Experiences of Preterm Newborns’ Mothers Regarding Neonatal Care in Polish Hospitals: A Descriptive Study

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Background Premature birth is a current medical, psychological and socio-economic problem. The study attempted to determine the causes of preterm births and the experiences of mothers of preterm infants and the care they received in Polish hospital wards, as well as to invite the mothers to self-assess their preparation for further childcare. Material and methods The mothers of premature newborns were asked to complete a proprietary questionnaire. The study was conducted in Poland. Results 250 mothers of premature newborns participated in the study. The most common causes of preterm birth among the respondents were premature rupture of the amniotic membranes (n=84; 33.6%). The majority of mothers indicated that the medical staff provided them with support on the ward (n=216; 86.4%). The majority of respondents (n=191; 76.4%) also indicated that they knew what to look out for in their child’s further development when they left the hospital. Conclusions According to the opinions of the majority of participating mothers, the postnatal care provided in the hospital wards was at a satisfactory level. At the same time, a fairly high percentage indicated shortcomings in this respect. There is a need to continuously improve standards so that even more mothers have a sense of being sufficiently cared for.