Being a “Good Parent” to a NICU Infant with a Major Congenital Anomaly

In this study, we explored parents’ decision-making beliefs about what it meant to be a “good parent” in the NICU to an infant with a major congenital anomaly. Mothers shared that being involved and engaged in their care of their infant while in the NICU was important to them feeling like a “good parent.” Parents whose infant had been diagnosed prenatally had slightly different perspectives than parents whose infant had been diagnosed after birth. Both groups of parents rated “putting my child’s needs above my own needs when making healthcare decisions,” “focusing on my child’s health,” and “making sure my child feels loved” as highly important attributes to being a “good parent in the NICU.”

Authors: Melissa Uveges, Jill Hamilton, Britt Pados, Winter Thayer, Pamela Hinds, & Marie Nolan

Publication Information: Advances in Neonatal Care. 2024, 24(1), 14-26. doi: 10.1097/ANC.0000000000001127

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