a live-born infant weighing less than 500 grams at birth participated in the study. A total of 18 in-depth, open-ended, interviews were conducted approximately one month and two months after the loss. The interviews were tape-recorded, and transcribed onto computer files. Then, written transcriptions of the interviews were generated, and the data from the interviews were analyzed using a phenomenological approach.

Six common themes were identified from the data. The first theme, realization that the loss is occurring, was characterized by turmoil and considerable differences among parents. The second theme, initial response to the loss, was characterized by gender differences and pain and/or exhaustion. The third theme, decision making at the time of the loss, included personal and stressful decisions that had to be made by parents in the immediate post-birth period. The fourth theme, components of supportive relationships with others, included accepting the parent's feelings and behaviors, being there, sharing the experience, keeping the parent informed, providing competent care, and giving special attention. The fifth theme, making the adjustment at home, was characterized by gender differences, and included responding to the loss, relating to others, using coping behaviors, and assigning meaning to the loss. The sixth theme, the future, included a discussion of a subsequent child or pregnancy and related fears. These themes served as the basis for an exhaustive description of the parental experience, which was validated by the study participants.

The study findings can assist clinicians to provide sensitive, research-based interventions for families who experience the loss of an infant weighing less than 500 grams. Recommendations for subsequent research in this area are delineated.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 52-12, Section: B, page: 6317.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO, HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER, 1991.

School code: 0806.