Abstract

BARROS, Sibelle Maria Martins de; MENANDRO, Paulo Rogério Meira  and  TRINDADE, Zeidi Araujo. Paternal experiences in a neonatal intensive core unit. Psicol. hosp. (São Paulo) [online]. 2006, vol.4, n.2, pp. 1-18. ISSN 2175-3547.

Considering few studies on the role of the father in healthcare situations, the paternal experience during the period of treatment of a premature, newborn child in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was investigated. Five fathers with children undergoing treatment in a NICU of a public hospital were interviewed. The reports were submitted to content analysis. Manifestation of interest and paternal involvement in relation to the situation of their newborn infants were evident. Having the child treated in a NICU for the first time brings suffering for the fathers who are trying to adapt to the new situation, actively reorganizing their daily activities. The data indicated the need to consider transformations in the parental roles, admitting the gender equity in reproductive health and neonatology/pediatrics. Additional studies of fathers in such a contexts might reinforce new practices and bring innovations to the tradition of emphasizing only mother-baby relationships and of attributing care and responsibility exclusively to mothers.

Keywords : Paternity; Neonatal UCI; Premature newborn infant.

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