The experience of phototherapy in mothers of newborns with neonatal jaundice

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the experience of mothers of newborns with neonatal jaundice undergoing treatment with phototherapy. Method: this is descriptive research with a qualitative approach carried out in a university hospital in the Northeast of Brazil. Data collection was carried out from March to August 2017, through semi-structured individual interviews, with 20 mothers of newborns diagnosed with jaundice and undergoing phototherapy in rooming-in. Data were analyzed using the content analysis technique proposed by Bardin. Results: From the analysis, three thematic categories emerged - understanding about jaundice and phototherapy, perception of maternal care in phototherapy, and support during phototherapy treatment. Social support, faith, playful activities, and optimism for recovery were elements identified as empowering mothers to cope with the treatment. On the other hand, the lack of knowledge about the therapy, the concern with the newborn's health status, the unknown environment with the postponement of going
home, the isolation of the family, and the failure in communication with the team was highlighted as elements that weaken the process. Conclusion: it was concluded that mothers have a deficit of information about the child's therapy, which directly influences the hospitalization period, making it troubled and having an effect of insecurity in caring for the child, with the health team as the essential element in the transmission of information to insert the mother in the care of the newborn and strengthen ties between them.