KANGAROO CARE: MATERNAL PERCEPTION OF THE EXPERIENCE IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

• Published in: Revista brasileira em promoção da saúde = Brazilian journal in health promotion 2016-06, Vol.28 (3)
• Main Authors: Nunes, Natália Paz, Pessoa, Úrsula Maria Lima, Mont'Alverne, Daniela Gardano Bucharles, Sá, Fabiane Elpídio de, Carvalho, Elisete Mendes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Kangaroo-Mother Care Method; Método Canguru; Método Madre-Canguro; Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Newborn; Recién Nacido; Recém-Nascido; Unidades de Cuidado Intensivo Neonatal; Unidades de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal
• ISSN: 1806-1222

Objective: To investigate the maternal perception of the experience in the first phase of the Kangaroo Mother Care Method in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Methods: Descriptive, exploratory and qualitative study, conducted in the period from August to October 2014, with 10 mothers of newborn preterm (NP) infants, who were admitted to the Maternity School Assis Chateaubriand (MEAC) in Fortaleza, Brazil, and had received skin-to-skin contact through the Kangaroo Care Method during hospitalization in the NICU. Data was collected by semi-structured interview, directed by guiding questions. Content analysis was used for processing the data, being established four categories: "The bond and the attachment", "Maternal competence", "The fear of losing the baby" and "The importance of the multidisciplinary team". Results: The Kangaroo Care Method is a safe and pleasurable practice for mothers and relatives, in addition to providing social and psychoaffective benefits, found in the imagery of the method institutionalization and in the mothers' experience when properly supported. The meanings of the maternal feelings of apprehension as a result of the first physical contact with the hospitalized child can be evidenced. Regarding the evaluation of its clinical practice, this method has provided better development of the newborn infant and a reduction in hospital stay. Conclusion: The study shows relevance, since the evidence of the maternal perception of this method supports its establishment as a mandatory practice in maternity hospitals, in view of the benefits to the mother and the neonate. Objetivo: Conhecer a percepção materna acerca da vivência na primeira etapa do Método Canguru na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (UTIN). Métodos: Estudo descritivo, de caráter exploratório e de natureza qualitativa, realizado no período de agosto a outubro de 2014, com 10 mães de recém-nascidos pré-termo (RNPT) que se encontravam internados na Maternidade Escola Assis Chateaubriand (MEAC), Fortaleza-Brasil, e que haviam feito o contato pele a pele por meio do Método Canguru durante a internação na UTIN. Coletaramse os dados por entrevista semiestruturada, direcionados por questões norteadoras. Para tratamento dos dados, utilizou-se análise de conteúdo, sendo estabelecidas quatro categorias: "O vínculo e o apego", "A competência materna", "O medo da perda do bebê" e "A importância da equipe multidisciplinar". Resultados: O Método Canguru é uma prática segura e praz