Exploring the lived experiences of mothers of extremely preterm infants in the UK

The adverse impact of preterm birth on maternal mental health is well documented, yet there is limited available research regarding the subjective experiences of mothers of extremely preterm infants as a distinct cohort. The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of mothers of extremely preterm infants, born alive at less than 28 weeks gestation, in the UK. Three mothers of extremely preterm infants participated in a semi-structured interview conducted online, which invited them to share their experiences of pregnancy, their time in neonatal intensive care unit, the transition home and their present-day experiences. An interpretative phenomenological analysis explored a delayed transition to mothering and experiences relating to initial disconnection, missed moments and establishing a maternal connection. Owing to the traumatic experiences associated with an extremely preterm birth, it is concluded that mothers would benefit from health visitor support relating to attachment, mental health and connecting to parenting communities.