Premature birth: subjective and psychological experiences in the first weeks following childbirth, a mixed-methods study

Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the experience of premature infants' mothers, the way they are taken care of, how they cope with this traumatic experience as well as the psychopathological and psychosocial consequences post delivery. Method: A qualitative and quantitative study was carried out on 27 women from the south of France area who delivered preterm infants still hospitalised in a neonatal intensive care unit. Two questionnaires were completed, the IES-R and the EPDS, assessing posttraumatic stress and postpartum depressive symptoms. A semi-structured interview was also conducted. Results: Trauma of premature birth and caesarean, feelings of guilt, anxiety, ambivalence towards the infant, the medical staff and the infant's hospital discharge, were all part of their perception. Furthermore, difficulties for mothers to define themselves as such and the importance of sharing with women who have been through the same experience were evidenced. Postpartum depression and posttraumatic stress disorder were also highlighted. Conclusion: Our findings highlight that premature birth can be traumatic and lead to the development of psychopathological symptoms. Moreover, this study suggests the need to develop a specific support focusing on the sharing of experience and prevention in order to prevent disorders from developing.