A theoretical model of parents' experiences of threat of preterm birth in Sweden.

OBJECTIVE

to gain a deeper understanding of both parents' experiences during the mother's stay in hospital for threat of an early delivery and eventual preterm birth.

DESIGN

explanatory design with separate interviews for mothers and fathers using the grounded theory method.

SETTING

University Hospital in southern Sweden.

PARTICIPANTS

17 mothers and six fathers, who had experienced a threat of early delivery and eventual preterm birth, while the mother was in hospital.

FINDINGS

the core category 'inter-adapting' and the following three categories and six subcategories emerged: interacting (communicating with the professional caregivers; keeping the family together through a stressful situation; seeking empowerment during labour and birth); reorganising (arranging for a new family situation); and caring (accepting the restrictions for the health of the fetus; reaching out to the baby and taking part in the care).

KEY CONCLUSIONS

during the mothers' stay in hospital, the most stressful issues experienced were the parents' concern for the baby and the separation from the family. Parents are able to manage the situation by mutually adapting to each other, family members, significant others and caregivers. A new concept 'inter-adapting' therefore emerged.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

for perinatal care, feelings of separation can be reduced and family bonds strengthened through integrating the different wards involved.